“Quorn Mercury”, Sept 14, 1950

Furniture Sought for Film Homestead

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SATISFACTORY PROGRESS WITH BUILDING

Mr Mark-Lee Kirk, art director of 20^th Century Fox Company, who had been in Port Augusta for some days making preliminary arrangements in connection with the production of the color film in the nearby Flinders Ranges, said on Tuesday that work on the 19^th century homestead at the main filming site was progressing satisfactorily.

However, difficulty was being experienced in obtaining suitable furniture and furnishings. He pointed out that the story made it necessary for the building, the home of the leading landowner of the district, to be well furnished, especially two bedrooms, kitchen, living room and halls.

His company was pleased to hear from people prepared to sell or hire furniture, oil lamps, a grandfather clock, cooking utensils and a wood burning stove of that period.

Mr Mark-Lee Kirk praised the cooperation being received from the South Australian people and said that he was able to obtain two wooden windmill wheels previously sought at Glenelg. He left Port Augusta on Wednesday for Sydney, and would like persons willing to assist with furniture, etc., to contact Mr Westonhiser, at Hotel Flinders.

The Chronicle, 9 July 1964

ZANUCKVILLE HOUSES GONE

A reference to the 24 houses erected to house the film unit making the film Kangaroo in 1950s. The accomodation, on the outskirts of Port Augusta, was named Zanuckville after the 2oth Century Fox producer Daniel Zanuck.

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“Quorn Mercury”  Sept. 7, 1950

MAKING A FILM

(BY MICHAEL DAVENPORT)

South Australians and particularly the northern people are gratified at the decision to make a Technicolor film of the cattle industry, with a location in the lower Flinders Ranges. (more…)

“Quorn Mercury” Thursday August 3, 1950

QUORN MAY BE SCENE OF ANOTHER FILM
PROPOSED SITES INSPECTED BY U.S. VISITOR

Mr S. Hall, a representative of 20^th Century-Fox Films, visited Quorn at the weekend to investigate sites for a color film with a cattle industry background.

Accompanied by officers of the Government Tourist Bureau, Mr Hall called on Mr L. Pope, a local businessman with an introduction from Chips Rafferty, who played on of the main parts in “Bitter Springs”.

The requirements are a 19^th century homestead with in plain country with a background of hills.

The Quorn manager of Goldsbrough Mort & Co. Ltd (Mr N. Fuss) recommended several sites.

It is understood that Mr Hall’s visit is directly due to the favourable reception overseas of “Bitter Springs”, which was made in the Quorn country.

“Quorn Mercury” October ?, 1950

It would appear that Quorn and Port Augusta locals either did not have suitable furniture and furnishings for the 20^th Century Fox film “Kangaroo” or were not prepared to hire or sell it, if they did.

PROPERTY FOR COLOR FILM ARRIVES

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GRANDFATHER CLOCK ABOUT 175 YEARS OLD

A pantechnicon with a full load of 30 cubic tons arrived in Port Augusta last week with furniture which will be seen in the Technicolor film, “Kangaroo”. The consignment will be the basis of the furniture for the film homestead set near Port Augusta.

It included a grandfather clock nearly 174 years old and wardrobes and dressing tables for the star, Maureen O’Hara.

Three Victorian period lounge suites and four chests, including a bow-fronted mahogany one 145 years old, bookcases, sideboards, hall tables, assorted chairs, seven mirrors and a dozen cases of miscellaneous bric-a-brac made up the load which came from Period and Art Furnishers, Waymouth Street [Adelaide].