Travelling Cinema for Ulster Propaganda

Published: 10 June 1914

The travelling cinema is the latest instrument made available to advance the cause in Ulster. Thanks to the enterprise of the Union Defence League, three large motor vans, equipped with cinematograph equipment are immediately to be put on the road for a tour of the country. These vans are so built that the back can be opened and a screen dropped, upon which moving pictures can be projected by an operator in the interior.

The vans will show films in which the Ulster Volunteers are drilling and manoeuvring, armed with rifles and bayonets. It also shows the practices of the ambulance brigade and the nurses, along with images of Ulster industry. Sir Edward Carson is also seen reviewing the Volunteers. As a contrast, scenes of the boycotting in the South are also shown. Lecturers will travel along with the vans to explain the moving images to the public.

When the vans are not in action they will continue to carry on propaganda work, as their sides will be painted with slogans such as ‘No Home Rule’, ‘Support Loyal Ulster’, ‘Home Rule Means Civil War’ and ‘Shall British troops be used to shoot down Ulster Loyalists?’.

The moving picture van is likely to make a great impression.