LOOK AT SOUNDS FOR COOK FILM

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30594, 10 November 1964, Page 3

LOOK AT SOUNDS FOR COOK FILM

(N.Z. Press Association) BLENHEIM, November 9. The Marlborough Sounds and other locations in New Zealand will figure in Cinerama when Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer makes a picture based on the life and deeds of Captain James Cook. Preliminaries leading to the production of what is expected to be a major feature on the life of the great explorer have begun. Yesterday they brought a leading M.G.M. producer and director, Mr George Englund, to Marlborough to look at possible sites in Queen Charlotte Sound.

The visiting producer was especially interested in Ship

Cove. There Cook made in all five visits from 1770 for the purpose of careening his ships and restoring the health of his crews after long months at sea.

Mr Englund flew in a Wellington Aero Club Cessna over the sound to get an idea of its topography and suitability and was more than satisfied. “The place is fantastic scenically,” he said. “I think the Cook story is perfect for Cinerama; it will do justice to the sweep of the famous navigator’s voyages and the scenery over here will fit in perfectly with the scenes in other parts of the world.”

Mr Englund was accompanied by Mr W. J. Mullahey, of Honolulu, Pacific director of Pan American Airways, who earlier this year visited the sounds and Kaikoura in quest of history and relics in

connexion with the restoration of the whaling port of Lahina, on the island of Maui in Hawaii, as a tourist attraction.

Mr Mullahey said the State of Hawaii was interested in helping with the projected film, as it was at the hands of natives of Hawaii that Cook met his death. Also in the party were Mr R. S. Odell, general manager of the Tourist and Publicity Department, and Mr P. Meikle, of Mutual Hotels, Wellington, who was associated with Mr Mullahey’s whaling quest Poverty Bay will also be considered for filming. Mr Odell was asked whether the fact that Mr Englund had restricted his investigations to the Marlborough Sounds area meant that Poverty Bay, Cook’s first landing place in New Zealand in 1769, had been ruled out for possible filming.

“On the contrary,” replied Mr Odell, “the purpose of Mr Englund’s visit is to have some discussion with the Government on the degree of cooperation M.G.M. can expect in the making of the film. He had some time to fill in and decided to fly over the Marlborough Sounds, area. “When the time comes for the actual investigation of possible filming locales the Poverty Bay area will undoubtedly be included.” Mr Odell estimated the shooting of the film would start some time next summer. The regional chairman of the National Historic Places Trust (Mr J. C. Corson) was enthusiastic about the possibility of Poverty Bay being included in the filming. “There are still many of the authentic places, such as Young Nick’s Head and Waikanae Beach which have changed little since the days of Captain Cook,” he said.