In a unique opportunity to see Canterbury sights and sounds, faces from the past, and plenty of entertaining southern adventures, the Film Archive presents the Touring Film Show to the Canterbury region from 7 – 13 November.

Titled Canterbury Life 1910 – 1965 this 70-minute programme of short films will be accompanied by live piano and provide a snapshot into Canterbury’s pioneering history that will delight young and old.

Highlights include the opportunity to join Selwyn Toogood taking a “behind the scenes” look at the N.A.C (National Airline Corporation) in the days before Air New Zealand ruled the skies. An entertaining hoon in Model T Fords and Chevvies by the Canterbury Mountainnerring Club through the wild landscape near Arthurs Pass must also be seen to be believed. Captured on film by Tainui Robins, the men do wheelies, traverse rivers, and mountainous terrain. Frequently they need to repair their vehicles and if that is not possible they destroy them. This film contains the most wild antics in the history of New Zealand amateur film making and is accompanied by “Nui” Robins witty commentary, recorded on a lecture tour in the 1970s.

Jane Paul, Manager of Outreach Services at the New Zealand Film Archive has curated the programme, “I looked through hundreds of films and wanted to put together a programme that combined Newsreel clips, documentaries and promotional films, as well as home movies from the Canterbury region. This programme provides a real variety and concentrates on films that have been newly preserved and never seen in Canterbury before.”

The research turned up some surprises including some Newsreel footage of aviator Aroha Clifford, a pioneering woman who in 1929 became the second woman in New Zealand to pass her “A” pilot license. Clifford trained at the Canterbury Aero Club and was the first woman to fly over Cook Strait.

The film clip included in this programme shows Clifford and other women aviators at the Canterbury Aero Club doing manoeuveres and posing for the camera in their leatherjackets and flying helmets. Clifford had plans to fly from England to Australia and bought an Avro Avian in England for that very purpose. However, because of her father’s opposition she was forced to abandon this ambition.

Film footage of the Railways Mystery Tramping Excursions around Canterbury are another treasure. Advertised from 1933 people paid a standard fare to be transported by train to an unknown destination. Upon arrival they were given a map or directed along a route that either led them on a round trip back to their starting point or to another railway station where they were picked up. It was a popular pastime for thousands of people, as seen in the film. Areas such as West Oxford, Waipara and the Scargill District are seen in this stunning footage.

This programme is free for all and is being screened at various locations around the Canterbury region for one week. Follow the links the Events Calendar for more information.

Wed 7 Nov at 6pm – Christchurch Art Gallery

Thursday 8 Nov at 2pm – Hollywood Cinema, Sumner

Friday 9 Nov at 6pm – Oxford Town Hall

Saturday 10 Nov at 6pm - Tai Tapu Town Hall

Sunday 11 Nov at 6pm – Tarawera Community Hall, Springfield

Monday 12 Nov at 8pm – Harbour Light, Lyttelton

Tuesday 13 Nov at 6pm – Gaiety Theatre, Akaroa