[William Darbyshire Home Movies: Reel 9]

William (Billy) Darbyshire (1903–1979) was a film enthusiast and traveller who emigrated with his parents from England to Australia in 1911. It may have been this early trip that influenced a young Billy to travel the world later in life and film his travels as he went.

First travelling to Africa for work and to various destinations whilst in service during WWII, Billy would continue to travel after the war throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific and North America. It was in this period, during the 1960s, that he purchased an 8mm movie camera which resulted in a collection of films that capture his travels, taking in the sites of the world from Asia to Europe and Africa to the Americas.

The films were originally made using Standard 8mm film. The quality of the film can be a little challenging as it is jumpy, damaged and scratched at times.

In this film, Billy travels to the United States of America taking in the sights of Long Beach, Disneyland, San Francisco and San Diego all in California, USA.

Selected highlights list:
00:00:04:00 view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco.
00:01:45:00 taxiing airplanes (aeroplane), supply trucks and a Shell brand fuel truck on an airport tarmac.
00:02:03:00 airplane taking off from the tarmac
00:02:10:00 a helicopter on the tarmac
00:02:45:00 views of some sailing yachts and piers
00:03:01:00 signs for Alcatraz businesses followed by a Bay Cruise terminal and passengers
00:03:30:00 a particularly nice Hotel on a town or city corner
00:04:35:00 women with placards marching outside a ‘J C Penney’ store in San Diego
00:05:09:00 San Diego County Courthouse
00:05:33:00 houses along a beach on the Pacific Ocean
00:05:59:00 surf boards for hire on the beach
00:06:59:00 cars and traffic
00:08:02:00 US Navy personal atop a submarine at a dock.
00:08:19:00 a Disneyland engine and train ride
00:08:30:00 views around Disneyland
00:08:51:00 a cable car and pirate ship in Disneyland
00:09:3:00 the Mark Twain paddle steamer in Disneyland
00:10:32:00 a rocket ship in Disneyland
00:11:05:00 Native American dancers performing for an audience in Disneyland