ANOTHER MILESTONE REACHED

Evening Star, Issue 21633, 31 January 1934, Page 10

ANOTHER MILESTONE REACHED

AUSTRALIAN FILMS PRESENT ‘ HAYSEEDS '

Another milestone in the rapid progress of the Australian talkie industry is reached by * The Hayseeds, ’ the delightful comedy written and produced by Mr Beaumont Smith, managing director of the J. C. Williamson P.icturo Corporation, which will open at the Empire Theatre’s midnight matinee to-morrow night, commencing at 11 o’clock. . . Apart from its genuinely entertaining qualities as a comedy of Australian life, there, are many artistic virtues in the wide variety of beautiful scenery which ranges from the heart of the Australian bush to moonlit glimpses of Sydney Harbour and its amazing bridge. Furthermore, the texture and depth of the open-air photography (‘The Squatter’s Daughter showed how capable the Australian cameramen are at this typo of work) and the happy musical-comedy touch, represented by the singing girl hikeis show a commendable electicity ot imagination in the producer. _ . ‘The Hayseeds ’ are an interesting and very amusing family group—Mum and Dad (the latter, of course, with his famous whiskers) and their rathei rakish-looking children. The ’ picture retains, and, indeed, adds_ to, the humour which made .* On Our Selection ’ such a great success, being packed with those ridiculous and at the same time human situations wind may be found in Steele Kudd s, tales of farming life in Australia. Witty dalogue and happy genialities c °] ltu ™ al,y flow from the story which Mr Beaumont Smith his written, reaching great heights when the Hayseeds are suddenly confronted with the perplexities of city life. Cecil Kelleway, the: weU-known \\ illianison comedian, depicts in dehg i ful fashion the sturdy and genial humour of Dad, storm and drought on his faun uith philosophy cheerfulness and receives his just reward ■JU the end, Shirley Dale acts and sings charmingly a, Mnrv Townlcigh, the heroine whoso romance with John Manners, son ot an English peer, provides the plot with its romantic- and dramatic twists; Arthur Clarke proves himself to he the prosessor of a fine voice and acting talent as Manners; Katie Towers is natural and. robustly comical as Mum Hayseed, and Tal Ordell and Molly Ravnor, at the head of a well-chosen supporting cast, supply comedy m The Hayseeds ’ is excellent entertainment, of the type that should appeal to every member of the fanulj, and to every class of family.