Will Hay Makes Six Features In 18 Months

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 263, 4 August 1939, Page 14

Will Hay Makes Six Features In 18 Months

WHEN Will Hay appears in the last ’ shot of his next comedy following the current Gainsborough Production “Ask A Policeman,” which G.B.D. will release shortly, this popular British comedian will have created what is almost certain to prove a record.

I-Ie will have starred in six feature films in the comparatively short period of 18 months. Three of these have already received universal approbation. In this list of six films Will Hay has already made four: “Oh! Mr. Porter,” “Convict 99,” “Hey! Hey! U.S.A.!” and “Old Bones of the River.” He is now appearing in “Ask A Policeman,” and has already started work on a vehicle in which he will be seen as a fireman.

Filming the first four pictures named, Will Hay worked on the set 165 days, incurring his spending over 1-100 hours in the studios. It is estimated

that during each hour more than 100 arc lamps have been directed on him and his co-players, involving the consumption of approximately 3000 amperes of electricity an hour. Contrasts are invaluable to good comedy and in the four films he has completed to date, the comedian has worn 30 different costumes, which have given him about 225 changes.

He has used eight wigs, two for eavh picture. One wig he used on alternate shooting days, while its companion was being re-dressed. More than 2500 extra players have taken part in the series of four pictures. Over 200. of a staff is employed on each film lie makes. With the completion of his humorous sextette, Will Hay intends to pursue his hobby of travelling and take a long cruise before returning to films.