New Australian Film to be Given World Release

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21223, 20 September 1940, Page 8

New Australian Film to be Given World Release

Cinema . ♦« Snapshots

Universal Pictures has offered to screen Charles Chauvel’s new Australian film, “ Forty Thousand Horsemen,” in the United States. In addition to distribution in the United States, Universal has invited Charles Chauvel to bring his picture to Hollywood and make use of the company’s laboratories in the final preparation of the film for world release. The picture is in its final stages of production, and Mr Chauvel says that any changes that may be thought necessary will be solely in th£ interests of the American market. Highly gratified at Universal’s gesture, Mr Chauvel says that the arrangement opens up immense possibilities for Australian film production, and, for the first time, brings a world market for local pictures within reach. He believes that the film has great propaganda possibilities. It deals with the Australian Light Horse campaign in the Sinai Desert in the last war. The managing director of Universal in Australia (Mr H. C. Mclntyre) says that the production will be “ streamlined ” by the use of Hollywood technical facilities, and it is probable that a Broadway release wjll be arranged to coincide with the Sydney premiere. “ Forty Thousand Horesmen ” was written by Mr Chauvel and E. V. Timms in collaboration. The cooperation of the military authorities was obtained for the filming sequences showing thousands of Light Horsemen in stirring charges. The principal artists in “ Forty Thousand Horsemen ” are Grant Taylor, “ Chips ” Rafferty, Pat Twohill and Betty Bryant.