MAKING FILMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22404, 28 April 1936, Page 13

MAKING FILMS

AUSTRALIA'S PROGRESS HOLLYWOOD ACTOR'S VISIT Every confidence in the future of the motion picture industry in Australia was expressed by Mr. Charles Farrell, the noted Hollywood actor, who arrived by the Aorangi yesterday from Sydney. Mr. Farrell "has been in Australia for several months, having been engaged to play the leading role in the Gaumont-Fox picture '"The Flying Doctor," which was recently completed. After a short personal appearance tour of the North Island he will leave Auckland by the Mariposa on Saturday for Honolulu and Los Angeles, Mr. Farrell said he had greatly enjoyed his visit to Australia. He was surprised at the progress already made there in film-making and considered that a large industry would eventually be built up. What particularly impressed him was the excellence of the studios, the National studio in Sydney being particularly fine. "As to the ability of the players," he added, "I do not know what they are like as a whole, but I know that those who acted with me were very good indeed." Before absolute efficiency could be obtained, however, it would be necessar}' to bring expert technicians and cameramen from Hollywood. That was realised, said Mr. Farrell, and it was part of the Australian producers' policy to do so. If the industry was to pay, the products would have to be of such a quality that they could sell to a world market. The Australian and New Zealand markets might return the cost and perhaps a small profit on an Australian picture, but further receipts would have to be obtained elsewhere. Mr. Farrell gave short addresses at the St. James' and Majestic Theatres last night.