“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…)

“The Mercury” (Quorn) Thursday Sept. 7, 1950

Star Keen on Trip to Australia

WILL HOLIDAY FOR A MONTH AFTER COMPLETING FILM

Film actor Peter Lawford said in New York on Monday that he was looking to ‘one of the best times of his life’ on his forthcoming trip to Australia to star with Maureen O’Hara in the 20^th Century Fox Production, “Kangaroo” to be made in the foothills of the Flinders Ranges, about 12 miles from Port Augusta.

The 26-years old British born actor said that one reason why he was relishing the visit was that he had lived in Sydney for almost a year when a boy, and had kept in touch with many of the friends he had made at that time.

Lawford, according to present plans will leave for Australia about October 1 by air. He has planned a holiday in Australia for a month after completion of the film and will return to Hollywood by way of India and Europe.

Film critics think that “Kangaroo” may mark the turning point in Lawford’s career. He has had nearly a dozen good roles, but none offered the acting opportunities of this one.

“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.

The Commercial Traveller – relic of a bygone era, obviously very important back in the 1950s – more important than a film star!

“Quorn Mercury” August 3, 1950

TRAVELLER TRINDER

____

A city traveller called at a hotel in the Quorn district where the movie, “Bitter Springs” was made, asked if Tommy Trinder – star of the film – had called in there at all.

“Tommy Trinder” said the man running the hotel. “I don’t think so. Who does he travel for?”

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.

(more…)