A STUDIO SURPRISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1935, Page 5 (Supplement)

A STUDIO SURPRISE.

DICKENS' LARGE FAMILY.

Parts in the Charles Dickens picture, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," are to be given to accredited relatives of Dickens living in Southern California. Within 24 hours the telephone of Associate-Producer Edmund Grainger started ringing and for a time it seemed as though the entire Dickens family had moved to Southern California. Studio officials are checking up the credentials of the claimants. Those who really are related and wish it will be employed in the picture. This picture will be made from the most discus&ed story that Dickens ever wrote. "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" is the famous story which the author had not completed when he died. Ever since then, attempts have been made by writers and others to complete the story and solve the mystery. Close to 100 endings have been printed. The studio writers created their own climax, but it will he kept a guarded secret until the film drama is released. A distinguished cast has been chosen Claude Rains, Douglass Montgomery, Heather Angel, Francis L. Sullivan, and Valerie Hobson thus far have been named. Stuart Walker, who directed "Great Expectations," will direct.