West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Wednesday 25 October 1933, page 15


AUSTRALIAN FILMS,

MR. C. FLEMMING'S VIEWS. Dressing Up the Bushman.

Australian films are popular in England and the possibilities of film-making in Australia are considerable, according to Mr. Claude Flemminir. an Australian actor.

who is travelling to Melbourne . on the liner. Mooltan, which passed through Fremantle from London yesterday. After an absence of several years abroad, he is returning under contract to Efftee Film Productions, Ltd., to appear in and direct talkies and stage plays. 'The film industry in Australia has a great future and from now on there should be a regular, supply of Australian pictures,' he said in -an interview. 'Eng-land wants good Australian pictures, but English audiences will not accept indifferent Australian productions any more than they will go to see poor American pictures. 'His Royal Highness,' an Australian musical film, scored a marked success throughout England and English distributors regard George Wallace, the principal, as one of the very best of film comedians. 'Films depicting the outdoor life of Australia are also well liked in England.' he ndded, 'but vre must dress up the Australian bushman and make him a little more picturesque, as the Americans have done with their cowboy. The bushman should, be created (for film purposes) as a national Australian character. There

is a goocT. demand for Australian -pictures in England and at a time of intense Imperial thought,' as at present/ every effort Bhoiild-be inade 'tor*give 'thfe people*. 'the' best .possible ,: Australian '?? films.' ' ' ' His ' first ,jrork in, Australia;' Mr.- Flemming?-said,S would: i.ber in :! connection: with: the production of a' 'tajkierof William1 Hat-: field's ^6v'el,'Sh€ieRmates,J- the first scenes of .which were recently made oh the exact location '^mentioned in'^the novel near Tilbury . Docks, London. ' ' He would appear in 'the film; ''which-'' would-be directed'by Mr. F. Thring. Later, he would appear in. and direct a musical comedy,.' 'Go jlett's Innj'' which would open at the- Princess Theatre, Melbourne, .' at Christmas time,' with '; a cast including : Gladys Moncrieff, 'Robert Chisholm and George. Wallace:- He. mentioned that .' the 'Efftee Company 'had acquired; a new studio in: Melbourne and had installed modern .'sound equipment.. ; Born in. Sydney in 1884, Mr. Flemming raade.his stage debut at the Theatre; Royal, Perth, inl9Q3 as The Dauphin in 'Henry V.' -He last appeared in Perth in 1923 and later played with Gladys Moncrieff and Robert Chisholm in the Eastern States in 'Maid -of the Mountains,' and other similar productions.' He. went- to Holly-' wood in 1926 and there, he spent ''three yeara in film-making. He made a series of travel pictures in colour and on going to England, he produced a film depicting London and the life of the people in the city. He said that the film bad been sent to Australia,. .. Immediately before' leaving London, he. was appearing -in a musical, stage play, 'Music in the .'Air,' and' the producer, Mr. 0; B.' Cochram, releaaed, him. ta. allow him ito'^eturlx to Auatralk.:.:4)ther ^iiairalians in th« play were Lane* Fairfax and Donald*-. Warnii

Mr. CLAUDE .FLEMMING.

Mr. CLAUDE .FLEMMING.