FILM OF AFRICA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 11 (Supplement)

FILM OF AFRICA

BRITISH EXPEDITION'S RETURN VIRGIN JUNGLE PENETRATED ■ Walter Summers, has returned to England from Africa, where be has been engaged in filming a new and unique film for 8.1.P.—" Timbuctoo," and in addition to relating the varied and exciting adventures of his unit, promises a genuine thrill for Elstree. He has arranged for four of the Yakouba cannibals who took part in the African scenes to come to the studios in about 6ix weeks time in order to complete the picture. Of these, one, Traa is a famous hunter and another, Klon', is the chief dancer of tho tribe and also a female impersonator, while the other two egfljl as warriors. Not only fpll their arrival represent the first occasion on which members ol this

almost unknown people may be seen in England, but also the first introduction of civilisation to the Yakouba—and as to performing in a British studio—it will positively be a new experience for everyone concerned. Summers' account of his trip is one ot tremendous interest, and, considering its extreme danger in a district of Africa fraught with peril for the unwary traveller, one attended by extreme good luck and good health. He has not only successfully accomplished the feat of securing a film in a district of Africa never before trodden by a white man, penetrating miles into virgin jungle, and of a people equally unknown, but ho has also made a second film quite distinct f' 01 " "Timbuctoo." This he calls ' Sahara, and it is intended as a memorial to those men who have made the crossing of the mighty desert possible. *' Sahara' was produced on the return, journey and when completed will be presented to the Royal Geographical Society for it represents the only film in existence of this subject. The greater part of " Timbuctoo " wns filmed on the French Ivory Coast, while the remainder was secured in the neighbouring districts of Timbuctoo itself and in the Sahara. Taking into account the journey to and from Elstree to North Africa and the distance across Africa and back as recorded by the speedometers of the company's cars, the total distance covered by the unit is calculated at eleven thousand miles, and isome 20,000 feet of film and sound track ware secured. Summers is now preparing to film scenes for " Timbuctoo" in the studio. Interior scenes that were impossible to secure in Africa through obvious lack of. arc light will be produced in settings which authentically reproduce the African locations. The interior of Batouba's house has already been built and is an exact replica of the original, furnishings having been brought back by Summers for the purpose. The cast, which hitherto has been represented only by Henry Kendall and Victor Stanley will now be augmented for the scenes which precede the hero s adventures abroad and details concerning its mambers will shortly be announced.