Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Saturday 28 July 1934, page 9


CINESQUND FILMS. I

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

STATEMENT BY MR. STUART

DOYLE.

Mr. Stuart P. Doyle (managing director of Cinesound Productions, Ltd.) said yesterday that his company was pushing ahead with plans for future production. When the New South Wales and Victorian Governments pass their expected laws requiring exhibitors to screen a quota of Australian films the Cinesound studios mill be in a position to produce three large-scale pictures each yeal-, and from four to six "quota films."

At present the No. 1 studio at Bondi is workins at full capacity. The musical film, "Strike Me Lucky," in which Roy Rene ("Mo") appears, is now almost completed. The sets are already being made for "Grand-dad Rudd," in which Mr. Bert Bailey will have the leading role. Later Rolph Boldrewood's "Robbery Under Arms" will be under-

taken.

Mr. Doyle points out that Cinesound has at its disposal a complete organisation for pro-duction, distribution, exhibition, and over-sea exploitation of films. The associate com-pany, British Empire Films, has offices not only in Australia and New Zealand, but also In America and England, and In the East. A contract with the General Theatres Cor-poration ensures screening throughout the

Commonwealth.

Cinesound obtained what Mr. Doyle be-lieves to be the largest price so far paid for an Australian film, for its recent production, "The Squatter's Daughter." Under the new title of "Down Under" the film was bought by the American organisation, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for £7500 cash. This sum co-vered only the rights for distribution in the United Kingdom. At present Cinesound is negotiating the sale of "The Silence of Dean Maitland" in both England and America. Both "The Squatter's Daughter" and "The Silence of Dean Maitland" are being con-sidered by Pathe Freres for France, and bv the U.F.A. organisation for Germany. If they are shown in these countries French and German voices will be "dubbed in," and visual titles superimposed.

Two Cinesound productions will be made each year at the Melbourne studio, which is at present being equipped with up-to-date cameras and recording plant. During the balance of each year outside producers may rent the studio in the same way as they rent the No. 2 Sydney studio at Rushcutter Bay. Mr. Beaumont Smith is at present occuovins the local premises in order to make the indoor scenes for "Snlcndid Fellows." Another pro-ducer is waiting to lake possession of the

studio as soon as Mr. Smith finishes. i