ROYAL WEDDING PRESENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26777, 21 May 1948, Page 2

ROYAL WEDDING PRESENTS

Preview of Technicolor Film By Harvey Blanks LONDON, May 8. Millions of people overseas who dirt not have the chance to see the royal wedding gifts last year will now have their curiosity satisfied, for the J. Arthur Rank Organisation has produced a technicolor film of the entire display at St. James Palace. It is made by Castleton Knight, the man who was responsible for the original wedding film and the Victory Parade, and will also produce Britain’s 10-reel technicolor record of the 1948 Olympic Games. About 200 copies of the wedding presents film have been ordered for exhibition at home and abroad, and different editions are being prepared with the commentary in various languages. I had a preview of the film yesterday, and I believe that everyone who sees it will enjoy it. While it cannot deal in detail with all the many thousands of gifts which were received, it gives a very good impression of their range and diversity. It includes close-up views of Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress, and also a striking section showing the exquisite •jewellery and china which were among the finest of all the gifts. I had a conversation with the producer, Mr Knight, after the screening, and he gave me some details of the extraordinary success enjoyed by his film of the royal wedding throughout the world. It has already been seen, he stated, by more, than 100,000,000 people,-in almost every country except Russia. MQst notable success was scored, surprisingly, in Germany. In Hamburg alone the film was shown 11 times daily for 25 weeks in succession, playing to full houses for the entire period. , t r Another ex-enemy country which enjoyed this record of a happy occasion was Japan. Mr Knight said he had received a personal letter of congratulation and appreciation from the Emperor. Over 250 copies were flown to the United States, where they are still being shown.