Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 21 May 1949, page 1


FILM HOAX ON GIRL FAILS

A bogus talent scout yesterday offered an attractive Adelaide girl

£4 a day to play a part in the Ealing film 'Bitter Springs,' now being filmed at Quorn. The 'talent scout' stopped the girl, a receptionist at a King William street photo-graphic studio, in King William street and spoke to her for half an hour.

The girl doubted his offer, and later discovered he was a hoaxer. The man, who was middle-aged, said he was a talent scout and reeled off the names of several well-known theatrical people. 'Test on horseback' The girl said later: 'He said I would be chaperoned during the film. He said actresses were badly needed. ''Some we've got can't even

make goo-goo eyes,' he said. 'He questioned me about my ability as a horsewoman, and suggested I should undergo a test on horseback. He assured me a doctor would be in attend-ance in case of mishap.' The girl said she left the man when 'he went away to get a contract'. British Empire Films manager (Mr. K. G. Cleaver) said today there was no talent scout from the company in Adelaide. The man was an impostor.