** Repeat screening due to popular demand ***

The Film Archive and the Johnsonville Lions Club are presenting
a programme celebrating the heritage of Wellington's northern suburbs.
The Opening of Ngauranga Gorge in 1938, and From Cow to Cone showing Tip Top factory workers in Johnsoville in the 1950s are just two of various documentary, comedy, home movie and advertising excerpts.

Local pianist David Beattie will be accompanying the silent film. Proceeds go to Wellington Free Ambulance.

Programme details

God Save the Queen

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 WW2, and 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, and an accident results from not paying attention.  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. Tuesday 09/12/1986 (excerpt, 3 mins)
News and talkback on school uniforms. 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”Johnsonville Lions Club

Image credit:  Khandallah School 1964-65