Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Saturday 22 September 1934, page 10


UNIQUE QUEENSLAND SCENERY

CINESOUND MAY USE IN PICTURES

'The typical Queensland scenery is something Australia can offer the world that cannot be obtained elsewherp.' said thfi general manaeer and

production director 01 umesound productions, Ltd. (Mr. K. Hall), yesterday. Mr. Hall is on his way to Cairns to visit the Barrier Reef, the canefields, and other parts. He said his .company had been considering Queensland for some time as a background for pictures; It had no suitable stories yet, but he was making an inspection in anticipation. They had to regard Queensland as a definite possibility for picture production, because of its geographical position. Its weather was safer and surer than in the South, and, as any Queensland pictures would be mostly outside productions, dependable weather was desirable. He instanced the production of 'The Squatter's Daughter,' which had taken 18 weeks instead of 10 owing to rainy weather. Cinesound Queensland pictures would be filmed with a mobile unit which had been prepared for working at a distance from the studio. There was at present no thought of building a studio in Queensland, as the cost was enormous. The plant at the Waverley studio in Sydney, which was small compared with those overseas, was worth about £30,000, and the necessary laboratory equipment cost £25,000. Mr. Hall said his company was gradually building up a supply of actors. One of the difficulties at present was the lack of trained talent. Australian pictures had been very well received. Receipts from 'The Squatter's Daughter,' in Australia, had been 80 per cent, greater than those from the average American film, and at least double those from American special productions.