Boy's Cinema (1935-39)

BOY'S CINEMA Tuesday Ai> letters to the Editor should be addressed to BOY'S CINEMA, Room 220, The Fleetway House, Farringdon Street, London, B.C.4, " Sanders of the River " A West African barrack square, sur- loundcd by the offices of Commissioner Sanders and the quarters for his native -. was constructed at Elstree for some .it the studio sequences of "Sanders of the River," most of which was filmed in Africa. This scene had to match up with some sequences taken in Africa, and the tropical midday sun beating dov square was reproduced by one of the largest assemblies of sun-arc lights ever UM.d in a motion-picture. Across the square was drawn a com- pany of the Royal West African Frontier Force, native Hausa soldiers in red fezes, khaki tunics, and shorts, bare feet, titles, and bayonets, anil long, heavy knives at their sides for use in jungle country. shuts of tins native Hausa force, renowned for their smartness and bravery, were secured in Africa. The manoeuvres cf the studio contingent were brought to a high standard of efficiency by ex-Sergeant major Bird, of the Brigade of Guards, who has assisted in military scenes in Several London films. Survey for suitable locations to shoot the film in Africa were made by 'plane. On one occasion, when (he 'plane came low down, a magnificent herd of three hundred elephants was sighted, and as it Hew over them at a height of a few hundi ed feet, they raised their trunks and pawed the air with their forefeet as if trying to reach the 'plane. This herd \\ as cleverly photographed and in- corporated in the film. A certain amount of filming was done in the Nabugabo district of Nasaka, Uganda, where Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer had made "Trader Horn " a few years previously. There were very few monkeys in that district, and the "Trader Horn" unit had transported some theie from other localities. The " Sanders of the River " expedition found that these monkeys had multiplied, and the place was now literally overrun with them, and their chattering and mis- chievous ways interfered with the sound- recording vans. .Many of the principal scenes were photographed at Gulu and other places with the special permission of the Governments concerned, and have never before been recorded. The most im- portant scenes were taken among the Aeholi natives at Gulu, in Uganda—a primitive but intelligent people, wearing no clothing and of wonderful physique. Their strange customs, war dances and marriage ceremonies foim part of this marvellous film. These Aeholi natives understood what r< quired of them, .and entered wholeheartedly into the spirit of the scenes. One native in particular was a perfect, example of a natural actor. He was called Aboya, stood six feet six inches in height, and had a wonderful voice for singing the tribal songs. Paul Robeson, as Bosamboj with a native choir of foi I \ orded some original songs. Ill- deep, rich voice i- admirably suited to these African songs, and they form one of the high- of "Sanders of tho River." A il. v 11th, 1935. NEXT WEEK'S GRAND PROGRAMME JOHNNY MACK BROWN IN " RUSTLERS OF RED DOG " Red men and Whites waging a bitter struggle for the mastery, while bandit renegades haunt the wagon-trails for plunder. Don't miss the first instalment of this mighty serial drama of the Pioneer days in the Far West. " MEN OF THE NIGHT " As a detective, " Stake-Out " Kelly relied quite a lot upon his fists and his six-gun ; but more than once his fate depended upon the nits of a girl when he set out to capture a gang of jewel thieves. A first-rate thriller, starring Bruce Cabot. " THE WINNING TICKET " He bought a ticket in a sweepstake, and because big wife hated gambling, hid the little slip of paper. That ticket entitled him to a fortune, but the lucky voucher had vanished. An amusing comedy-drama, starring Leo Carrillo and Louise Fazenda. extremely difficult task has been accom- plished by Mr. Arthur Wimperis in composing the lyrics for these they had to be written to the rhythm of the original native music. The Temperament of the Untamed Temperament, much discussed in con- nection with human actors of the s, is as nothing compared to that of wild animals acting before camera and micro- phone. And temperament \\ i11» takes queei IWlStS. . Interesting instances are related by Chester M. Franklin, director of Metro- i'.oldwvn - Mayer's animal sensation, " Sequoia "—pronounced, by the way, " See qtto-yah "—in which absolutely wild and untamed animal? were used. Its central players are a deer and a puma, raised together from infancy and kept human beings so that all were good "We put ihem together when Malibu, the vi fawn, and. before Gato, i he [ i had hi- : en," uklin. "They learned td be naturally. "Every morning i used to pass then; pen and say ' HalloI' to them. The puma, when pleased, has a peculiar whistle. Soon I'd whistle before b me, and he'd answer, jean Parker— the star of the picture—always fed them. w as like a kitten round her. "Sometimes, while we were shooting, we'd move to another location and puma to a tree to wait. He'd get lonely and yell like a dog that's tied up at home while the family goes out. We'll bring him over to where u e. were working, and he'd be i» rfect ly hi That proves that annuals, even wild ■ learn to enjoy human companionship, "He loves to ride in motor-cars and hates to tide in lorries. One nigh was in the tear of a sedan, and didn't want to come out and work. We d and cajoled in \ .Oil. He likTd it in the car, and wouldn't budge. Finally, we all had to haul on the collar attached to his chain." Answers to Questions Here are the addresses you require, John Bradley, Johnny Weieamulier and Maureen O'SuUrvan, e,'o,' Metro-Gold- wyn-Mayer Studios, Culver City, Cali- fornia, U.S.A. I'at O'Brien was born on Sept. 1900, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, D.C. His hobby is boxing. THIS WEEK'S CASTS "SANDERSOFTHERIVER"— Commie- sioni r Sandi re, Leslie Hanks; Bosambo, Paul Robeson; Liionga, Nina Mae McKinney; Lieutenant Tibbete, Robert Cochrane; Ferguson, Martin Walker; Captain Hamiltmi. Richard Grey ; King Utafolaba, Tony Wane; Ftirini, Marquis do Porbogo; Smith, Eric Maturin : father O'/.ini)/. Allan Jeayea; Governor of the Territory, Charles Carson; and Members of the Aeholi, Si.si, Tefik, Jiiiuba, Mtndi and Kroo Tribes of Africa. "SEQUOIA "—Tuiii Martin. Jean Parker; Bob Al>r». Russell Hardie; Matthew Martin, Samuel S. Hind-: Bergman, Paul Hurst; foe, Pen Hall; Sang Soo, Willie Fung. " WHEN A MAN SEES RED '* Benson-, Buck J a: Vary Lav- Campbell; Dick Brady, Li !!>■■ /><" bora, Dorothy - d Baylor; RadcUffe, Prank l..i B is Manila, tabby Taj lor : Padre, Charles K. French ; Himself.