Victory Christmas Pageant, 1945 |
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| Title : | Victory Christmas Pageant, 1945 |
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| Creator : | John Martin & Co | ||
| Date of creation : | 1945 | ||
| Format : | Photograph | ||
| Contributor : | State Library catalogue | ||
| Catalogue record | |||
| The State Library of South Australia is keen to find out more about SA Memory items. We encourage you to contact the Library if you have additional information about any of these items. | |||
| Donated by : | John Martin & Co. |
| Copyright : | This item is reproduced courtesy of David Jones Ltd. It may be printed or saved for research or study. Use for any other purpose requires written permission from David Jones Ltd and the State Library of South Australia. To request approval, complete the Permission to publish form. |
| Description : |
View of part of the 1945 'Victory' Christmas pageant put on by John Martin's following the end of World War II, featuring rows of mini-skirted women representing the Navy, Army and Airforce. The float immediately behind pays tribute to the Navy. The Adelaide Christmas pageant has been held annually since 1933, with the exception of the years during World War II when John Martin's did not stage the event. It was therefore with added excitement that South Australian children anticipated the 1945 'Victory' pageant. Many of the floats that year had themes of peace or patriotism and the parade was led by a bevy of beauties in military uniform. 'The girls of the Navy (in white uniform with shorts and navy epaulets), of the Army (in khaki, with shorts and slouch hats), and of the Air Force (in Air Force blue with shorts and peaked caps), made a very fine show' (John Martin's souvenir of their victory Xmas pageant, 1945, 1945, p. 4). Despite the tram and transport strike that was crippling the city centre at the time, tens of thousands of spectators still managed to make their way into town and line the route. The pageant was broadcast on radio, so that those unable to make the journey may too share in the festivities and welcome Father Christmas to Adelaide. It was fitting that the pageant, originally conceived to lift spirits during the Depression, should now help bring joy back to the people of South Australia after six years of conflict. 'War snatched many things from our children, and all the children of the world. But now peace has given back this annual pageant' (John Martin's souvenir of their victory Xmas pageant, 1945, 1945, p. 3). The pageant has been held every year since 1945 - rain, hail or shine. |
| Subjects | |
| Related names : | John Martin & Co. |
| Coverage year : | 1945 |
| Region : | Adelaide city |
| Further reading : | '60th John Martin's State Bank Christmas pageant 1933-1993', Sunday Mail, 31 October 1993, 24 p. supp. Adelaide's once-a-year day, Adelaide: Commercial Printing House, 1978. John Martin's souvenir of their victory Xmas pageant, 1945. Adelaide : John Martin & Co., 1945. 'Street pageant delights crowd', Advertiser, 20 November 1933, p. 16. A touch of magic [videorecording] : [the story behind the Christmas Pageant], West Lakes?, S. Aust. : Cine News |
| Internet links : | Credit Union Christmas pageant John Martin's first pageant: 1933 [State Library of South Australia] |
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