“Quorn Mercury” Thursday December 8, 1950

FILM STARS ARRIVE IN PORT AUGUSTA

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NIGHT PLANE AND CAR TRIP FROM ADELAIDE

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MINOR BANQUET PUT ON BY COOKHOUSE STAFF

At midnight on Friday two cars and a bus turned off at a dusty track a little more than a mile from Port Augusta and drove to an almost deserted settlement, known locally as Hollywood Park, a hundred yards or so further on- the journey’s end for leaders of the 20^th Century Fox Film Unit.

There were no bobby soxers there and stars Maureen O’Hara and Peter Lawford climbed out of a car without having to worry about the whims of fans. After Sydney and Adelaide they found this a welcome change.

Sixteen members of the unit left Adelaide by chartered plane after dinner for Port Pirie and from there they travelled by road to Port Augusta. Soon after the take-off most of them left their seats and walked up and down the aisle chatting to each other. They turned an hour’s plane ride into a happy party. Miss O’Hara spent most of the time reading the SA book, “Paving the Way”. She said she liked it very much.

Stars and executives were impressed with the minor banquet put on by the cookhouse staff in the huge community dining hall for supper to mark their arrival on Friday night.

LAZY WEEKEND

Members of the unit had a real taste of Port Augusta heat on Saturday and Sunday when the temperature hovered around the century mark, and took the opportunity to spend a lazy weekend after the heavy round of receptions in Adelaide.

Peter Lawford, Richard Boone and Director Lewis Milestone went shopping on Saturday morning and created a stir buying sun glasses and magazines. Lawford spent part of the morning practising cracking the stockwhip which he will have to use expertly in the film. ON Saturday afternoon Lawford and Boone went for a swim and on Sunday enjoyed a cruise on the Gulf in the big launch, Sinbad.

All eyes were on auburn haired Maureen O’Hara when she visited the shops on Monday morning. Miss O’Hara did appear to mind the heat. She wore a simple frock with a low neckline and full skirtand was without a hat or stockings. Veteran English actor Finlay Currie, who recently arrived in Australia by air from Rome, and Director Lewis Milestone were with Miss O’Hara. The former did not appear to relish the conditions. His panama hat held in place a handkerchief to keep the sun off the back of his neck.

ACCOMMODATION PLEASES

The stars and executives were pleased with the accommodation at Hollywood Park, which comprises 24 comfortable prefabricated homes. Each is equipped with three bedrooms, a bathroom containing three showers, a laundry, septic tank and the latest kerosene burners for heating water.

All meals, including those for the stars and executives, will be cooked in a huge community kitchen. Fruit juices will be served with every meal and there will be a choice of dishes. The party will go on location every day, a distance of about 12 miles, in a fleet of buses. They will have their midday meal at the filming site.

It has been freely rumored in Port Augusta that when 20^th Century Fox moves out from the site at Catninga, Ealing Studios will move in and begin shooting “Robbery Under Arms”. The manager for Ealing Studios has visited the site, and the buildings were erected under the supervision of technicians on loan from Ealing to 20^th Century Fox.

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