Singapore 1914 -1918 Governor Sir Arthur Henderson Young

Singapore Governor Sir Arthur Henderson Young presents War Honours in Singapore. 1914-1918. Captain Sir Arthur Henderson Young, GCMG KBE (1854 – 20 October 1938) was a British colonial administrator. He was the son of Colonel Keith Young. For six months in 1895, and for lesser periods in 1898, 1900, and 1904, Young administered the Government of Cyprus. In 1902, he went on a special mission to St. Vincent in the West Indies. He was posted as the Colonial Secretary of the Straits Settlements in 1906 until he became the British High Commissioner in Malaya and Governor of the Straits Settlements. British Pathe © 1988

Singapore 1913 Fire Walking at the Theemithi Festival

By Rosemarie John – A swarm of bare chested Hindu devotees, jasmine flowers adorned on women clad in bright lemon yellow sarees and the beat of drums fill the elaborately lantern-lit part of Chinatown. Situated in the heart of Singapore’s Chinese roots, is the Sri Mariamman Temple that plays host to the annual Fire Walking (Theemithi) Festival in honour of Princess Draupadi. Known for her struggles portrayed in the Sanskrit epic Mahabaratha (400 BCE) and also considered the reincarnation of the Goddess Mariamman by South Indians, the Tamil version of the epic dating circa 1400 CE includes apotheosis to the powerful Goddess as Draupadi’s innocence and chastity is proved by walking barefoot over hot coals.

Singapore 1930 with Arthur and Kate Tode

An unedited travelogue film by Arthur and Kate Tode, a visit to Singapore during the British colonial period. Beginning with harbor shots, moves in to Singapore proper, showing the cityscape as of 1930. Arthur Monroe Tode (1894-1966), and Kate Eisig Tode (1905-1990), who christened their films with the combined nickname "Kahop" (Kate +"Hop") were great 20th century travelers and avid film amateurs who documented their journeys, and edited them with inter-titles perhaps to be shown at parties or meetings of their clubs. The Tode travelogues begin with their honeymoon in the 1920's. Penn Museum © 1938

Singapore 1938 Cross Roads of the East

Directed by André de la Varre, in association with Paul Devlin& In his prolific career as a cameraperson and travel filmmaker, André de la Varre a.k.a ‘The Screen Traveler’, created a copious amount of short subject documentaries, including work done for Burton Holmes (a renown travel film lecturer who first coined the term ‘travelogue’ back in 1904.) Among them, his independently produced travelogue of Singapore in 1938 was an 11-minute piece that worked well as a simple introduction to the British colony. It was perhaps most useful as an information guide for potential travelers and tourists. Screen Traveler Picture Film © 1938

Singapore 1957 Steps to Financial Hub of South East Asia

The Housing and Development Board (HDB), the national housing authority, was formed in February 1960, taking over housing responsibilities from its predecessor, the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT). HDB embarked on a massive programme to house the many people living in squatter settlements. Now, more than 80 per cent of Singapore’s population live in HDB flats. Singapore's first estate, Queenstown, was initiated by SIT in the 1950s but was fully developed by HDB. The second town, Toa Payoh, was the first to be planned and designed by HDB. There are now 23 towns across Singapore. David Marshall, leader of the Labour Front, became the first Chief Minister of Singapore. Singapore Steps to Financial Hub of South East Asia © 1957

Singapore 1957 The Lion City

A visit to Singapore in 1957. The life of Singapore and variety provided by the many different cultures which find expression there. One of the most popular stories in Singapore's history is the tale of how it earned the nickname of The Lion City. In 1299 there was a Prince named Sang Nila Utama. He was the emperor of the Srivijayan Empire, which included Malaysia, Singapore and all of Sumatra. One day, he decided that his empire needed a new capital and set sail with a number of ships to visit the islands off the coast of Sumatra. After several days at sea, he stopped his fleet at an island for a hunting trip. Singapore Unforgettable Lion City © 1957

Singapore 1950-1960 Development of the City

On 25 May 1961, a massive fire in Bukit Ho Swee left thousands homeless. "Operation Shift" began, in a move to place over 1000 affected families to HDB flats in Queenstown, Tiong Bahru, Alexandra and Kallang area from the relief centre. The Bukit Ho Swee area was redeveloped and flats were built in a record nine months later. In 1961 Official opening of the first phase of the new Bukit Ho Swee housing estate by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, in September. He told Bukit Ho Swee fire victims that within a year they will be housed in flats on the site of the disastrous fire. The first completed blocks of flats, containing one-room, semi-communal units, are all occupied by fire victims. Singapore Development of the City © 1957

Singapore Impression Contrast 1977

Kampongs, Downtown, Chinatown, Little India, Singapore River, Harbour, Botanical Garden, Chinese Garden, Tiger Balm Garden, Mt. Faber, Sentosa Island and more other places. Singapore Impression Contrast © 1977

Singapore Awakening 1983

The movie shows awakening of Singapore and its hard-working people get out of their beds for their daily tasks. In this case, it is the well-known Goh Seng Lai firm employees that start constructing a platform at North Boat Quay for a forthcoming celebration. The lorry's journey starts at Duxton Hill where the restaurant Broth is, turns right to Duxton Road where there's an open-air carpark on the right & a Chinese hostess/KTV bar on the left. It continues down Duxton where there are tons of pubs, a 7-11 on the left & Berjaya Hotel on the right before exiting Duxton at its intersection with Craig Road where you can see the bottom of a block of flats where Toof dental clinic is now. Music: “The Vegetables Fainted and the Cantonese Drunk". Ronni Pinsler © 1983

Chronicle of Singapore 1959-2009

50 Years of Headline News. The Chronicle of Singapore captures the full dramatic sweep of Singapore’s evolution over the past 50 years. It is a living account of the nation’s history from 1959 to 2009, told in TV News format. The film encapsulates the essence of Singapore distilled from gripping news stories on politics, nation-building, defence, economy and education, but equally, it covers less weighty but significant aspects of Singapore life: violent crime, great sporting moments, salacious scandals, high culture and pop culture, risqué entertainment, alternative lifestyles and more, and retells real-life stories that have made Singapore what it is today. Chronicle of Singapore © 1959-2009