G’day there!

So as you can see, I’ve once again chosen to take the easy way out. But to be honest, this week it has less to do with laziness, and more to do with the fact that I’ve had myself a bit of an idea, an epiphany even. It’s always been my desire to be able to contribute multiple posts in the run of a week; however, I always seem to lack the time to devote to such an endeavour, and more often than not I struggle to simply get one post written up. I’m also a huge fan of old film, a medium that stands on its own and takes very little effort (ie. words) to share. Both of those points have inspired me to institute a new weekly feature that will be known as “Film Friday” (the concept formerly presented on occasion as “Lights, Camera, Action”). But here’s the catch: The content for all posts under said masthead will be provided by you, the reader.

Yes, you – at least that’s what I’m hoping, anyway.

The process is really quite simple: You have old film footage. Somewhere. I  know it. I can feel it. And I’m offering you a platform to share it with a wide audience. All you need to do is dig it out and send me an email containing a digital copy of the film (peihistoryguy@gmail.com) or, if it has already been posted somewhere online, provide me a link to said site where I can then embed it here; in addition, I’ll need you to foster whatever context you can to enable me to provide background information. In terms of subject matter, I’m open to just about anything from any time period, so long as it has to do with Prince Edward Island and helps to illustrate the province’s history in some way, shape, or form. Oh, and please note that you must have access to the copyright of any film you submit. I’m a bit too busy at the moment to deal with lawsuits.

So what does it all mean? Well, henceforth publishing on this site shall be as follows: On Friday we watch films. And on another day as yet undecided (Tuesday, maybe?), I do what I’ve been doing  and share what I hope is an interesting, entertaining, possibly even thought-provoking story from the pages of Island history – and you read it. When you add it all up, that equates to twice the content for me, and twice the content for you – ergo, it’s a win-win. Will it work? I don’t know, but dammit, I’m sure as shootin’ gonna give it my best shot. Now I leave it up to you to go forth and spread the word. And send me that film footage. I’m intensely curious to see just what the heck is actually out there.

In the meantime, I’ll take the reins on this one and pick up where we left off last week with another British Pathé full-colour classic, this time of Queen Elizabeth II’s royal visit to the Island in October 1964. As you know, the impetus for her visit was the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, and the official opening of the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Enjoy the show!

Cheers,

PEI History Guy

P.S. – Again, if you recognize anyone please drop me a comment!