Opening scene of the Hong Kong chapter (in a 1956 movie)

hkspace_wl
Wed, 08/14/2024 - 14:37
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Opening scene of the Hong Kong chapter (in a 1956 movie)

Around the World in 80 Days is a 1956 adventure-comedy film in Technicolor, based on Jules Verne's classic adventure novel of same name.

This still is from the opening scene about Hong Kong. As from the years of no computer graphics, the original clip is probably from real shots. For the characteristic landscape of Shek Kwu Chau island seen on the left, this location is likely Cheung Chau. Instead of the city areas. 

For the rest of the chapter about Hong Kong, they were likely shot in studios.

Some points of interest

The house at the bottom of the image is with flat roof top. 
Two persons in plain clothes moving on it. The right one may be a woman, carrying a child on her back. Clothes hanging on the roof for drying, looks like ordinary homes.  
An Union Jack is hoisted and waving on a house nearby (appears not hand painted).
What may it be - Distict Office house, Police Station, or others ? Any ideas or suggestions to share ?

Date of this color movie clip :  

If compared with photos of Cheung Chau of the 1950s within gwulo, the houses shown above look older. So possibly it was shot during early 50s or late 40s ?  

 

Date picture taken
1956 (year is approximate)
Gallery
Film stills
Shows place(s)
Cheung Chau [????- ]

Comments

Yes, Cheung Chau Island looking towards Shek Kwu Chau. There is a building to the right of the flag pole with Chinese characters. That may yield a clue.

Thanks to the hint of philk, I tried to explore and met more findings. Surprisingly, the front side of this house with flat roof is even more classic and interesting. [1a]
It is said to be built around 1905. [1b] The address is 91-93 Lai Chi Yuen. This may not be a 'street' in usual sense and not be drawn in usual maps. But apparently it is commonly known among Cheung Chau old residents.
 
The google Street View above was actually dated 2013. Right in front that house is a small stone stairway and a few steps down it, a letter box for Lai Chi Yuen #33-34 could be seen.
#91-93 is adapted inside and used as an elderly home now [2], which had been on #94-95 when the 2013 street view was shot. If we zoom out to a broader view, it may be seen that the numbering of 'Lai Chi Yuen' is neither in order nor contiguous. [3]  e.g. 6A, 81A appears in public info

Lai Chi Yuen 荔枝園 (literally, Lychee Gardens) is said to refer to this area of Cheung Chau, where many lychee trees grown nearby in the old days. [4] #94-95 is a hotel now, its name also starts with Lychee. Meanwhile, #91-93 have changed ownership many times. [4] 

As about the house on the right with six Chinese characters. Houses and streets (alleys) are packed in this isthmus of Cheung Chau, probably not much have changed even after 70 years.
The closest, accessible 'street' to this house with flat roof may be Hok Loo Lane. There is still some Ancestral Hall (58 Hing Lung Back Street) there, well over 100 years old also. But then its relative location does not quite match the one on the film still. 

Probably, only some local experts may tell about the stories in that era, if any. Perhaps.
 

Sources 
1a. clearer pictures of the front view can be seen on facebook (here)
1b. written by same Cheung Chau local and expert, in 2009 (website, in Chinese)  
2. SWD webpage shows related info : https://www.elderlyinfo.swd.gov.hk/en/content/tung-ming-convalescent-home
3. This GIS on HK Heritage is searchable and collates multi-media info in a concise way (site)
    91-93 Lai Chi Yuen are three among the 1444 old buildings assessed and listed by AAB; 
    it was classified as Grade 2 in 2009.
4. ibid, same facebook page of pt. 1a