In his “Then and Now” article on our website, Mike Caulkett mentions that while in Bermuda as a young police officer he had taken part in a film to encourage tourism entitled, “The Island Nobody Wanted” in which he appeared as a “bobby” and also as a tourist running into the sea with an attractive young lady. Mike wondered whatever happened to the film, and after reading his article a few days ago John Skinner has informed us that “The Island Nobody Wanted” can now be viewed on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux97p7Mz_8U
I just watched this nostalgic 28 minute film on You Tube and what a revelation it was to see Bermuda as it was in the 1960’s. There are lots of quotes from Mark Twain and clips of Bermuda’s history, but what I really enjoyed were the shots of the Island at the time when I first arrived here in 1964, especially scenes of Front Street which includes a very smart young police constable directing traffic in the birdcage, and helping out a lovely young tourist get her livery cycle started. I know who he is but I wonder how many of our readers will also be able to recognize him! If so, let’s hear from you in the Comments section below.
What is most surprising in the LACK of traffic in Hamilton back then. There are sequences taken on the Island’s beautiful beaches, aerial views, and underwater scenes.
For those of you who know Mike there is no problem picking him out as he re-enacts one duty that unfortunately was no longer required when I arrived in 1964, and that was the issuing of “Green Tickets” to visiting young ladies wearing short shorts.
I heartily recommend that you watch this film and take a trip down memory lane. It concludes with the immortal words of Mark Twain, “You go to heaven if you want to. I’d rather stay here … in Bermuda!”
15th May 2016
Editors note -
I had no idea how many videos there are available on You Tube about Bermuda going back way further that the 1960’s, and up to today.
Two in particular that caught my eye are “Passage to Bermuda 1963” with great scenes of the Island and commentary by the well know American comendian, Jonathan Winters, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bDPRjbCElU
Theere is also a somewhat similar video to “The Island Nobody Wanted” filmed By Pathe Film in 1968, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bURd808Q3I