NEW COLOUR PROCESS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 939, 8 December 1933, Page 3

NEW COLOUR PROCESS.

British Manufacturer’s Great Invention.

Mr R. L. Grant, personal representative ill New Zealand for British International Pictures, Elstree, who is at present in Christchurch for the opening of the Australian film, “ The Squatter’s Daughter,” at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow, holds high hopes for the success of the new' Raycol Colour film process, which is shortly to be introduced throughout theatres in Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Grant, who is also general manager in New Zealand for the newlyformed British Empire Films Company, Ltd., stated that this great invention was the work of a British millionaire silk manufacturer. Engineers were already on their way out to Australia to instal the equipment in the Cinesound Studios for use in their next big production. The invention was so simple that the ordinary projector in use in theatres to-day would be quite adequate to show the new colour lilm, with the addition of just a small apparatus fastened to the projector. In this new process the film was specially treated and was projected through a prism system. Mr Grant said that to look at the finished article the untrained eye would be unable to see any difference between the ordinary black and white film. The great advantage of this system was that clarity was not lost, as is usually the case when the

“ frames ” were l'and-painted, the pictures being both as sharp and clear as the best black and white. Strides Forward.

Mr Grant said that he was certain that the British Studios were making great strides forward and that they had become an increasing force in the entertainment world. As an instance of this he cited a cablegram received from London this morning regarding the screen version of Lady Eleanor Smith’s famous novel, “ The Red Waggon.’’ At the gala performance held last evening in London which was attended by his Highness the Prince of Wales, the film was accorded one of the most enthusiastic receptions ever given to a British picture. lie said that it was interesting to note that Charles Bickford who scored a great success in virile roles in American productions, was the star of “ The Red Waggon.” By the importation of many more famous stars from Hollywood, said Mr Grant, Britain hoped to wrest from America the leadership which she had so long held To do this she had imported such famous screen personalities as Bebe Daniels, Victor Varconi, Thelma Todd, Ben Lyon, Sally Eilers and Greta Nissen. who would all shortly be seen in British productions.

“ Australia, like Britain, is also making great strides in the production field and her two latest efforts, “ The Squatter’s Daughter ” and “ The Hayseeds," are typical examples of this belief.”