Items For Theatre-Goers EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BOY FOR ROLE OF YOUNG OLIVER TWIST

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 1948, Page 8

Items For Theatre-Goers EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BOY FOR ROLE OF YOUNG OLIVER TWIST

Little John Howard Davies came downstairs to say goodnight to hrs parents ana stepped into him tame. He was chosen from more than 1000 applicants for the title role in “Oliver Twist.’’ A child with an unruly mop of hair, he has a whimsical face and large expressive eyes.

All the young applicants had been interviewed and tested in vain when Cineguild's casting director Dennis van Thai, visiting John Davies, a London journalist, saw little John in his dressing gown, saying goodnight to his parents.

Said the casting director to the journalist, “Your son is the ideal Oliver Twist.” His judgment was confirmed almost immediately by producer Ronald Neame and director David Lean. Young John Davies was signed for the part.

When John started work at Pinewood he seldom spent more than one hour—and never more than two —on the set each day. The rest of his time at the studios was devoted to lessons (in his own schoolroom), and walks in the woods of the surrounding countryside. He was taken to and from the studios each day in a special car.

Normally John Davies goes to the Hall School. Hampstead, where one of the other pupils is the son of Food Minister John Strachey. John made several new friends among the other boys in “Oliver Twist.” His most frequent companion was 15-year-old Anthony Newley, the Artful Dodger. Tony’s hobby is carving wooden animals, and he made John a horse and some cows. John, too young yet to have read Charles Dickens, had the story of “Oliver Twist” explained to him by his mother. He learned his lines by going over them at night with her while she explained to him the scenes he would have to act. Like most children he has an astonishing memory, and can repeat a whole page of script after hearing the words only a few times.

Until he started his film work John received sixpence a week, but now he gets a shilling. Soon he will be given his first pound note. Ronald Neame is giving him an electric train.

Listeners to the programme “Radio Newsreel’’ on Wednesday night heard John being interviewed by a 8.8. C. reporter. He has a natural manner and a pleasant childish voice. The film has just been completed.