British Films

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 24, 21 December 1934, Page 15

British Films

Australia Is Finding Her Piace : In The SunSeveral Fine Talkies Turned Out: Beaumont -. Smith’s "Splendid Fellows" a Good Show

It speaks volumes for the faith and enterprise of Australia that u has so successfully embarked on the production of talking picturesthe only British possession to do so. One or two silent films were made in New South Wales some years ago, but it was not until the coming of the talkies that Australia got really.jnto her stride. In the past two years there have been some good Ausiralian films shown in New Zealand. and one or.two of them come near near breaking the records of the big American productions.

GINCH the success of such films as "On Our Selection" and "The Squatter’s Daughter’ the Commouwealth’s producers have been embarking on more elaborate productions, the latest to reach the Dominion being "Splendid Fellows," directed by Beanmont Smith and starring Drie Colman, brother of the famous Ronald. "Splen-

as eee did Fellows" opened to packed houses at the Regent Theatre; Wellington, at the week-end, and is due for release in other centres within the next month. People are already asking: How came the title to this latest effort from the other side of the Tasman? If the refider will think for a moment he wiil realise that. there are certain peonle who. always command a. great deal of attention throughout the entire world

and have done so from time imme morial. To the man of this kind the world owes much, and although he has many different titles they all mean the same. The American’s call him a "real guy," the English a’ "topping chap," and the Australians a "bonzer bloke." But’Mr. Beaumont Smith, aot satisfied with any of these, incorporates the idea of them all in the title of "Splendid Fellows." CPO ILLES CY es ree we De MEO

For the characters of this. stirrine romance of youth, courage and adveuture are one and all "Splendid Fellows" tighting humanity’s cause with honony and self-sacrifice, seeking neither reward nor applause. . Surely no happier nor pleasanter study of human nature has ever been presented on the screen. Courageous men and true speeding their way conquering time and space on ths wings of man’s ingeniousness to win the coveted prize for the greatest test of skill and endurance in the history of the human race-the world-famous Centenary Air Race, One ‘prominent member of the motion picture industry of Australia enthusiastically exclaimed after viewing the picture recently: ‘A splendid picture with a cast of splendid fellows." And he was right. Bric Colman, Frank Leighton,- Leo Franklyn, Isabelle Mahon and Frank Bradley are in the cast-all brilliant exponents of the histrionic art, and all splendid féllows. For the producer, Mr. Beaumonr Smith, "Splendid Fellows" marks the crowning achievement of a. brilliant career of showmanship, and the whele of Australia and New. Zealand are loud in their congratulatory praises for 2 "oreat picture." This new talkie serves to introduce a new star-Isabelle Mahon. Although Ld A TSE TEN ES re ee Oe ee ae EE a ey,

now only 18 years of age, she has, dur ing eleven of those years, worked on the stage, Her first appearance was little ghort of sensational. . She went along with her mother to try and get a part in the pantomime. "Cinderelln," but the cast had been filled. Isabelle, however, insisted on showing the mauager what she could do. Perseverance won the day, and she was engaged to do a song-and-dance number. On the opening night in a costume which included very high boots, Isabelle, aged seven, put all hey kicking talents into action to such good effect that a large a

hoot flew off and landed right in the audience, The incident got sueh a good laugh that it was retained throughout the season and the foundations of a successful career were well and truly laid. Now Isabelle ig a real star. All the time she was working on the production of "Splendid Fellows" she was also playing the lead in the J. ©. Williamson production "Gay Divorce." Her performance has delighted the critics here and it appears that she is destined to play a big nart in future Australian film productions, Eric Colman, who plays the lending

male role, has had many opportunities: to "brenk" into talkies by virttie of his brother’s influence in Hollywood and Histreé. But Brice has consistently disdained such assistance, being determined to ‘stand or fall on his own merits. Thus it remained for Mr. Beanmont Smith, ever on the look out for new screen talent, to give this independent, handsome young man, wirh one of the most cultured voices ever heard on the screen, his opportunity to prove to an expectant world just what he can do, by casting him as the "Wlying Padre," one of the starring roles in "Splendid Fellows." How Brie grasped his big chance with both hands by giving a sterling, human performance that will establish him as a real favourite, and a real star of the future, is now screen history. ‘Durinz the world war, Bric Colman was an "ace" pilot in the Royal Air Force, winning great, honours with his skill and daring in the air. A serious crash at the front; however, cut short a brilliant career, and found him fighting for life, after being unconscious for four whole days. . . "T’ll never fly again," he said, at long last he was on the road back to health. And this resolution has been strictly adhered to. However, he readily accepted the role of the Pastor ‘ pilot and all its dangers when Beuumont Smith approached him with this big opportunity to make a name for himself in motion pictures, to which his illustrious brother, Ronald, ig such an adornnient, Bric was called upon tv pilot a real crash. This is one of the most realistic aeroplane sequences ever seen in films. A great credit to Eric's cool daring and to Mr. Smith’s directorial genius, LANS are now advanced for the production of. another comedy starring George Wallace, the famous Australian comedian, to be made at Efftee, F. W. Thring, George Wallace and Frank Harvey are now at work on the ‘seript, and it is possible that shooting may be started this month. It is planned to’ hold up further release of Dorothy Brunton’s "Clara Gibbings," which has been very well received, until the Wallace film is made, and then to bracket these pictures on a double pill. This will be Wallace’s fourth film for Effttee, the others being "His Royal Highness." "Harmony Row" .and "Ticket in Tatts." KEN HALL, who is chief of production for Cinesound,-sailed for Hollywood from Australia on December 15. He will return early in March, and in the meantime studio operations are suspended, though there will be no hold-up in the making of the popular Cinesound Review newsreels. Now that Mr. Hall has finished "Grandad Rudd," which is to be released shortly, he feels that he’ can spare the time for a visit to Hollywood, the object of his trip being to finalise the purchase of some new equipment, and also to study at first hand the latest technical developments in talking-film production. , "THE -SILENCH OF DEAN MAITLAND," which was released in New Zealand earlier in the year, is being distributed in England by RKO-Radio, and a great deal of publicity is being given to the production, Bookings for the film are said to be very good,