U.S. Teacher The Star In N.Z. Tourist Film

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29293, 26 August 1960, Page 2

U.S. Teacher The Star In N.Z. Tourist Film

Many a young New Zealand school teacher would like the chance to be a film star and go to the United States. But for Mary Ann Gemmill, a teacher of Pennsylvania, the opportunity has happened in reverse—nationally speaking. Now at the University of Auckland on a Rotary Foundation Fellowship, Miss Gemmill has been chosen for the principal role in New Zealand’s latest tourist film, “The Happy Isles.” Part of the film is now being made in Christchurch.

The theme of the film is "the people you meet can make your holiday,” and many personalities are featured. Even so it would be nearly impossible for them to steal a scene from Miss Gemmill. A vivacious brunette, she is enthusiastic about everything she does.

The Rotary clubs sponsored her for a year’s post-graduate study in New Zealand and at present she is working at the University of Auckland for a master’s degree in education. Since her arrival in February she has spoken to 63 groups—4o of them Rotary clubs—and she has plans for addressing many more on the West Coast, Timaru and Dunedin. Large audiences do not frighten her any more than the movie camera does. At secondary school she took part in dramatic reading and was active in the debating club of the Pennsylvania State University as debate manager for four years. Public Speaking “So much experience in public speaking has made these talks in New Zealand easier for me,” she said. “Generally I have given my audiences an over-all view of the American way of life.” Work “on location” is new to Miss Gemmill who considers the top film stars must work very hard. “It is tiring,” she commented. “You are on your feet all day.” Yesterday 300 ft of 35 mm. colour film was made in Christchurch. Miss Gemmill was photographed at the entrance to the university, in the quadrangle, and in the Botanic Gardens. Later, when the spring flowers are out in the gardens that part of the film will be taken again and Miss Gemmill’s film superimposed on it to give the full effect of an American tourist seeing a Christchurch spring. i Flight Over Alps, At the university, Dr. L. L. Pownall, professor of geography, University of Canterbury, welcomed her. At the Hermitage, Miss Gemmill will be introduced to Mr John Evans, chief pilot of Mount Cook Air Services, Ltd., as part of a sequence called “Flight Over the Alps."

There will also be views of the Waitomo caves and their story incorporated in the script; scenes filmed during the recent performance of “Madam Butterfly,” in Christchurch; the new School of Engineering, University of Canterbury, at Ham; older buildings and churches in Christchurch, and the city’s new international airport. Film Wardrobe Miss Gemmill’s wardrobe for the 2b-minute colour film comprises three dresses and a suit all of which were made for her by an Auckland firm and were copies of next season’s styles airmailed by a British manufacturer who is the only exporter of fashions from England to the United States. The suit and one of the frocks are not yet finished as Miss Gemmill only received notice- that she was to appear in the film two months ago. Her entire part is being filmed during the university vacation. What of her hobbies? “I haven’t had very much time to follow them in New Zealand,” she said. “At home I do bird-watching in the week-ends for my own enjoyment. I keep my notes and take my own photographs, but they are for my own interest. I don’t below to any club.” Another of her hobbies is stargazing.

While in Christchurch Miss Gemmill will have the opportunity of viewing the stars “upside down” when she visits the observatory, and she will also visit the new planetarium at the Canterbury Museum. The film crew for "The Happy Isles” comprises Mr Rudail Hayward, who is producer, director and cameraman, his wife who acts as assistant and script writer, and Patrick Bolster, from the United States, who is a student at Auckland Grammar School and organiser of the school’s film club. Mr Hayward has been making films for more than 40 years and his father pioneered moving pictures in New Zealand by bringing the first films to the country.