PUBLICITY FILMS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 13 September 1928, Page 6

PUBLICITY FILMS

SOME NEW TRIUMPHS Ever sinco the Publicity Department embarked seriously on the film industry its operators have produced scenic gems which more than adequately present the charms of New Zealand, and which will bear comparison with similar productions from any other part of the world.. To see the latest of these, the Minister in Charge of Publicity, the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates, invited members of Parliament, prominent citizens, and others to a screening yesterday in tho Artcraft Theatre, an invitation which was accepted by a large number. Mr. Coates, after expressing gratification at tho work of the Department, apologised for tho nonscreening of pictures of the arrival of the Southern Cross, saying that the damp weather had prevented the film drying. Ho hoped, however, that all those present would be able to return in tho afternoon and see it. 'The Maori as He Was" provided the subject matter for the first of the films shown yesterday morning. Although by no means complete in its presentation of the life of the Maori, it was more than sufficient to stimulate interest overseas in one of tho world's most picturesque races, the photography and artistry of the film being of a very high order. Another very fine production gave one all the thrills, but from an armchair, of catching a gigantic swordfish, in the Bay of Island, this being a film which will make fishermen in other parts of tho world green with envy when they see it. Scenic subjects included a very comprehensive film of the Wairakei Valley, all its well-known thermal wonders being recorded with great skill. Less awesome, but more picturesque, was a film of the Southern Lakes, which concluded with a glimpse of the fighting qualities of the Atlantic salmon. The Dominion's wheat harvests were graphically depicted in another film, as wore also tho bygone days when men rushed the Shotover Eiver in quest of, golden nuggets. This film in particular shows the skill that the Department's operators possess in instilling what is usually called "human interest" into their productions: a little story runs through it and makes the old days live again for the present generation. After an, hour's programme those present left with many expressions of pleasure at what they had seen and of •ppreciation of the valuable work that the Publicity Department ia doing in making known overseas, by means of the film, tho varied attractions and beauties of the Dominion.