Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 21 May 1947, page 1


Australian Children's Film

Success In London

From Our Staff Correspondent

. LONDON, May 20.There was cheering, whistling and clapping! by an en-thusiastic audience of English children yesterday when they were shown a "sneak preview" of "Bush Christmas," the fulllength children's film made by the J. Arthur. Rank organisa-

tion in Australia.

The film, which runs for more than an hour and a quarter, was produced in the Blue Mountains by the English producer, Ralph Smart, with an Australian staff and cast.

It is the first full-length film ever made specially for an audience of children, but'it will undoubtedly appeal to adults when it is released later for general distribution.

It tells the story of five children who track down and trap three horse thieves.

Practically the whole of the action is out of doors", and the scenery throughout is magnificent.

The thieves are played by

"Chips" Rafferty, John Fernside,

and Stan Tolhurst.

Chief, honours, however, go to the children, particularly Nicky and Michael Yardley, sons of the Syd-ney actor, Edgar Yardley.

For adults, the best feature of the film will be the masterly way the Australian bush-its sunshine and bird cries, its insect hum and sudden silences, its vastness and its beauty-and the Australian way of life in the bush, have been trans-ferred to the screen.

"Bush Christmas" will be screened at hundreds of Saturday morning children's cinema clubs which have been established at all the theatres owned by the Rank organisation.

,This afternoon the film will be shown to members of the House of Lords and the House of Com-mons to support the argument that British children under 12 be al-lowed to work in films for other children.