Aboard ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 1950's
Thomas Cook promotional film Opening sequence: Alistair Cooke voice over starts with an animated globe of the world alluding to the fact that four-fifths of the world is covered in water. A rather grandiose beginning continues with reference to the historical context of sea travel and its beginnings a thousand years ago.. Still paintings of Leif Eriksson and his Viking comrades setting out on their voyage across the North Atlantic. Close up of painting of Christopher Columbus. Cooke continues with his potted history of sea exploration and travel over a map showing the routes of travel between Europe and eastern shore of the U.S.A. Painting of a clipper ship with three masts. Painting of Samuel Cunard who envisaged a regular line which could carry passengers on steam ships in safety on time regardless of wind or weather. On 4th July 1840 the first regular Cunard liner, Britannia, sailed on her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Halifax in Boston. Painting of this ship accompanies the voice-over. Cunard steam ship headquarters in Liverpool with the distinctive flag of the company on a flagpole. Mauritania ship, Britannia ship. Media and Parthia ships. Samaria ship docked at quayside. Coronia ship. Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Illustrated map of UK showing Southampton and Cherbourg both starting points for the Queens Elizabeth and Mary. Other ships of the fleet serve Liverpool Cobh and Le Havre, also shown on map. Cunard offices exterior in Lower Regent Street with Routemaster bus passing by. Model of Queen Elizabeth in shop window in Regent Street is looked at by a young boy and his mother. Cunard Line office in centre of Paris. Panning shot of Cunard offices interior with travel agent discussing details of travel with customers cabin accommodation. Map showing different types of cabin available in tourist, cabin or first class travel. Illustrated map showing destinations of ships, including Halifax, New York and Montreal in Quebec. Very good shot of exterior of boat train at Waterloo with passengers standing outside Pullman wagons waiting at station. Sign for Cunard Line "The Cunarder". Queen Elizabeth. Good shot of the Cunarder. The first express train designed to carry Cunard passengers. The train pulls out of Waterloo station and is seen arriving at Southampton Ocean terminal. Passengers look at one of the ships tied up at Quayside (two funnels visible). A bell boy wearing maroon uniform, cap and gloves carries luggage for two passengers along a corridor into a first class room. Panning shot of first class cabin showing opulent decoration with wood panelling throughout. Passengers line the decks to wave farewell. Tugs dwarfed by the huge ship move into position. Exterior of ship with word Elizabeth clear. Rigging and crow's nest which look incongruous and of an earlier seagoing time. Mechanised gangway is removed and the ropes are let go. The Queen Elizabeth is ready to sail. Close up of controls on bridge of ship. Close-up of funnel with steam rising and horn blaring. Passengers wave goodbye to their friends as the ship moves off. Friends on shore wave back. A sailor moves the controls as the ship moves away aided by tug boats at slow ahead speed. Down Southampton water. Panning shot of this 1000ft long ship. Passengers enjoy a cigarette on the ship on deck. Cherbourg train station where passengers from Paris arrive and join the ship. People line the quays at Cherbourg harbour. Direction signs for the main deck: Shops, barber and beauty parlour. Prom deck: Shops, travel bureau, public rooms and library. A passenger points to the handy deck plan. Passengers enter on of the thirty five lifts which serve the fourteen decks. Panning shot of the purser's office. Radio telegram office. Our two elderly passengers scan the passenger lift. A woman hands over some dresses to a cabin boy. Brief shot of bedroom. Panning shot of three men getting their hair cut at barbers. A woman admires her hair in the beauty salon. A shoe shine in smart uniform cleans shoes. A couple are served breakfast in bed by two servants. Behind them an ornate screen can be seen. Close up of the Ocean Times printed overnight on the ship. Close up of a white bakelite telephone. Women operators at telephone exchange. A woman talks on her phone. A couple take the air on the broad decks. Passengers enjoy the sun on comfortable deckchairs. Cabin class sports deck. Broad tourist class deck. A man photographs two friends reclining in chairs. Veranda grille high up on deck where passengers enjoy a view of the sea with their lunch.
On board dining and games.