PICTURE FILMS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2066, 13 January 1925, Page 6

PICTURE FILMS.

NEW AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY. A strong effort will be made by Union Theatres Limited and Australasian Films Limited tto produce films in Australia of a quality that will justify inclusion in picture programmes gemerally, slaves the Melbourne Argus. With this object, in view, an. American producer (a Scotsman by birth), Mr F. Stuart Wliytte, has been engaged from the Unitecl States. Mr Wliyte, who has arrived from the United: Sates, produced in that country, especially in the Western States, revues, musical comedies, pantomimes, and moving pictures. In addition, he was associated with vaudeville. In Los Angeles for many years he had experience with some of the largest picture produotlions there. He was with the Douglas Fairbanks studio during the production of of the more ambitious of that actor's lectures.

Mr Whyte states that he is more interested in manufadhring pictures in Australia than in manufacturing Ausralian pictures. Ausralia, he considers, ha* all necessary scenic possibilities, locatSons and types, and, provided that pictures are produced on a safe, ecouomic basis, there is, in his opinion, eviery possibility of success. He does not agree with the principle of msing only ''legitimate" actors and actresses. He is more inclined to pick types from the general public ,and to use a number that have been tested in different theatres in conjunction with the Louiso tovely Seasons in the capitals. "It is not my mission to Australia," said Mr Whyte, 'to decry what has already been done. Rather do I wish 10 take advantage of study of past Australian pictures with a view to incorporating something novel in future attractions. Mv intention is not to prodlace enormous spectacles to begin with, but to base my efforts on bright, snappy, entertaining sttories." Mr Whyte referred to the financial phase of picture production, and emphasised the practical impossibility, from a financial point of view, of manufacturing pictures on the extravagant scale of the United States. To do- so, in his opinion, would be "a gamble"; but this, ho added, must not be taken to imply that if he were successful in obtaining a really excellent film, it would not bo exploited elsewhere. The primary object of the new enterprise was to introduce into Australia a picture which could be manufactured at a reasonable cost*, and could be substituted for films that are now released in the regular programmes.

"A masterpiece," Mr Whyte said, "does not evolve through a producer merely waving a magic wand. Picture production means months of organisation. It is not a business for amateurs, luvr can »t be lightly entered upon. Through the enterprise of my principals I have been placed in a position ti) tackle Australian production in a whole-hearted spirit, and I am already busy with my casting office and the selection of srt/.ulio and lort. It will be for the Australian public to say if I have succeeded."