For 1935, this is a very good and interesting documentary. MGM actually had a crew sail to Pitcairn Island to film the locale, residents and their activities. All just to make a 10-minute short film. It was as preview in theaters to promote the feature film, "Mutiny on the Bounty."
"Pitcairn Island Today" almost runs like a newsreel that was part of the standard package in theaters through the mid-20th century. It included the short news documentary from around the world, previews of coming shows, and a cartoon. I remember as a kid and teenager back then that we could allow up to 15 minutes after a published show time to get there before the feature film started. That came in handy at times when someone was running late for a date, had car trouble, or couldn't find a parking space close to the theater..
MGM did a good job researching for the documentary, and lining up some of the people for the shooting. It's very interesting seeing the descendants of some of the HMS Bounty mutineers, more than 150 years after the mutiny. They have the surnames of Christian. McCoy, Young, Warren and Clark. Carey Wilson narrates the film.
The population of Pitcairn Island peaked at 233 in 1937. "Mutiny on the Bounty" brought considerable tourist trade to the small island for many years. But, in time, the population began to emigrate, especially to New Zealand. While it eventually became part of a British colony, the population by 2022 had declined to 50.
This film focuses on the survival, development, social growth and success of the people who have lived on Pitcairn since 1790. But the island's history reveals a quite different picture and makes for interesting reading. After the 1790 landing by nine Bounty mutineers and 21 Tahitians, the residents enjoyed a short period of calm and peace as they settled in. But feuding soon broke out, and through the mid-19th century, the island history was raucous and bloody.
"Pitcairn Island Today" almost runs like a newsreel that was part of the standard package in theaters through the mid-20th century. It included the short news documentary from around the world, previews of coming shows, and a cartoon. I remember as a kid and teenager back then that we could allow up to 15 minutes after a published show time to get there before the feature film started. That came in handy at times when someone was running late for a date, had car trouble, or couldn't find a parking space close to the theater..
MGM did a good job researching for the documentary, and lining up some of the people for the shooting. It's very interesting seeing the descendants of some of the HMS Bounty mutineers, more than 150 years after the mutiny. They have the surnames of Christian. McCoy, Young, Warren and Clark. Carey Wilson narrates the film.
The population of Pitcairn Island peaked at 233 in 1937. "Mutiny on the Bounty" brought considerable tourist trade to the small island for many years. But, in time, the population began to emigrate, especially to New Zealand. While it eventually became part of a British colony, the population by 2022 had declined to 50.
This film focuses on the survival, development, social growth and success of the people who have lived on Pitcairn since 1790. But the island's history reveals a quite different picture and makes for interesting reading. After the 1790 landing by nine Bounty mutineers and 21 Tahitians, the residents enjoyed a short period of calm and peace as they settled in. But feuding soon broke out, and through the mid-19th century, the island history was raucous and bloody.