FIRST NEW ZEALAND “TALKIE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22393, 15 October 1934, Page 11

FIRST NEW ZEALAND “TALKIE”

PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES COMPANY ON LOCATION Work was continued over the week-end with the filming of the first New Zealand all-talking feature picture, “Down on the Farm.” The complete production unit was assembled at Mr B. S. Irwin’s property, “ Eavenscliffe,” Woodside, where several sequences were taken and many others rehearsed until the players were considered to be action perfect. One of the outstanding scenes of.the comedy, a wrestling match between the two principal comedians, John Stewart Dick and Bert Nelson, was rehearsed yesterday, and it is proposed to film this incident, which will be staged at Woodside as part of a country fair sequence, on Labour Day. The producers are sparing no efforts <to make this, the first New Zealand all-talk-ing production, an outstanding success and, judging from their efforts, the picture should equal, if not surpass, many of the imported films. Already the production has created a great deal of interest, and visitors from the Taieri and the city become more numerous each time the company is rehearsing. No fewer than 65 cars were counted at Woodside yesterday. The cast, which spent the week-end at Outram, gave an impromptu concert in the Woodside School hall on Saturday evening, the proceeds being in aid of a street lighting fund. In spite of the adverse weather conditions the hall was filled to capacity, and the programme showed the audience that the talent which is at the disposal of the producers is of exceptional quality.