TROUBLE AT STUDIO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 88, 14 April 1938, Page 3

TROUBLE AT STUDIO

EXASPERATING EXTRAS

“All quiet please,” called Cinesound property man George Yates, when the noise from 20 extras at Cinesound studios held up production on “Let George Do It,” the other day. Completely ignoring the call, the row continued as extras aimlessly ran around the set.

“Brainless creatures,” muttered “props,” noting the look of annoyance on Director Ken Hall’s face. “Positions please,” was the next order.

One by one the “extras” were placed in rows—but just as the cameras began to roll, they jumped down from their positions, and huddled together in a corner of the set.

George Wallace and Joe Valli, a disreputable pair in crushed and old suits, surveyed the situation. “Tie 'em down,” muttered George. “Catch ’em first,” suggested Joe.

“Dim the lights,’ ’said the patient Mr. Hall, “and don’t worry them. They must be camera conscious—leave them alone and they'll go back on their own —I hope!” The studio settled down to play a waiting game. After a few minutes, one or two “extras,” hopped back into their positions, and others, shrinking as far as possible from George Wallace and Joe Valli, as they calmly sat in the middle of the set. refused to budge from the corner.

Mr. Hall's patience suddenly snapped. “Take down the perches and lie on the floor,’ ’he said to the comedians. So, stretched out on a bed of straw, in a fowlyard, George and Joe peacefully rested among 20 white Leghorn fowls while two or three of the braver spirited ones, contentedly reposed on George's brawny chest. “That’s grand,” said the now exhausted Mr. Hall. “Cameras! Action - rol l

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