HOLLYWOOD VISIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 13

HOLLYWOOD VISIT

PRODUCER FROM AUSTRALIA PLANS FOR FUTURE FILMS Seven months' experience as a guest director in. the studios of the Universal Films, at Hollywood, has recently been concluded by Mr. C. Chauvel, producer and director Tor 'Expeditionary.-Films, ■ Limited, of Sydney, who passed through Auckland by the Mariposa yesterday ; on his way back to Australia. He was accompanied by Mrs. Chauvel, who has been engaged at the same studios, and their daughter. Mr. Chauvel reported that he had interested the Universal -company in a scheme for producing films in Australia, in association with his concern. He had. also succeeded in forming an organisation to exploit in the United States the most recent of his Australian productions, _'' Uncivilised.'' It was to open on Broadway in about five weeks' time-.. , • • . • ; '; . "The . show business generally in America, aiid the intelligence displayed in presenting pictures, are well below the standard of' Australia and ISew Zealand," Mr. Chauvel added. He said that in the leading picture-houSo m Los Angeles there was still an oldfashioned panotrope in use in the foyer, and patrons had to find their own way to their seats. Also a popular feature was "bank nights," when presents were given away to encourage attendances. This, lie considered, tended to lower the prestige of the business. While in the United States he acquired the rights to a scenario dealing with the Australian Light Horse, and he was planning to produce a film on those lines, Mr. Chauvel a.dded. His uncle, Major - General Sir Harry Cliauvol. formerly commanded the Australian Light Horse.