"QUADS" IN FILM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 17

"QUADS" IN FILM.

! A CHRISTMAS "SHOT." MOTHER'S FIRST SIGHT. (Special—By Air Mall.) LONDON, January 4. Christmas Day was a day of wonders for the "quads" of St. Neots, England; in a picture-book setting they made their film debut; their mother nursed them and gifts from all parts of England showered ill upon them. But the adamantine nursery laws were not relaxed. Even their most-fav-oured visitor—mother —was forced to wear the regulation mask in the incubator room. Hours before Mrs. Miles arrived at Dr. Harrisson's house newsreel cameramen were setting up their apparatus in the nursery, preparing to make the first "quad" film—"A Day in the Life of the Quads." It will be exhibited to the public during the first week of the New Year. Before (i a.m. on Christmas Day the cameramen were waiting at the Shrubbery to catch the babies at the very moment of their awakening.

Floodlights specially placed so as not to shine directly into their eyes had been fitted; the camera was focused, and all awaited the first wail which would be the signal for the nurses to commence their daily routine. It wae not delayed. A hungry howl announced that Ernest, of the stentorian voice, was up and ready to be doing. In a moment the others had joined in and the four lusty ■young voices were raised in their first Christmas carol. It made up in volume what it lacked in- harmony. ''Camera," whispered somebody, and the nurses went quietly about the business of taking the "quads" their daily routine.

As the filming proceeded, Michael, the "baby" showed more stage presence and less concern than the others. His acting was artistically natural. So mucli so that after- he had been fed he slept through almost the entire performance. Ernest was camera-shy. His cries could be heard in the village of Offord Cluny, live miles away —where Dr. Harrisson was bringing into the world another set of babies, but this time only twins. Paul just didn't care. He wa« nonchalant during the whole Ann was restless. She seemed to bo quite conscious of the important role she was playing. She made great play \jith her "Garbo eyelashes." They seem to have grown since last week.

Tliey were "shot" from every possible angle and in every action that they go through during the course of p. normal working day.

Mrs. Miles, mother of the babies, is growing much stronger and will soon be able to go about entirely by herself. When she first saw her babies on Christmas Day her eyes danced radiantly. "You don't know how liappy I am," she said. "They are so wonderfully beautiful q.nd sp tiny that I just want to cuddle them tightly, though I know that is impossible. Still, I shan't have very long to wait."