Balaclava

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 27

Balaclava

AMBITIOUS BRITISH FILM IS ALL-TALKING AND IN FULL COLOUR

BIG BLAZE AT STUDIOS Maurice Elvey’s original silent production, “Balaclava,” which was later named “The Valley of Death,” is now to be remade as an all-talking colour film, under the direction of Milton Rosmer. Owing to a serious fire in the Gainsborough studios, the latter part of the film was destroyed, but it is expected that the film will be completed oil schedule. The directors have also decided to revert to the original title, “Balaclava.” The fire which destroyed part of the film was one of the most spectacular in London in recent years. Flames were seen suddenly to burst from the recording room, a chamber used for sound effects. Immediately the alarm was given and men and women wearing their film “make-up” and dresses—the uniforms of bygone Highland soldiers and Russian peasants—made arush for the exits. Four or five girl actresses had great difficulty in getting out through the dense smoke. They were soon assisted by firemen in gas masks, and one or two of them were carried out in a fainting condition. Mr. George Gunn, the etudio manager, remained in the building until the whole of the staff had escaped. As he was trying to escape a piece of falling glass struck his band and cut off a finger. He was taken to hospital for treatment. British Dominions Films will release “Balaclava” through Greater Australasian Films.

SHOTS FROM PANTO. Scenes from a pantomime, “The Sleeping Beauty,” which has just ended a run at Drury Lane, have been filmed as part of a Spanish talking picture being made in London. The film, “The Song of the Day,” is being produced for a Spanish company by Julian Wylie Productions, Ltd. The story deals with the life of a young Spanish singer who gains fame in this country, and as the famous theatre plays a part, “shots” were taken of the stage while a performance was in progress.