RISK THEIR LIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 78, 2 April 1927, Page 26

RISK THEIR LIVES.

DAREDEVIL FEATS ON FILMS

USE OF DEPUTIES SCORXED.

The serious illness of Miss Betty Balfour, the film actress, due to exposure during the making of a film, lias surprised many thousands of cinema-goers. Few people would have believed that a star of her eminence would be agreeable to subject herself to such clangers, says a Home writer. Indeed, there is a general idea that, whenever there is any dangerous work to be done, the star is represented by a "double." Many highly-paid stars, in fact, have refused to take any risk whatever, and their parts have had to be played by lowly actors and actresses who were ready to face real dangers — for a salary that was scarcely a hundredth part of what the star received for being supposed to do the job. But most of the "doubling" film production occurs when the star is unable, though not unwilling, to play the particular part. Most film stars, however, are willing to take risks themselves, and would rows" she had to play in a swamp— an artificial one, it is true, but none the less muddy or sticky for that— and on one occasion she came perilously near to , drowning. Those who have watched some of those thrilling scenes in her latest film will probab y be amazed to know there is not a singie bit of trick photography in it. Had Miss Pickford, for instance, fallen off the branch across which she carried her proteges, she might have been badly hurt. In John Barrymore's biggest sea picture, "The Sea Beast," there are some sea storm scenes which are claimed to be the most realistic ever filmed. In fact, they are so remarkable that even experts expressed the view that they could only have been done artificially in a tank. Hoot Gibson, the cowboy actor, and probably the greatest rider on the screen, had a narrow escape from serious injury the other day during the filming of the exciting chase scenes in "Taming of the West." With him was his leading lady. Mniwline Hay Speeding across a ranch in a racing car, the two reached a heavy gate made of strong timber. The director had ordered the property man to saw the gate nearly through so as to eliminate danger as far as possible, and the actors were instructed to duck their heads and plough through the gate But the property man had forgotten. Gibson bore down on the gate at 50 miles an hour. There was a crash, and

the parts were scattered in the air. One pole, which was ripped loose, swung round and grazed Gibson's head. Had it hit him square it would have been the end of the picture—and the end of •Gibson. As it was, the car, after staggering and skidding, straightened out, and the filming of the picture was continued as though nothing unusual had happened. Gibson's extraordinary escapes while he has been riding bucking broncos for the films might be expected of a young man who, going from a ranch to Los Angeles, calmly fell over , a cliff with his horse in order to convince the director that real reel thrills could be made by real cowbovs.

FILM OF MAORI WARS

During the week a small limited liability company was formed in Whakatane to produce a motion picture of the Maori wars, based on incidents in the notorious career of Tc Kooti Pikirangi.

The principal incident in the film will be the defence of the Mill Farm, which took place three and a-half miles south of Whakatane on the main road to Taneatua. This was one of the most heroic and romantic incidents of the Maori wars. Many local residents have offered to take part in the film, and it is the intention that local Maoris shall enact parts played by their ancestors in actual life. Throughout the Whakatane district there are several excellent scenic backgrounds for pictures, and a number of historic buildings and native whares of the old style are standing, enabling the producers to make the picture on the native places where the incident happened.

The Mill Farm is much as it was sixty years ago. The Te Kooti rifle pits have never been filled in, and the reconstruction of the mill will not be a difficult matter. The story, which is entirely historical, offers wide scope for good horsemanship and much spectacular fighting, and it may be said to be one of the most inspiring and dramatic incidents in New Zealand's history. The production of the picture will be in the charge of Mr. Rudall Hayward, the producer of "Kewi's Last Stand."

"Private Izzy Murphy," a Master picture to be released soon, starring George Jessel and featuring Patsy Ruth Miller, w a war story of Jew Irish, and relates the affairs of Izzy Goldberg, a young *ew York delicatessen keeper, who joins ni!v» n r^ iment - "Private Izzy MurteLJLFm tO ° ne of the f don a, ti, mS e Z er shown - Vera Gorher'h»m m ,, Otber ' is eonspicuoue for her human and appealing portravaL