MR SIDNEY TOMBS

Evening Star, Issue 23690, 25 September 1940, Page 7

MR SIDNEY TOMBS

INTERESTING PICTURE ASSOCIATION NOW INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR t Visiting Dunedin at the present time ist Mr Sidney ..Tombs, representing ,:lifjstee who are releasing .the ’English..musical film, ‘Talking Feet,’ thronwhout the Dominion. The picture, which comcs to the St. James oh Friday,- liad drawn excellent business wherever -it has been shown, its music, wealth of comedy, and diversified forms of entertainment making it attractive to theatregoers of all ages. Mr Tombs is presenting _ the picture with every confidence, which is based on a knowledge of what the,public likes in the way of motion picture entertainment. Ho has been associated with pictures and .picture theatres since 1910, when he founded in Hamilton the first motion picture house outside of the four main centres. For a period from 1912 he was associated with Sir (then Mr) Benjamin Fuller in the release of pictures in Hamilton, an association which despite the fact that there were no signed contracts drawn up, lasted harmoniously for several years. Subsequently Mr Tombs went to England. where he visited the leading studios and met many prominent artists, including Grade Fields and George Formby. He saw the latter’s first picture being made, a film called ‘ Boots,’ which was not shown in Dunedin. He then started making a number of successful commercial pictures, one of the best being ‘ Glorious Colchester,’ which was shown in Dunedin as a support to Laughton’s ‘Henry VIII.’ This particular film attracted notice in the Dominion because of the fine shots of Lord Bledisloe’s home. Since he returned to New Zealand Mr Tombs has been associated with the picture industry both as an exhibitor and a distributing agent. There is some outstanding talent offering in ‘Talking Feet,’ which stars Hazel Ascot, a talented youngster, whose tap dancing has already been soon in Dunedin. Winner of the (British Empire dancing championship last year. Hazel is a member of the well-known Ascot family of dandim entertainers. Special interest it attached to the appearance in the film of William Heughan, the Scottish bass, who is well known as a result of visits to the Dominion. Prior to the advent of talkies, in 1925, Heughan announced in the Burns Hall that his next appearance in Dunedin would be in “ canned form.” That was a prophetic statement, not far out. Ho actually appeared in person some years later, but ho has not been heard since, so his “canned” appearance in ‘Talking Feet ’ comes near to fulfilling his prophecy. He sings, with the Seaforth Highlanders and the Dagenham Ladies’ Pipe Banc!, ‘The Gathering of the Clans.’ Mark Hambourg. the renowned . pianist, plays Chopin’s ‘ Polonaise in A,’ and 14 of his students are shown in. a piano ensemble number. The Royal Marines Band, who led the men of'the Exeter when that vessel returned after the historic event off the ißiver Plate, are also prominent. The film is directed by W. Baxter, who directed that memorable production, ‘ Song of the Plough.’