MAKING PICTURES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 164, 7 April 1921, Page 3

MAKING PICTURES

MOVIE STUDIO FOR MARLBOROUGH

The dry. sunny climate of Marlborough, states the "Marlborough Express,” is likely to attract to this province an industry which should be an excellent means Of advertising the province’s beauties and fertility. This industry is a new one to Now Zealand —that of making moving pictures. The representative of a film company is at present in Blenheim, and in a conversation with Mr. Will Lawson outlined the scheme his company has decided to carry out in New Zealand. The company has selected Marlborough as the place with the most suitable climate for picture-production. The wide Tange of scenery and the dry clear atmosphere, as well as its proximity to Wellington, were the factors which led to this decision. A studio will be built near Blenheim, where the bulk of the productions will be carried out. When special settings are required the necessary scenery will be within easy motoring distance of Blenheim. The bounds in particular will play a leading part in this work.

It is stated that complete arrangements for showing the pictures which will be produced in Marlborough have been made. 1 The company is said to have between seventy and eighty artists in training in Wellington. "Another factor which is carrying weight with the picture men,” Mr. Lawson told an "Express” reporter, "is the fact that an aeroplane hangar is to be established in Blenheim. I have just received word from the town clerk that tho Blenheim Borough Council is prepared to favourably consider the provision of a site for a hangar on the old racecourse, generally known as the Omaka Domain. When the hero wants to elope with the beautiful half-caste they will go up in our aeroplane.