FILMING IN SQUARE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28205, 18 February 1957, Page 7

FILMING IN SQUARE

Great Public Interest

The interest of many hundreds of Christchurch residents was maintained throughout the weekend in the filming of the re-enact-ment of scenes which took place in Cathedral Square in 1940 and 1943. By 5 p.m. on Sunday, the staff of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film unit had completed the filming of the Christchurch scenes for the film, “Until They Sail” and were preparing to move their equipment to Wellington where the final New Zealand scenes will be taken.

On Saturday, the scene to be filmed was a re-enactment of the return of the First Echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force from the Middle East. As the husbands of three of the four sisters who are characters in James A. Michener’s story were among those who did not return, the scene called for a subdued and tragic atmosphere. The film unit, said Mr R. Relyea, the assistant director, hoped for a dull day, and Saturday’s' sunshine had to be struck out by special filter equipment on the cameras.

The weather yesterday was more suited to the occasion. The second re-enactment, the departure of the First Echelon in 1940, was a more carefree and joyful scene, and yesterday’s bright sunshine provided much of what was needed to convey this impression, said Mr Relyea. More was demanded from the crowd in these circumstances, he said, and it “rose to the occasion magnificently.” Because of this coincidence of favourable circumstances, he said, it was decided to take some close-ups for Saturday’s scene. At various stages during the day, the cameras were fitted with fog filters to create the duller atmosphere necessary for the 1943 re-enactment, said Mr Relyea. Spiral of Cathedral One scene in the film should be of particular interest to Christchurch, he added. The camera concentrated on the highest section of the Cathedral spire. In Hollywood, a girl’s face would be superimposed on this scene. In the film, her face would gradually fade as the scene moved slowly down the spire and finally settled on the departing troops marching through the Square. “This scene, above all, should prove beyond doubt the authen-

ticity of the background,” said Mr Relyea. The film unit, he added, was most appreciative of the full cooperation given by traffic officers, policemen, and military trainees. “In very trying conditions they did an excellent job and were of great assistance to the unit,” said Mr Relyea. Today the whole unit will fly to Wellington, where scenes will be taken tomorrow. "We hope to do two days’ work in one if possible,” said Mr Relyea. Most of the unit will return to Hollywood immediately afterwards, and some will break the journey at Honolulu, where preparatory work will be done on the studio’s next film.