TOO REALISTIC

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16806, 20 November 1928, Page 7

TOO REALISTIC

FILMING OF WAR SCENE V.C, CLAIMS DAMAGES (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.! (Received November 20, noon.) LONDON, November 19. Before the lung's Bench, the Australian Victoria Cross winner, Leonard Keysor, sued the film producer, Q. B. Samuelson, for damages for injuries received in filming a re-enactment of the Gallipoli bombing episode, for which Keysor was decorated. The plaintiff's case was that in consideration of £75 a week he went to the studio at Isleworth. Smoke bombs and gunpowder were used in the reproduction of a trench scene. He alleges, that the bombs were carelessly thrown, while an electrical discharge of gunpowder was faulty. As a result a bomb, and also gunpowder, exploded in his face, fracturing his jaw, inflicted 100 incised wounds on the left forearm, and 50 wounds on the knee. He was confined to bed for five and a-half weeks. The jaw, despite operations, was permanently disfigured. Examined, Keysor denied that he had not told Samuelson about the sand-bag portion or" the episode. "Samuelson. told me a lot of things I did to get the Victoria Cross, but I hadn't done them at all." (Laughter.) A doctor ordered him to Monaco, which was very quiet. Mr. Beyfus, for defence: I suppose you went across the border to Monte Carlo? Keysor: Oh, yes. Mr. Justice Horridge: I do not think you need pursue that. Keysor admitted thai lie did not know the cardboard jam tin bombs were empty, with a small piece of fuse attached. Mr. Beyius: I suggest not one of the bombs exploded.

Keysor: There was a 'certain amount of smoke. Something exploded when 1 threw them back

i)efendant gave evidence. He said he included the sandbag after Keysor had told him of \t It was not the case that the signal for firing Ihe charge was the dropping of the sandbag. The scheme was as safe as it could l>e in anj war j ?h e hearing was adjourned.