TOPICAL BUDGET 278-1 [Main Title]

II. Robust fun and games in the Belgian Army.

I. A French priest blesses artillery shells just before they are fired.

III. Cattle at the King's farm at Sandringham.

IV. Convalescent sailors feed Christmas turkeys.

I. 'BLESSING THE SHELLS. A French Priest blesses the shells as they are loaded into the famous seventy-five' (sic) guns used by the French Artillery.' Bearded priest holding a crucifix, makes a benediction over a shell held by a soldier - the shell is then loaded, and as the priest holds his cross aloft and pointing in the general direction of the enemy, the gun is fired. After a second shot the gun crew stop, obviously responding to some order from the cameraman, and all look to camera, including the priest. After a pause the firing continues for another couple of shots and then - again prompted from offscreen - the priest crosses himself and the guncrew follow suit.

II. 'OFFICIAL BELGIAN FILM. BELGIAN SOLDIERS' PILLOW FIGHT. The Belgian soldiers have adopted some of Tommies" (sic) games, and take part in a pillow fight which causes huge amusement.' A group of soldiers stand in front of a house watching two of their compatriots. Both of the 'players' are blindfolded, one holding a tin cup, the other a weighted bag. The one with the cup taps on it to lead the other on, and when contact is made, the man with the bag uses it to belabour his companion. To add to the fun there are a series of holes and trenches dug in the ground, into which the two blindfolded men stumble continually. Cut to two men sitting facing each other astride a beam. After shaking hands they commence hitting each other with bags until one falls off - he gets back on only to be knocked off again. The next time both men fall off simultaneously. Onlookers appear amused. The fight resumes and the unlucky man is again the loser. 'OFFICIAL BELGIAN FILM. NEW WAR GAME. A favourite pastime of the Belgian soldiers. Two men are strapped together and endeavour to use one anothers hands, resulting in a real mix up.' One man sits at a table, wearing his jacket reversed, his arms not in the sleeves but close against his body, his hands inside boots which rest on the table in imitation of feet. A second man crouches behind, his arms thrust into the jacket sleeves - the hidden man plays with the front man's hat, attempts to get him to drink from a wine bottle and use a pair of fake cardboard binoculars. At the end of the show, onlookers unbutton the man's coat and the hidden performer emerges.

III. 'CHRISTMAS CATTLE. Some of the famous Angus-Dexter bullocks that are reared on the King's cattle farms at Sandringham, these are sold to grace the table on Christmas Day.' A land girl leads out a bullock from its stall. Two more follow. MS (and slightly blurred) pan and MCUs of the girls and their charges.

IV. 'TURKEYS FOR H.M.S. LION. Convalescent sailors at Brooksby Hall feeding the turkeys. Two 'Gobblers' having acquired the Naval fighting instinct have to be separated by the Matron.' Turkeys in a field are fed by sailors, including a number of amputees. Two of the birds fall to fighting to the amusement of the sailors. The two birds - one pecking the neck of the other - are stilled locked in combat when the sequence ends, before the intervention of the matron.

35mm