This promotional film presented by Pan American Airways System, PAA, describes the ideal vacation destination of Nassau in The Bahamas. The 70-minute journey from Miami to Nassau in a DC-3 airplane allows Americans to travel to this paradise with ease. This film from the 1940s was photographed and produced by Palmer Miller and Curtis F. Nagel and narrated by Clyde Kittell.
The film begins with travelers boarding the DC-3 airplane tail # NC 28301 (00:39). The plane takes off (00:59). An overview of Miami city and the coastline (01:22). The aircraft flies over the Gulf Stream (02:13) and reveals the tropical scene of The Bahamas (03:04). The airplane lands and the passengers exit (03:57). Footage of the rich, turquoise waters of Nassau (04:31) and a historical fort dating back to when the island was seized by pirates (04:48). The waterfront shows the native life and sailboats transporting imports and exports (05:27). Local women are weaving wicker into baskets and hats (06:05). Trade goods are sold to tourists and locals at a market (06:19). The streets of Nassau shows a slower lifestyle with bicycles, horse carriages, and nearly no cars (06:48). A colorful floral backdrop decorates the city (07:18). Large, luxurious hotels with ocean views and inviting pools are sited along the beach (08:23). Guests are dining under parasols and live musicians entertaining (08:54). By the Government House, policemen are marching in white uniforms (08:59). Travelers gather to get a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess on the steps of a church (09:19). At the “Paradise Beach” visitors are enjoying the sunny beach (10:13). Boat racing, a popular sport on Nassau, provides activities for both locals and tourists (10:51). Other activities are golfing at the Bahama’s Country Club (11:49), waterskiing on the beach and through the canals of New Providence (12:27), and going deep-water fishing for tuna and Marlin (13:57). Using a small fish as bait, a man catches a marlin after an exhausting two-hour battle (16:31). A seaside village portrays the former slave-grounds and plantains, now populated by free locals living in modest huts (16:50). Young girls make jewelry from fish scales and seashells, by painting them with bright pigments (17:42). A popular item of export are sponges in many shapes and sizes, also used by Bahamian residents (18:58). “Treasure Island” near Nassau preserves history with a replica fort and wood carved figures from the era of piracy (19:31). Sign for Fort Jack McCutcheon (20:00). At another small island, a colony of flamingos and their fledglings make for a unique sight (21:47). Mud-mounts in shallow water function as nests for the flamingos’ eggs (22:25). The sun sets over The Bahamas (22:56), and the DC-3 aircraft takes off to conclude this promotional film by PAA (23:38).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
