West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Friday 11 August 1933, page 3


AUSTRALIAN TALKIES.

Cinesound's Big Programme.

Three fully-equipped studios are now owned by Cinesound Productions/ Ltd., and in them at least 16 pictures will be made within the next 18 months at a

total cost of about £160,000. Cinesound's managing director, Mr. Stuart F. Doyle, recently made a comprehensive policy statement, during which he predicted that the pictures would bring a gross revenue of half a million pounds— £300,000 in Australasia and £200,000 abroad. 'The Squatter's Daughter,' Cinesound's second talking picture, is now receiving its finishing touches at the company's original studio, at Bondi. The second Sydney studio., at Rushcutter's Bay, has been let to Beaumont Smith for the production

Bert Bailey, who plays the part of Dad in 'On Our Selection,' now at the Majestic Theatre.

Bert Bailey, who plays the part of Dad in 'On Our Selection,' now at the Majestic Theatre.

of 'The Hayseeds,' while the Cinesound St. Hilda studio, which will soon bo officially opened, is at present occupied by Centenary Films, a new organisation. Besides manufacturing its own pictures, said Mr. Doyle, Cinesound would invite independent producers to use its studios and have the benefit of the most uptodate equipment.Six Six feature productions would have to be made by Cinesound by the . end of 1934 in accordance with the schedule which had ueen adopted, but the number would probably be increased to eight; There were to be 10 independent prod'v.tions, but Cinesound would probably be associated with these in some way, besides being responsible for their technical merit. | While £ 10.000 had been set down at the average cost of a picture, Mr. Doyle said that some of Ciuesound's productions would involve an expenditure of twice that amount. A sum of £20,000 had been set aside for 'Robbery Under Arms,' the biggest production of those listed. There is to be regular work at all of the studios, ond Mr. Doyle points out that haif of the £160,000 to be spent, on the production of talkies will be devoted to salaries and wages. Cinesound does not intend to monopolise the Bondi studio m future. It will use or let it in accordance with general working plans. Bigger sets can be accommodated at St. Kilda than at Bondi. Mr. Doyle sa'd that every picture Cinesound made would earn in Australia the money that was spent on it. A film that would also prove a good attraction overseas would be very profitable, although the cost of distribution abroad was much heavier than in Australia. As the result of its experience, Cinesound productions would be placed in two divisions. Some pictures would -be manufactured with the view of capturing the British market, while others would be reserved for Australasia.