The film Valley of Eagles (on the Savoy poster) was released in 1952. Also the contract for the upgrade of the Municipal buildings and car park was signed December 1949; the works took over a year, and included the nasty rendered concrete block wall around the car park; this has been replaced by a much better stone wall, though not as good as the original estate stone walling. So I would say 1952, yes.
I am curious to note that the mayor (in cloth cap) and mayoress are standing at Swan s as the procession passes; the marching style appears to be one of a slow march, a memorial perhaps? I have recently had sight of this and have not yet fully assessed it, before it appeared here. A key point is the alteration to Alfred Smith s shop front, which ties in with Stanhope Forbes painting.
Same thoughts wondered through my mind, but did townships hold a memorial cortege when the Cortege itself was in London? The carpark holds some 'swanky' vehicles of civic dignitary and landowners. It certainly is a slow march, and it appears to me to be continued from the Municipal forecourt. I wish I could get a sharper scan. Maybe identify the units represented and the COs. Get a better fix on date perhaps than 1952. I cannot help wondering why the mayor was not in the procession.
Can anyone identify the second film on the billboard? Not Charge of the Light Brigade surely, there were two, 1936 with Errol Flynn and 1968. The title appears too long in any event.
Due to the distribution system at the time a newly released film could take as much as six months to get a showing in Penzance. My guess is that the Savoy’s billboard is advertising two films released in 1951 – a British film “Valley of Eagles” (released London 26 Sept) and maybe “Mark of the Renegade”. The parade was possibly in remembrance of King George Sixth, who was buried 15 February 1952. Just past are the local sea cadets with C.P.O. Bishop bringing up the rear.
It should be noted that what appears to be a low turnout in number for the army cadets is because, at the time, they had a large and excellent bugle band which probably lead the procession.
I have vague memories of this parade where they marched to the beat of a muffled drum, I dont think its
the mayor wearing a cloth cap, he would have been with
the mace bearers and other dignitaries of the borough
council. I must agree the local army cadets had a fine
bugle band if I remember right the name of the drum
major was Godfrey Gendall ??
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