This 1961 color film WINGS TO BERMUDA, is a profile of the British Colony, and one of a series of Pan Am Airlines travelogues. It’s narrated by Jack Costello and produced by F.D. Kay. It begins with a colorful ‘focus leader’ for the film operator and the opening credits (:06-1:14). The film begins with souvenirs of Bermuda, including a Pan AM bag with Ansco and Kodak film (1:15-1:32). A “Walk Your Horses” metal sign sits above the gate passed in a horse-drawn tour buggy with fringe on the top (1:33-2:09). It passes a police officer in shorts directing traffic (2:10) and other buggies full of tourists (2:11-2:34). The narrow roads are often cut through high cliffs of coral and limestone (2:35-2:55) that open to roads along the ocean (2:56-3:06). The Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the world (3:07-3:13). Bermuda’s reefs are shown from a bird’s eye view (3:14-3:48). Fort Saint Catherine is shown (3:49-4:00). The glimmering beaches contrast with the deep blues of the ocean (4:10-4:20). The car must stop for the world’s smallest drawbridge in action (4:21-5:, 12). A trophy for the Bermuda Goodwill Tournament is shown at the Castle Harbour Golf Club (5:13-6:00). A piece of bread dropped into a pond creates a frantic fish frenzy (6:01-6:17). Out on the water deep-sea fishing, they catch yellow-fin tuna and a snapper, while the captain uses his feet to guide the wheel (6:18-6:55). Sailboats and yachts play in the water, as do power boaters and cruisers. (6:56-7:53). A group of four women water-skiers are pulled up, as men on one ski zip past, and two go over a jump multiple times (7:54-8:22). Individuals go on a bell diving underwater walk to feed the fish by hand (8:23-8:50), while others scuba dive (8:51-9:06), while another paints a picture while at the bottom of the ocean (9:07-9:20). The bell helmet divers are shown close-up petting a fish, another holds a hoop that fish swim through, and two fish appear to be kissing (9:21-9:59). Bermuda has pink sand beaches enjoyed by sunbathers, boys do flips into the water and body surf, a small child with a bucket comes close to the camera, and a pretty blonde in a bikini suns in a rowboat (10:00-11:49). The hotel swimming pools are also enjoyed by tourists, many in bikinis (11:50-13:00). The Pan American jet arrives, and many of its passengers hold hands as they arrive (giving some great 1960s styles of clothing and shoe shots, as well as Pan American travel bags (13:01-13:40). Hamilton, the capital, features many tourists walking past shops with duty-free items, including Scotch (13:41-14:46). Also sold is British China, French and Bermuda perfumes, cashmere clothing, and hats. (14:48-15:24). Unique gold clocks and watches are shown, including one in which a magnet in the head of a turtle swims to the correct time (15:25-15:53). A man photographs a Royal Poinciana tree, followed by a field of Easter lilies (15:54-16:50). Bermuda has interesting round ‘moon’ gates (17:30- 17:50). An island band, ‘The Talbot Brothers’ plays while people dance under the moonlight (18:00-18:50). A banquet buffet of food is shown (18:51-19:50). People cook marshmallows and hang out around a bonfire (19:51-20:56).
The film was directed by F.D. Kay, who also produced two other travel films about Bermuda — 1958’s “This is Bermuda” and 1975’s “Bermuda Moods.” Kay also wrote “6 1/2 Magic Hours”, a Pan Am film featured on our channel.
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