THE GOVERNMENT Information Service (GIS) was given responsibility for the operations of this country’s mobile cinema when the Audio Visual Aids Department was renamed the Media Resource Department and brought into being by an Act of Parliament in 1969.
But the Mobile Cinema’s local origin dates back to the period of World War ll, with the arrival in Barbados of Englishman Howard Hayden, who came here in October 1943 to assume duties as Director of Education.
He introduced visual aids to this country’s teaching process.
The Visual Education Film Unit, organised as a sub-section of the Department of Education, started its operations in 1950 as a component of the Visual Aids Education section and worked in collaboration with the Mobile Cinema.
Its first film: Give your child a chance, was produced in 1951 and besides catering to the visual aids needs of schools, the Mobile Cinema was a source of entertainment to communities across Barbados.
Increasing costs and other socio-economic factors have put a hold on Mobile Cinema shows, but the facility is still available to individuals or organisations willing to foot the bill, now in the vicinity of $3 500, for the service.
The Mobile Cinema’s last two showings were at Independence Square in November last year and at King George V Park, St Philip, during this year’s Crop Over festival.
Gaile Fingall, a resident of Bayfield, St Philip, recounts her experience attending mobile cinema shows at neighbouring St Mark’s.
The quiet little fishing village of Bayfield came alive; excitement was in the air as news spread: “Mobile Cinema’s coming to St Mark’s School pasture!’
Everybody was happy. We had no cinema, TV, IPod, cell-phone, or satellite dish. The culture dictated that every fortnight the mobile cinema would set up huge screens in rural districts. It was an event looked forward to by all and one that brought the community together. Camaraderie was at its height.
The whole village was transformed; problems and hard-times put aside, as villagers trekked to the mobile cinema’s venue, leaving their homes unattended without fear of intruders.
I remember it like yesterday. I can still see the joy on people’s faces; hear the clatter of their feet and chatter of voices, as travelling neighbors called out to each other to ensure they were ready for the movie night’s trek. I can still hear my best friends, Esther, Elma, Eleanor and Hazel, calling out: “Gaile you ready?”
We all put on our sweaters to protect our tiny bodies from the night’s chill. We chatted and laughed merrily as we journeyed over the long, dark, lonely road and up the hill. When we arrived at St Mark’s, we were greeted by friends and residents from Blades Hill and surrounding areas.
The pasture was packed; everybody was on ‘cloud nine’. Then the movie started. One of the favourites was the Bud and Lou comedy. Talk about action and licks galore.
There was merriment all around. Everyone enjoyed the mobile cinema’s show. After the presentation we would happily make our way back to our various homes, a bit sleepy, but re-counting the action of the night’s drama, eagerly awaiting the next mobile cinema’s visit.
