SCENIC EXTRAORDINARY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 9, 11 July 1934, Page 3

SCENIC EXTRAORDINARY

ROMANTIC NEW ZEALAND

A special screening was given at the State Theatre before members of teaching staffs-and representatives of educational institutions, of the Dominion-pro-duced film, "Eomantic New Zealand," which is to-be shown in that theatre beginning oii.'Fridivy, prior to its being sent overseas. •

The difficulty in producing "Eomantie New Zealand" was not to find material of excellence, mountain and glacier, river and lake, thermal wonders and Maori life, forest and bird life, industry and sport, glimpses of main centres, but to give them a sequence in a single film. There is, in fact, ample material for several splendid scenics in the new ground covered by "Eomantic New Zealand."

Several sections of the film, of Botorua and Maori life, are shown in the New Zealand " tru-colour " process, and aro remarkably effective, suggesting great possibilities in the further development and application of tho process. The spoken description adds to the interest of tho production, and pleasing variety is given by the occasional song backgrounds in tho Maori sections and certain of the liver and lake scenes.

At the conclusion of the screening, Mr. J. A. Malcolm,.of the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department, addressed ■ the audience,: stating that, as had beea done in tire South. Island, the Department had invited the educational authorities to attend a private screening so that they might see for themselves the educational value of the production. The picture had been produced for screening overseas, but the Department desired that every opportunity should be given for the people of the Dominion, and particularly the children, to see it before it was sent abroad.

Mr. T. Forsyth, chairman of the Education Board, on behalf of those present, thanked the Department for the opportunity afforded them, and remarked that if all films were of the standard of "Romantic New Zealand" there would be little work for the censor to do.