Sir B. Fuller To Make Australian Films

Northern Advocate, 5 July 1939, Page 11

Sir B. Fuller To Make Australian Films

[Special to “Northern Advocate"'] SYDNEY. Sir Benjamin Fuller has decided to engage in film production. His first picture will be “Seven Little Australians,” based on the well known book by Ethel Turner. After I that, he is considering a story about Father Damien, who worked with the lepers at Molokai, and a screen version of Norman Lindsay's “Redheap,” which was banned as a novel. “Seven Little Australians” will be directed by Arthur Grevillc Collins, who .arrived from Hollywood some weeks ago. “In this country," Mr. Collins said,! “Stories must be the principal thing, j and not actors. You can create your i own stars. For, once an actor has | given a good performance in an inter- j esting screen story the public is j anxious to see him again.” | Errol Flynn’s Success. “The actors are here, right enough. Look at Errol Flynn. He appeared in an Australian film and went almost unnoticed. The moment he arrived in Hollywood, he was launched into a leading part and made a great success. He has sustained his popularity ever since.” ’ j Sir Benjamin Fuller proposes to j send Mr. Collins on a tour of all the j States, making film tests of promising \ children for “Seven Little Australians.” ; One child will be engaged in each state and one in New Zealand The picture will be photographed in the Commonwealth Laboratory studio at the Showground. Sir Benjamin says | that it will be ready for release by 1 Christmas.