Khandallah and Johnsonville on Film

Khandallah and Johnsonville on Film

A programme celebrating the heritage of Wellington's northern suburbs.

The Opening of Ngauranga Gorge (1938), and From Cow to Cone (showing Tip Top factory workers in Johnsonville in the 1950s) are just two of various documentary, comedy, home movie and advertising excerpts to be shown.

Part of the Film
Show Wellington series of three film programmes that look back at the vitality of life in different Wellington suburbs as time goes by. Local pianist David Beattie will accompany the silent film on the programme.

Beattie has taught piano and music theory in Wellington since 1988, and also conducts choirs. He has provided piano accompaniment for silent film screenings across New Zealand - including for the Wellington Film Society, the Opotiki Silent Film Festival, and screenings in Oamaru and Waimate.

He chanced upon his first job playing the piano to accompany a film in 2000, stepping in when someone had become unavailable to play for the Wellington Film Society’s showing of The Birth of a Nation (1915) in 2000. While preparing the score for this film he found out that his paternal Grandmother, Jane Beattie, had played for the movies in the 1920s in his home town of Oamaru.

“Fate, and a family tradition had finally called me!” Beattie recalls.

Programme details
Opening Ceremony for Ngauranga Gorge (1938, 2 mins) Crowds gather in front of a podium beside the Ngauranga Gorge Road. Various dignitaries address the crowd and a woman cuts a ribbon to open the highway. Wedding of Denzil & Margaret Brown (1951, 3 mins)

This amateur film was made by EJ Brown of his son’s wedding to Marget McKenzie. Marget recalled recently that the wedding was just 6 years after the end of World War II - this fact, combined with the bride’s Scottish family, made it a “sensible” wedding. Sensible in the way that the bride and her sisters made their own dresses, the bride’s mother did the flowers in church and the reception was held mid-afternoon in the Presbyterian Church Hall, Khandallah.

Khandallah School (1964 - 65)
Khandallah School children assembled in the play ground and at work in their class rooms. Children play softball, rugby and perform gymnastics.

From Cow to Cone - The Tip Top Story (1950s, excerpt, 8 mins) The manufacture of Tip Top ice cream is explained. The film is set at the Tip Top factory in Johnsonville. Camera: C.K. Townsend

New Zealand Soundscenes. The Bigger they are the Harder they Fall (1933, 7 mins) An early newsreel with sound recorded by Jack Welsh and cinematography by Lee Hill and Rudall Hayward. Items include: the demolition of a 165 foot chimney at Johnsonville to make way for a new road, a promotion for a caravan, the First Air Ambulance in Wellington, the Second Antarctic Expedition with Admiral Byrd, slimming on Milford Beach and Australian lady swimmers demonstrating spectacular “Jazz” stroke.

Power from the River (1947, excerpt, 6 mins) A rousing Government film on the use of electricity in the home, on the farm and in the factory. This excerpt shows the Wellington Control Room, the 2YA Radio Station, and scenes set at the Wellington Railway Station including a pushy Selwyn Toogood rushing to get onto the next train to Johnsonville. Also includes a snippet of the National Symphony Orchestra and the “Peter Pan Cabaret.”

Powdered Sunshine (1952, excerpt 5 mins)

The ideal 1950s housewife is instructed by Aunt Daisy on how to make a milky jam pudding. Made by Robert Steele Motion Picture Productions for Anchor Milk Company.

Shell Oil. Go, Go, Go with ICA (advertisement, 1959) Colour animation from Morrow productions.

Caltex IC Plus Petrol Flying Saucer (advertisement, 1960s) Spectacular animation by Pacific Films. Jockey Underwear (advertisement, 1960s) Starring actor Peter Harcourt, “what the well dressed man wears next to his skin.” The Courtesy Club (1961, 10 mins) Cast: Tom Tymons, Len Heatley and members of the Wellington Vintage Car Club

and Lions Club. Produced by John O’Shea for Pacific Films.

An instructional film on road safety and the Courtesy Club, which promotes courteous driving habits. A group of Australian tourists are met by a man driving a vintage car, and shown around Wellington, where driving habits leave a lot to be desired. A man takes home movie footage in the car as his wife is driving, resulting in an accident. The modern tempo is too hurried and pushy, and we need to get back to the days of courtesy. The Wellington Vintage Car Club agrees to the idea of a “courtesy club” demonstrating good driving, reminding people of a friendliness on the roads. The vehicles display a “Courtesy is Contagious” badge. The campaign gets support from the Minister of Transport, Mr McAlpine. Rinso Soap Powder (advertisement, 1960s) The classic 60s housewife in this well-remembered ad.

Dale Slacks and Shorts (advertisement, 1960s)

Drip dry, boys by the pool and in the pool! Toehold on the Harbour (1966, 10 mins) A colourful impression of Wellington city, hills, winding streets, busy people and strong winds. Produced by the National Film Unit. Toyota Corolla -The Toyota Investment (advertisement, 1972) “Toyota - drive in it, believe in it.” Shows Lambton Quay and the Wellington motorway, a film crew and people driving Toyota cars. “The very name makes their heart beat faster...” Newsline, 9/12/1986 (excerpt, 3 mins) News and talkback on school uniforms. Features Neil Pitches (Principal, Onslow College). Tip Top Icecream. Tip Top Girl (advertisement, 1980s) A 1950s love story.

A small town girl leaves Hollywoood to come back home to the Tip Top man. “It’s the icecream of your dreams.” Features the Johnsonville Lions Club.

The Khandallah and Johnsonville on Film programme will screen at 7pm Thursday through Saturday, 17 - 19 October. At The Film Archive, 84 Taranaki St, Wellington. Image Credit: Khandallah School (1964-65). David Beattie rehearses a silent film score. David’s grandmother, Jane Beattie, the first movie pianist in the family.

ENDS

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