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Press, 12 July 1979, Page 2

Andrew Brown, the New Zealand-born producer of “Rock Follies” and ‘ Edward and Mrs Simpson,” might return home next year to begin work on a feature film set in the South Island. Mr Brown, who is 41, was in Christchurch yesterday on a private visit but could say little more than that the project was in the planning stages. He and a fellow producer, Mark Shivas, who produced “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” and “Glittering Prizes,” had talks with the New Zealand Film Commission about the project some weeks ago. Before he returns to Britain on Friday, Mr Brown will have further talks with the commission. Although Mr Brown has had Httle chance to see any New Zealand television on this visit — he left for Britain at the age of 20, before television had started here — he has met local producers and has toured the production facilities at Avalon in Wellington. “I just can’t believe the budgets for their drama programes,” he said. It was to local programmemakers’ credit that they could make programmes for so little. “In Britain, by com-

parison, the television drama situation is very healthy,” he said. Certainly local producers must be envious of Mr Brown’s circumstances. “I’ve been very lucky,” he said. “Any idea I have had I’ve been able to put on.” “Edward and Mrs Simpson” began on a plane trip to Los Angeles, when Mr Brown read Frances Donaldson’s book, “Edward VIII.” At first, many people opposed the project as an invasion of privacy. The objection had little impact on Mr Brown. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor had created their own precedent with biographies and an authorised film, he considered. Making the series did not turn Mr Brown against the pair. “They were both fascinating people.” It did, however, improve his opinion of Stanley Baldwin, who is often regarded as the “villain” of the affair. “On the contrary, he behaved in a Christian and fatherly way,” said Mr Brown. “He did not want the King to abdicate.” When he returns to London, Mr Brown will begin work on a series that is part fantasy, “The Anne Lovington Hour,” about a woman who moves from the provinces to London.