Getting There Is Half The Fun (1950s)

[@eduardo_corrochio]

It's really good that material like this is preserved here on the web.

[@rileywilliams9799]

These beautiful liners were truly the ultimate embodiment of grace and elegance at sea. They possessed an aura that today's gaudy neon boxes so sadly lack.

[@cats0182]

"Today's gaudy neon boxes" are fun palaces; that's what they're designed for. Ocean liners like the QE, etc. were modes of transportation, designed to get you across the Atlantic; they were the only way to go. Comparing the two is irrelevant and impossible.

[@EuSeiT]

Riley, I agree with you 100%. They are neon boxes. The QE was not merely a mode of transportation. It embodied charm, which the neon boxes lack.

[@adamjones2025]

@@EuSeiT Same i would rather sail on one of these grand old ladies (sadly not possible now) as modern ships is just jam-packed full of people no class no style anymore.

[@danieldmyers]

Cats01 fun palaces for children, perhaps, where they’re permitted to run amok in any and every section of a ship that looks like it was designed by them and for them.

[@judithschmeider1470]

The three current cunarders are more classic and queen Mary 2 is built for the ocean

[@jynxjynx3068]

I am old enough and fortunate enough to have sailed on both Queens. In late September 1967, I was aboard the Queen Mary sailing eastward. My parents got me up about 2:00 am to see the Queen Elizabeth pass us on her way to New York. I was told it was the last time this would happen. It seemed as if the two ships were not but a hundred feet from each other. It was a fantastic sight.

[@1940limited]

Company policy required them to stay 10 miles apart at sea but sometimes circumstances negated that rule.

[@JulieWallis1963]

Jynx Jynx what a lovely memory you have there. I’m hoping to be on the Queen Mary 2 in December h2021 (Covid willing etc) returning to the uk from New York. It’s nice you realise you are fortunate to have sailed, I hope you still get to enjoy time at sea. I love being onboard. My husband says I must have some saltwater in my veins.

[@edwardoneil3962]

Must have been a wonderful experience 😀

[@edwardoneil3962]

@@JulieWallis1963 good luck 😀

[@adamjones2025]

Simpler times oh do i wish for those days again, bring back these wonderful ships, people being nice to each other and when people knew what manners were just wish i could have lived in times that made sense. Today's world is nothing but complete chaos, drama filled, everybody can't live without the phones for more than 5 minutes.

[@rexpositor6741]

Adam Jones Agree. Trump destroyed class in America.

[@JulieWallis1963]

Adam Jones those wonderful ships still exist!

[@fortisfortunaadiuvat9262]

@@rexpositor6741 Let’s discuss how he destroyed anything shall we, a friendly debate Then let’s discuss how in the last eight months since Biden the economy has turned to total crap Shall we begin it will be fun But remember only facts, no emotions ok

[@paulp592]

@@fortisfortunaadiuvat9262are you serious right now. Vote blue and send the psychopathic hateful criminal to jail where he belongs. Go get your teeth fixed trumper loser

[@TheTransatlanticExchange]

What a glorious vintage tribute to Cunard and especially to the great Queen Elizabeth. She was a gorgeous ship and so underrated, given the attention more typically lavished on her elder sister, Queen Mary. Thankfully, the latter is still with us. For a living tribute to this great ship, Cunard's latest MV Queen Elizabeth gives her predecessor a fitting recogition that has been long overdue. Thank you for uploading this wonderful video.

[@TheVaughan5]

+Bruce B Chin Unfortunately the new Q.E. is like a kitschy shopping mall compared to the original. I've been on board both and there is absolutely no comparison. The bad colour and photography don't give any idea of the quality of this ship. The golden age of ocean liners is long past, sorry to say, but at least the name lives on, though it's a poor tribute regrettably.

[@boataxe4605]

Not naming her QE 3 is not fitting recognition!

[@kohl57]

Kipling wrote that "Transportation is Civilisation". Watching this, one appreciates both have receded in the 65 years since this film was produced.

[@markabbott3936]

I got to visit this Queen in 1969, when she was docked for months at Ft Lauderdale -- and was still in pretty gorgeous shape. The owners of that era had it open for visitors daily, with a brief guided tour of various rooms (esp. restaurant, bars, shops) followed by open-air wandering of some of the decks. Sheer luck that I caught that, as I wasn't local to So Fla. and just happened to be visiting the area one weekend. Besides the fantasic wood and furnishings, I was just boggled by the *size* of the vessel.

[@petercook7977]

During the second world war this majestic lady outran the U Boats and was considered to be the safest ship afloat.American servicemen and women were transported to the European war theatre in complete safety and after the ear were transported back home in this beautiful ship! Of happy memory

[@1940limited]

Too bad those owners couldn't make a go if it.

[@boataxe4605]

g bridgman They wanted to operate her as a hotel, but the Ft. Lauderdale fire marshal would not allow overnight accommodations as he believed that she was a firetrap, he was right.

[@markabbott3936]

@@boataxe4605 , thanks for that info. Since I didn't live in So. Fla. at the time, I missed that news. What a pity the QE didn't have a better end, but that fire marshal sure was proved prescient.

[@edwardoneil3962]

What an experience oh to be rich in those days. It must have been wonderful 😀❤😀

[@RogerinKC]

The horse race was absolutely the most exciting event I have ever witnessed!

[@JulieWallis1963]

Daniel De saint malo some cruise ships still do have shuffleboard and Quoits! 🤦‍♀️ What’s with this snobbery that suddenly everyone has to hate 🛳 a

[@gtlfb]

This ship was a happy median between the somewhat blowsy style of the Queen Mary and the intimidating chic of the Normandie. Does it seem that adults were somehow more, well, adult then?

[@63bplumb]

Recently several "Adults" in the same family were finally arrested for fist fighting in the Disney Park. The video is every where. They look like idiots! No Adults in THAT group!

[@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices]

@@63bplumb I watched the vid. Its absolutely madness.

[@1940limited]

Some of the girls sure were beautiful.

[@sadiedavenport]

I would so much rather travel like this. I've always enjoyed flying, but there's just no question that crossing the ocean in a luxury liner is superior. Thank goodness Cunard still provides this service.

[@tyroniousyrownshoolacez2347]

16:48, ole blue top be diggin her own cruise! Ride em girl! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@aaronharris8280]

Oh behave 🤣

[@joeanthonybernal6320]

Dammmnnnnn

[@adamjones2025]

@@aaronharris8280 Was funny however

[@1940limited]

Absolutely fabulous. It sure beats airplanes and smart phones.

[@snakedmg10]

great film!!

[@RyanTheRandom]

10:12 Anyone know what song they used for that? I LOVE it!!! A very exciting tune for a great departure aboard a Cunard Queen!

[@EnchantmentOfTheSea1]

This sure was the finest way to cross the pond. Sure, both Queens rolled quite a lot. Yet the difference between the ships of today (QM2) lack the full treatment of a era long gone, It's a treat to see how my grandparents traveled. Our family sailed on both Queen's, and the Queen Mary was the family favorite. I'd love to have sailed on the Elizabeth, as I sailed on the Mary when I was 7 years old (To Long Beach) Sadly we don't cross/cruise the way is was. People didn't have the brainless activities that the QM2, et al have today. People dressed and lived differently. Perhaps that was the best of times for crossings

[@Playstationnationalist]

Very true

[@RiverDanube]

The QM2 is a beautiful liner.

[@boataxe4605]

This was way ahead of its time by mentioning that Lief Eirkson was here before Columbus.

[@smallstudiodesign]

Not really. Depends on your school system. And your country.

[@mitchdakelman4470]

Excellent production -- I communicated with John Bransby, many years ago, who produced this film. He did a lot of travel promotional films in the 1940s and 1950s

[@1940limited]

He did excellent work.

[@edwardoneil3962]

What a joy of a job to have especially in those days.

[@veronicalake4140]

Good old days.

[@egmjag]

Yes, definitely! With a classy actress like you, days suddenly become good again.

[@simplysusan87]

somehow I believe I was in the 50s even though I was born in 87. I watch black and white movies I love them. I still have problems with technology

[@stevedow5842]

You are the most intelligent person of your generation!!!

[@edwardoneil3962]

You were probably reincarnated 😀

[@boataxe4605]

The Queen had a gay spot in the Veranda grill! My how the meanings of words have changed! Lol

[@1940limited]

Yes, gay was happy back then.

[@mescko]

@@1940limited Still is AFAIC.

[@nikolaykrotov8673]

The word has been co-opted by the homosexual crowd. What a shame.

[@stever4181]

@@nikolaykrotov8673 Just like God's rainbow

[@archdukehamburgervononionr1948]

Yep, they call it a broiler now

[@oscillation9814]

Does anyone have any idea what the name of the music the starts at 32:16 is? I’ve heard it in another film about the history of Airships.

[@edwardoneil3962]

Getting there is half the fun 😀that was a magnificent film 😀

[@robertbarnier45]

It used to be fun getting there. Not these days unless you’re travelling first class. The rest has been reduced to mice on a treadmill

[@mikemancini313]

I need a time machine ;-(

[@JulieWallis1963]

Mike Mancini you really don’t! The Queen Mary is exactly like this and still regularly crosses the North Atlantic.

[@Inpri]

Cunard is the only line which has preserved, although subtlety, the three class system. On the QM2, the QV and the QE, First Class has become Queen Grill, Cabin Class has become Princess Grill, and Tourist Class has become Britannia.

[@lasuvidaboy]

A few other lines also have separate spaces for their suite passengers.

[@Inpri]

You're right, they do. Some have reserved lounges/bars and open deck space reserved for high suite passengers. Disney segregates its ships into Family and Adults Only spaces. Ironically, Cunard has actually become a four-class line. It seems a throw-back to the immigrant area when some ships had First, Second, Third (for emigrants with a bit more cash) and Steerage (called Fourth Class on the HAPAG Imperator-class ships). NDL provided four classes on the Bremen and Europa. The Italian Line had four on the Rex and Conte di Savoia: First, Special, Tourist, Third. Now Cunard has Grill, Princess, Britannia Club and Britannia.

[@1940limited]

I don'tsee anything wrong with a class system. It's a matter of how much you can spend.

[@Clipgatherer]

+Inpri. Why not just call it Upper Class, Middle Class and Working Class? It’s a British shipping line, after all. 😊

[@georges7340]

Fascinated by the "horse racing" That seemed like a lot of fun even if you were just watching or cheering your friends on!😉

[@mh-on7fp]

Photography by Tom Draper! He’s a big shot!

[@paulj2948]

Can't imagine taking a cruise and wearing a suit all day

[@rexpositor6741]

P M you must be the type that wears ‘fancy sweats’ all day.

[@danieldmyers]

You’re buying the wrong suits then.

[@robertbrawley5048]

My father born in 1918 wore a suit every day as I remember and I know there were many others doing the same. Summering in fla. He wore seersucker and off white suits I never saw him in short pants or Hawaiian shirts never in a tee shirt

[@MrSilvestris]

The beginning of this reel reminded me of those 16mm overly-spliced sex education films we had to watch in elementary school in the 1960s

[@AllenMacCannell]

They failed to show the passing of the Statue of Liberty soon after departure. That was a big deal. You didn't leave the deck until after that.

[@janlovesmany712]

Allen MacCannell but didn't fail to mention that they still separated class first second and third shameful.

[@GeorgeRellas]

After thousands of plays, the 16mm film would get brittle from bad projectors and crack, sometimes lots of feet of film would be removed and the film re-spliced together, leaving huge gaps in many of these films that would travel from school to school all over America and the world. It is most likely that they DID indeed show the Statue of Liberty, however it is lost from this particular reel.

[@maggieleroy3184]

Allen MacCannell I

[@SiriusXAim]

@@janlovesmany712 They still do that to this day. You didn't pay for just the room, you paid for the experience. Food was included in your ticket, same for most of the activities.

[@WhatALoadOfTosca]

@@janlovesmany712 why shameful?

[@gabrielmiller668]

Let's bring beautiful liners back! And scrap all this modern ugly crap !!

[@MrSeeker123]

but leaven the food

[@sailorforlifebestti3366]

@anubhav mitra the modern cruise ships are beautiful. I don't know what your'e talking about.

[@guardianoftheduat]

@@bagelq2028 um it has a transatlantic crossing therefore it's an ocean liner

[@bagelq2028]

Guardian Of The Duat yeah it does Atlantic travels but it still has the same look as any other cruise ship in the 2000s

[@guardianoftheduat]

@@bagelq2028 doesn't mean it's not an ocean liner

[@bcgrote]

RIP RMS Queen Elizabeth. Her tragic end under suspicious circumstances. A new Queen Elizabeth sails for Cunard now, most of the original lies rusting in Hong Kong Harbor.

[@am1966ath]

Is the rusting hulk of "Queen Elizabeth" still in Hongkong harbour?? I didn t see that on my visits there ..some 3times..did I miss something??

[@bcgrote]

The Wiki on RMS Elizabeth says that some of it was raised and sold for scrap, but that about 40% still rests on the bottom. Shipping maps show that area as "unsafe", so the pieces are probably not above the surface of the water.

[@am1966ath]

bcgrote Thank you for informing me...

[@1940limited]

I think it was cut up or scrap some time ago but it was a terrible end for this great ship. Had cunard scraped it back in 1968 as was originally planned, it would have been a better ending. I'm sorry it wasn't preserved like the Queen Mary.

[@adamjones2025]

@@1940limited Both Queen Mary & Queen Elizabeth should have been saved from people who simply don't care, Poor Queen Elizabeth's fire was rather strange at best or maybe the old girl didn't like her new owners. Queen Mary while in the USA has gotten to such a bad state of disrepair not sure how much long she has before she ends up as scrap.

[@EuSeiT]

How nicely people dressed then. Now they all look like they are wearing house clothes for lounging!

[@selamiselam4229]

what is the name of this machine? 16:49

[@rivervisual7802]

I wonder how they did 'ship to shore radio' in the middle of the ocean back then?

[@tomservo56954]

Powerful transmitter

[@scottwheeler2494]

High frequency radio. Extremely powerful transmitters and massive antenna systems. It was luck of the draw for voice. Telegraph was much more reliable. Ham radio still allows you to do the same today, if on a somewhat reduced platform. The military used such networks till the 80’s. It’s satellite today. Even aircraft are using HF less and less. You used to see the high frequency antenna systems for ARINC in Annapolis MD area - still there I think but in much smaller networks.

[@janlovesmany712]

I find it ironic that they still separated the classes.

[@boataxe4605]

They still do! Maybe not in public spaces but certainly in the accommodations!

[@andrewjames3908]

why not? you get what you pay for. airlines still do

[@MaritimeNexus]

9:22 nice sound of the Queen Elizabeth

[@boataxe4605]

5 city blocks long? I guess back then a city block was only 206.5 feet long! And look at all the beautiful woodwork, I mean kindling!

[@peterfordyce7003]

Too soon...

[@emperorryanii]

Sad to think those kids are now elders...

[@smallstudiodesign]

RetroSpector magic take me back ...

[@sailorforlifebestti3366]

Ironically the people at this time thought the 20's were the best of times.

[@hankaustin7091]

name a period in time that was better.... the 20s were most definitely the best of times, at least here in the great USA!

[@sailorforlifebestti3366]

@@hankaustin7091 During the 20s they thought the late 1800's were good ole times

[@hankaustin7091]

@@sailorforlifebestti3366 LOL yes, I guess they did at that.. I suppose we'll always look at back in previous decades and say "my, weren't those the best times?"

[@sailorforlifebestti3366]

@@hankaustin7091 isn't that the truth. we always look back at our past as something we never will get back so we hold it dear.

[@hankaustin7091]

@@sailorforlifebestti3366 absolutely correct

[@MaritimeNexus]

Queen Elizabeth Horn 9:18

[@Dr.Pepper001]

As soon as the mighty ship pulls away from the dock, some run in search for the barf bags. Others make their way to the nearest bar where a multi day buzz commences. Ah, the joys of ocean travel.

[@reynaldoflores4522]

Back when passengers were dignified and polite. And wore proper shoes, suits and ties. Now, there's just a rabble attired in shorts, tank tops, flip-flops and ( reversed ) baseball caps !

[@timothyhh]

1950s food presentation was so strange.

[@googleuser7454]

I always wonder of it was because of the whole post war thing. Reveling in extravange and weirdness with food just because they could

[@sabestek8896]

that's crazy .. people actually waved at you, but in a good way lol.

[@JulieWallis1963]

sabestek I’ve sailed. _lots_ but I’ve always wanted one of those departures with the little tugs pumping water high into the sky, bands playing, ticker tape and toilet roll style confetti and hundreds of people waving at each other! It looks so romantic and exciting. Sigh.

[@jeffdeist]

What a contrast: the ad preceding the video is about some awful show on FX about rappers....

[@oiudatropen9548]

Oh the progress Dixie has made¡¡¿

[@ptcedano]

I kno! What crap we have surround ourselves with.

[@timothyhh]

Indoor salt water pools actually sound kind of gross.

[@bryanpawley6377]

I was lucky enough to serve on both RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Mauritania 2 Happy mememory.

[@RogerinKC]

Popeye @ 22:39

[@RTD3]

Nice ad to lure travelers to take a Cunard ship instead of flying.

[@javiergilvidal1558]

20:21. "But all the gay gathering places on the Queen Elizabeth, are not for the grown-ups only". Unfortunately, that´s truer today than it has ever been.... Even sending the kids to school is a danger nowadays!

[@mikekirwan461]

Lousy airlines put these ships out of business.

[@boataxe4605]

Not to mention those lousy automobile companies putting the carriage makers out of business, and the number of cavemen that lost their jobs when the wheel was invented. How dare someone invent a faster, more convenient mode of transportation!

[@MrMartime2009]

9:18

[@LawyerCalhoun1]

What? No climbing rock wall, or water slide?

[@brkitdwn]

No, just ping pong, quates and booze 🙄

[@jamesflorence4394]

Diversity and inclusion destroyed all this....

[@1940limited]

And airplanes.

[@rexpositor6741]

And cheap people

[@Eric_Hutton.1980]

I prefer the Queen Elizabeth over the Queen Mary.

[@ManInTheBigHat]

29:32 Shadows of Michael Jackson.

[@egmjag]

This is early 50s. Oh to be alive during the gay 50s where everything and everyone was gay! I think even Gay was still a given name for women at that time.

[@edwardoneil3962]

Yes it ment being a happy person or runtime.😀

[@edwardoneil3962]

Fun time that is.

[@GeorgeRellas]

Great Film, thx 4 upload, however it is the late 1940's, not 50's. The last model car I observed was 1947 and many much older ones, plus the styles, etc.

[@wbcook1000]

A 1951 Packard was unloaded from the ship.

[@elaineshropshire1325]

George Rellas NO, this is definitely the early fifties. The portrait of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother is referenced. She was not called the “Queen Mother” until her daughter, Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952.

[@hankaustin7091]

Clearly SOMEONE did NOT do his research homework or fully watch the video before he posted his incorrect statements.

[@elliotsoldies9585]

There is also a 1950 Buick seen at 6:26

[@1940limited]

The car unloaded at Southampton was a 51 or 52 Packard.

[@javiergilvidal1558]

27:46. Now we know what (a slightly fatter) Brian Epstein used to do for a living before he met a certain four young guys... Bet he enjoyed the ship´s "gay spots" when off duty!

[@EricRomeoCooper]

can someone get the girl in the 16:25 pink swimsuits @....asking for a grandpa

[@JulieWallis1963]

Eric Cooper she’s very Marilyn Monroe.

[@BaquePhotography]

I had a performer friend who worked on a Cunard ship, he was part of the second class entertainment. The Smothers bros were the first class entertainers and good friends with my friend. THEY COULD NOT MEET because management does not let any of the different classes mix, not even the performers. Now had some Limey twit said that I couldn't see my friend for some farcical made up reason I would have knocked him out immediately right then and there for having the gall to speak to me in such a fashion, that's because Im a Texan. My friend who said nothing is obviously not. Can you imagine paying all that money and then have someone tell you where you can and cant cant go, not for safety, but for some nonsense about class. I wish someone would say that to me........

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

Stolen Property & Stolen Insurance Policy (NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL INSURANCE POLICY) I HAVE PROOF! Horrible Discrimination Falsifying Medical Documents Separation of Powers! Media marketing campaign enterprise software EXEMPT FRAUDSTERS INCOME TAX SOFTWARE FRAUD

[@dan4lau]

Shame about the terrible skipping in this.

[@mr.juniii5523]

uh sad only the MV britannic is left for the former white star goergic her sister has been put out to service :( .

[@grand_vacation]

Now we have Carnival. I love Carnival.

[@SiriusXAim]

Eeewww. Carnival is to Cunard what a Olive Garden is to the Ritz.

[@mindyschocolate]

Lol, Carnival is the Walmart of the cruising industry.

[@jazzman578]

FYI. Carnival now owns Cunard.

[@4160boy]

Why aren’t there any interracial couples or homosexuals on this commercial?

[@Thex-W.I.T.C.H.-xMaster]

Goddamn I sure am glad I didn’t live back then. Fuck no real technology 😒🙄...

[@thewiseowl3672]

Before the days of terrorism, TSA and liberalism.

[@sailorforlifebestti3366]

99% of these people are probably decaying right now.

[@Bayotter]

Not quite, but the Queen Elizabeth did ended up decaying at the bottom of Hong Kong Harbour. She being retrofitted as a floating university but caught fire and sunk, rolling over onto her side, still partially visible from shore. Featured in a James Bond movie, but can’t recall which one.

[@TheBandit7613]

@@Bayotter, The Man With The Golden Gun, they have an M16 headquarters (supposedly) in the wreck of the Queen Elizabeth. Yeah, I'm a Bond movie fan, the classics anyway.

[@hankaustin7091]

"99% of these people are probably decaying right now".... so???? what does THAT have to do with ANYTHING about this video?

[@sailorforlifebestti3366]

@@hankaustin7091 just an observation.

[@absolutely1337]

This didn’t hold up well, with Columbus and all...

[@Ulleval73]

Those were the times, however; what an extraordinarily "white" film.

[@hankaustin7091]

yeah.. and... your point being what exactly??

[@johnroberts6116]

@@hankaustin7091 - Did you ever receive an answer to your question Hank? I bet you didn't.

[@hankaustin7091]

@@johnroberts6116 no sir, I sure did not receive any kind of a reply...

[@johnroberts6116]

@@hankaustin7091 - It isn't a question of colour as some of these people think. It is entirely a question of whether a person can afford to take such a luxurious trip. I can't, but that doesn't make me deny those who can, an enjoyable time.

[@1940limited]

Even today the US is still 70% white. In the early 50s the percentage was probably much higher. Why would anyone even notice that?

[@robertbarnier45]

No longer true It’s a shit fight wherever or however you go

[@samjones6258]

This "history" conveniently forgot all about the hundreds of years of African slavery.....which involved countless ships taking forced African slaves to the Americas!!!

[@ronaldschultenover8137]

The Queen Elizabeth was not popular The Mary was we sailed Dutch ships

[@1940limited]

They must have been nice, too.

[@jerryleddbetter8555]

then they hit at iceberg and all drown, the end

[@janlovesmany6058]

So 3rd class gets no movies ...just like the titanic. Still class segregation!

[@1940limited]

It all gets down to money.

[@AML2000]

As they said, there were two movie theaters. The one we saw in this video was for first and cabin class. Tourist class had a smaller theater. I got to see "The Mouse that Roared" with Peter Sellars in the tourist class theater in 1959 when we emigrated to the US as a 10 year old. That was even before it premiered. The Queen Elizabeth was featured in a scene in the movie.

[@1tzBry]

7:57

[@MrMartime2009]

9:54

[@1tzBry]

9:19