NEW ZEALAND FILM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 52, 2 March 1935, Page 5 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND FILM.

" DOWN ON THE FARM." PRODUCED rsr OTAGO. From time to time New Zealanders have been entertained by New Zealand screen efforts —productions conceived and executed entirely within the Dominion. There have been such ventures as the unforgettable "Rewi's Last Stand," the dainty "Bush Cinderella," and the scenic shows, "New Zealand at Work and Play" and "Romantic New Zealand." Something quite new for Antipodean film producers to attempt, a hilarious comedy of farm life, has just been completed in Otago, and is to be given release in Auckland within a few weeks. This is "Down on the Farm," produced by Messrs. Stuart Pitt, of Dunedin, and Lee Hill, of Wellington, along lines which evidently were inspired by the Australian successes, "On Our Selection," "Grandad Rudd" and "The Hayseeds." Mr. Lee Hill may be remembered bv ardent "fans" for his fine educational films of a few years ago, also for his two comedy ventures in Taranaki, "Susie of Stratford" and "Helen of Hawera." "Down on the Farm," however, should not bo mentioned in the same breath. It gives every promise of being it really ambitious and expensive undertaking, and the results certainly should give New Zealand a definite place with Australia as a film-producing country. The picture should enjoy great success in this country and Australia, and if of a sufficiently high technical standard, should appeal in England. The cast is mainly a Dunedin one. and production was made in Otago and Southland. Rolling hill country, beautiful bush scenes, homesteads nestling in green valleys—the incomparable New Zealand scenery gives the picture its convincing background. But it is indeed only a background to the wealth of comedy imported into it. The chief romantic part taken by Daphne Murdock, as Mary Hickmot. She is young, and said to bring a fresh beauty to the screen. She is a well-known Dunedin' "amateur" In accordance witli its classification of "ultra-comedy," the film has more laugh-getting roles than serious. There are Miss Erpington-Erpington (Gwenda Burt), 'Orace 'Opkins (John Stuart Dick), the "Cockney Killer"; Bill Petrie, the Woodside Terror (Bert Nelson); Lizzie Perkins (Erina Newbold); , and many others who provide humour. Sir Henry Hickmot (Sydney Lock) is a contrasting character role. Other members of the cast include Angus Gorry, Joe Lee, Bobby Simpson, Ernest Grillin, Elsie McPeek, Audrey Watson, George Claridge, Roegairn Gare and the delightful children —Leila Murdoch, Joy Grey, Eron Reid and Ra Hould.