Early N.Z. Filins Wanted For National Archive

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29344, 25 October 1960, Page 20

Early N.Z. Filins Wanted For National Archive

(New Zealand Frees Association)

WELLINGTON, October 24. A start has been made to form a film archive in New Zealand. The movers are the Internal Affairs Department and the National Film Library of the Education Department. Motion pictures have been inade in New Zaland for more than 60 years; the earliest probably in 1896. Movies made between that year and IMO are being sought The position after 1940 is well covered. More than 4000 circular letters have already been sent to organisations or individuals interested in films or New Zealand history asking for advice of films which might be preserved as ilhißtrations of New .Zealand life and customs. - Few early films are available but there may be some lying in office' cupboards or in private homes. They would have interest today but in 50 or even 100 years’ time their interest and value would be multiplied many times. The Cammonwealth Library, Canberra, has been collecting, printing and storing early Australian moving pictures for some years and has asked that inquiries be made for any that might be in New Zealand.

Those who hold early New Zealand or Australian films are being asked to advise the National Archivist, Internal Affairs Department, or >the National Film Library, Wellington. Permission To Copy

They will then be asked to lend the film, for viewing to see if it is worth preserving. If it is, the

owner will be asked for permission to copy it This will take about three months. A negative will be made on safety stock; old-time film is highly inflammable: Alt least two 16 millimetre prints will be made from the negative. The negative and one print will be preserved and stored and the original, and a copy, if desired, returned to the owner.

One or more films will be made available to film societies, schools and others interested, through the National Film Library. Already “Rewi’s Last Stand,” made in 1928 by Rudall Hayward, now of Auckland, has been made available to schools and film societies.

Another which win be copied is * ‘Bush Cinderella.” also by Rudaß Hayward, filmed in 1929. It cost £7OO and was seven weeks in the making.

The Part of Sam CotHin June, was played by Mr T. McDermott (who also looked after properties and location); Mrs Codlin by, Mins Mary Dreaver, MP. for Waitesnata (1941-43) and later a member of the LegiaMive Council; a farm hand by Al Mack; a naval lieutenant by Cecil Scott; and the heroine by Dale Austin, the first “Miss New Zeaiand.”

This was a simple old-tiine melodrama of a girt who is “cast out” after an unfortunate event but who ends up marrying the lieutenant. “Daughter of Dannevrrke” is another due for copying. Tnis was produced by Bill Eyre and Rudall Haywand in two days and a half in 1928. Filmed in Dannevirke it reflected the views of some of the- citizens. A newspaper reporter was the villain end a dairy farmer the hero. They competed for the attentions of the new teacher at the North School. A copy of “Hamilton Husbands,” made about the same time, is sought. This film ran for 10 days in Hamilton to capacity houses. The script was by Arnold Gozar.

“New Zealand Air Epic,” the film made for the Palmerston North 50,000 Club on the inauguration of Milson aerodrome and the start of the inland airmail service, is another which has been submitted for the archives. Among other interesting early films received is one made for the Bluff Harbour Board in 1923. It shows a railway excursion to the port, the picnickers travelling in canvas-covered cattle trucks.