DUNEDIN ACTOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26034, 24 December 1945, Page 6

DUNEDIN ACTOR

SERVED WITH THE R.A.F. FILM CAREER POSTPONED Colin Tapley, who has played featured I'oles in Hollywood productions since he left New Zealand 12 years ago, is home again. He returned by the Mooltan at the end of the week and intends to relax for a while until he makes plans for the future. Whether he will return to a career in films Mr Tapley is unable to say at the moment. In any case, as he pointed out, he feels rather far away from a film career at the moment. Nearly six years away, in fact, for in company with Patrick Knowles and several other actors, he left Hollywood early in 1940 to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served in Bomber Command in various parts of England, and at the time of his release he was a senior flying-control officer with the rank of squadron-leader. Now he is awaiting the arrival of his wife, an English girl, and their two small children, and is keenly interested in news of -the shipping movements which are involved in the repatriation of New Zealand personnel next month. Courage and Endurance

Mr Tapley could not say enough in praise of the spirit, endurance, and courage of the people of England. Now that the strain was off, however, they

were showing signs of tiredness, and this was particularly noticeable with the women. “After all,” he added, “ life has been a question of survival for them during these past six years, and so far as living conditions are concerned, there has been very little improvement since the war ended.' The queues remain, and the food rations, though adequate, do not allow of any variety and offer no margin. “Any plans I make must wait until my wife and family arrive. Now I am looking forward to meeting my old friends in Dunedin.” British Films “ English films have good prospects,” said Mr Tapley. “I did not see much of the industry while I was there, but it certainly leapt ahead during the war. Films like “San Demetrio” and “Target for To-night’’—the documentaries —were a long way ahead of the “ tosh” put out by the American companies, and the English companies will not lose the chance to exploit the position they have gained, especially as the economic set-up is likely to favour their expansion. More and more of their own people are coming to appreciate their releases.” Mr Tapley is staying at Wanaka at present with his brother, Mr Guy Tapley.