has a Flying Start.... ROYALTY AT HOME

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 47, 26 February 1936, Page 14

has a Flying Start....

ROYALTY AT HOME

Some Fashions That Will Be Worn

MPBiSffiOTATIONAL STUDIOS at 'Hlfl Pagewood all last week was a scene of thriving activity when work was started on “The" Plying Doctor,” and there was about it a Hollywoodish air. Whether the great ■, American City of Make-Be-lieve is like Pagewood can be only a matter of conjecture to one not having seen it, but when one beholds an army of experts on dutykeen, alert, efficient, working with precision and perfect organisation, and sees them later in their moments of relaxation —happy and apparently carefree individuals: one senses that out here real business is meant. However, the worst of such efficiency as is being displayed at Pagewood is that it is no easy matter to gain an entree while shooting is in progress. But, for the sake of this page and under dire threat of being hastily

Personalities on the Set

ejected u one so inuuu uo uic»wivu out of turn, a short admission to the sanctuary of sanctuaries was permitted early in the week, And what did one see? What appeared to be dozens of men and three women—our own glorious Margaret Vyner, the continuity girl (who watches the script), and the director’s secretary. At this stage Miss Mary Maguire had not started work on the set but did so later in the week, as also did Mr. Charles Farrell. For a time one could not keep from focussing one’s eyes on the too ravishing Margaret Vyner in a black satin gown caught at the throat with a three-stranded necklet of huge pearls. And acting, too, with all the poise and skill of a veteran. In a very little while, however, out

(From Our Sydney Correspondent.}

of the confusion of many men, one became aware of Mr. Miles Mander, director of the film—quick, nervous, insistent, thorough to the last detail, one eye on Margaret, the other on Eric Colman (Margaret's "husband”), both on the camera, ears on everything and mind obviously gripping the whole situation. Thinfeatured, slimly built, as quick to smile as to break into a show of temperament, this man soon revealed by iks outstanding personality why British-Gaumont had chosen him to come to Australia to

make a film. Squatting on the floor was another “big pot,” Captain Orton, scenario writer, 'entirely different in type from the director—thickset, ruddycomplexioned, fair hair and blue

eyes of the true Nordic, pleasantfaced, and wearing a small black beret with a bright color touch to his toilette of a

jaae green woven smrc unaer nis crash' cardigan. Then there was Derek Williams, the English cameraman and lighting expert, tall, young and quite good looking enough to be a film star in his own right. Mr. Conochie, also young, good looking, and of the business-man order, production manager, watchful of costs and general management. Australian Richard Ridgway, designer of the clever sets, and himself quite picturesque with red and white spotted cravat worn under his short-sleeved canvas shirt. And in the midst of this scene of men in various stages of informal wear were two smart men in dinner suits and palely-tinted blue dress shirts, with faces made up in ochre. James Raglan, the flying doctor, and Eric Colman. Very important, too, was the make-up man, always at hand to put any stray bit of curl to rights on Miss Vyner’s fair head or to apply a little more makeup to whoever might need it. All these men had assistants and some even assistant-assistants. But a man who apparently had no assistants whatever was the props man. He was everywhere with his

duster or his fly spray. Miss Vyner had walked off the set and dirtied the soles of her shoes. The props man was on his knees dusting them. A footmark appeared on the black carpet. Off that came. Then S.O.S. Danger in the heights! A grasshopper which might fly in front of the camera just at the wrong mo-

ment and assume the proportions of a camel! He must be destroyed. Then there came flies. The props man is indeed a very busy man. In fact, every member of the large unit was there with a definite purpose, and that is how “The Flying Doctor” got its flying start. Miss Mary Maguire, the exquisite

little Janet Gaynorish girl from Queensland, is playing the leading feminine role, with Charles Farrell (whose easy manner and ready smile have already set Australian hearts aflutter), and some of the clothes in'which she will work her way through the production are shown on this page. Mary will be a romantic little farmer’s daughter and will be seen back on the farm and l&ter in high life. As Mary’s role is that of an unspoiled darling of the people, she is being dressed accordingly, and provides a remarkable foil for the sophisticated beauty of Miss Vyner. “If we had hunted England we could not have found two girls more to our liking than these two,” said Captain Orton. “Australia has some lovely girls indeed,” he added. The responsible task of designing frocks lor the two young stars was given to another quite young Australian, Miss Zara Gaden, of David Jones’s, and while she designed, her firm carried out her plans, after, of course, they had had Mr. Miles Mander’s approval. It was a little help to Miss Gaden in her important duty that she had had stage experience with J. C. Williamson, so that she was able to introduce the necessary dramatic touch to the frocking when required to do so. On this page we have shown Miss Maguire in overalls and rush hat, in riding kit, in morning frock of plain and spotted linen, and in a charmingly girlish evening gown of broderie anglaise which, though the essence of chic, is not too elaborate for the purpose for which it is intended. In addition to these we shall see Miss Maguire in a city dance frock and in her wedding gown, a truly lovely thing, exquisite in its billowing tulle and soft simplicity. Miss Vyner is shown in a black satin dinner gown to which she later adds a chic little hat with forehead veil and a wonderful silver fox cape made of seven finely-matched foxes and valued at 245 guineas. It has also a new feature—a large black satin artist’s bow to secure it, instead of the usual head clips. Also Miss Vyner will wear a stunning and glamorous evening gown of black and silver lame. Off the set, of course, slacks and negligee shirt? are the order of the dressing.

The Late King’s Parrot. One of the things which endears the Royal family to the nation is their love of pets, states a writer in an exchange. The late King, for instance, had a great affection for his famous parrot Charlotte, which had been in his pos- ■ session for over 40 years. Like many sailors, His Majesty had always had a partiality for parrots, and Charlotte was the fourth one lie had owned since he was a boy. An infallible indication of the King’s favour was when he invited a visitor to see Charlotte. It is said that the Royal parrot occasionally uses indiscreet language in the form of some choice nautical expressions, and the story goes that a certain bishop was shocked to the core when he heard them. But these moments of aberration were rare, and as a rule Charlotte was wellbehaved. Squared-Toe Shoe. The new autumn line, which will set all women talking, is the squared toe. This looks most elegant on the foot, and is said to be most comfortable in the wearing. Heels are squared to conform. All these “flats” are made in black, brown, navy, a rich new shade in the wine family known as Kenya red, and—• most popular of all—bottle green. This is the first time that green has ever sold well. Lover of Riding. Princess Elizabeth owns two ponies, one a birthday present from the late King a few years ago and the other purchased by her father a little later. The Princess loves riding —she has a remarkably good seat for a child—and takes the closest interest in the feeding and grooming of her ponies, giving them lumps of sugar out of her own hand and talking to them in a delightfully intimate way. Royal Goldfish. Some time ago a friend of the Duke presented Princess Elizabeth with a beautiful crystal globe of goldfish, and now her first act when she comes downstairs in the morning is to look at her charges. Privileged visitors to 145 Piccadilly are usually summoned to see the goldfish by their proud owner. A short time ago the little Princess became a dog owner, and her Corgi puppy now. trots along behind his Royal mistress, usually on the end of a leash. / Energetic Gardener. In recent years, much of the leisure of King Edward VIII has been devoted to gardening, and the grounds at Belvedere are a monument to his energy and enthusiasm. He also shared, however, much of the late King’s enthusiasm for stamp collecting, and his extensive travels have afforded him wonderful opportunities to add to his collection. King Edward is also a voracious reader, and much of his spare time is spent with his books. ; A Fine Engineer. } ~ If the Duke of York had not been bom Royal Prince, he would certainly have been a fine engineer, and it is therefore not remarkable that he spends much of his time in a little engineering shop of his own at 145 Piccadilly. Here he has a fine outfit of tools and a splendid lathe, and he turns out many small articles for his own satisfaction. He is the wireless expert of the Royal Family, and takes pride in looking after the sets of liis relatives. Good For Everyone. Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret! Rose are being taught, while still so young, that hobbies are good for everyone. The former; is already by way of being an enthusiastic stamp collector, and she looks to her father and uncles for their help. She already possesses several albums, and announced her; intention recently of acquiring a complete collection of Jubilee stamps. Her younger sister* is at the stage when a collection of dolls is the chief delight in life, but she is beginning to spend her pocket money in acquiring a collection of china animals, and her fond uncles see that the collection does not cease to grow. Enthusiastic Needlewoman. The Duchess of York is an enthusiastic needlewoman, but she is also a collector, being particularly interested in old brass. In this she is aided by her husband and relatives, and one piece that she has acquired recently, a huge antique gong, beautifully chased, now in use at her house, is a great joy to her. One might describe the main hobby of the Duchess, however, as helping the sick and needy. Prince Edward’s Crib. Visitors to little Prince Edward’s nursery admire his simple crib, designed to conform with modern ideas with regard to the free access of fresh air and light rather than with “pretty-pretty” effects. What a contrast is afforded to the historic old cradle in which the baby’s father once slept and which the Queen has loaned to the London Museum! This cradle was made nearly a century ago for the elder children of Queen Victoria, and since then has held various members of the Royal Family in three generations. Duchesses Set Example. Following the example of the Duchesses of Gloucester and Kent, women are taking to the lower-heeled shoe. Technically known as “flats,” they are sure winners and will be the vogue for many months to come. They are extraordinarily comfortable, and an inner lining of felt makes for warmth and flexibility of sole. The shoe can be bent double and no harm done. Immediately it is worn it gives to the foot, and no “breaking-in” is necessary. Kid Shoes. Kid may be used sparingly for trimming, but if the shoe is green so will its trimming be; if uavy, navy throughout, and so on. Trimming on the new models is distinctive and restrained, perhaps just a little leather thonging, equally restricted punching, or merey self-ribbing horizontally across the vamp. A lovely pair of navy blue suede court shoes has inlets of gunmetal kid on toes, sides, heels, and tiny bow. Pinhead punching outlines the inlets. There are no colour alliances except with white foe summer wear.