Blue Lagoon Party On

Way To Fiji

rE 60-foot motor yacht, “Viking Ahoy,” chartered for use for the Rank film, “Blue Lagoon,” to be filmed in Fiji, has left Brisbane for Suva.

It carries a crew of seven, including Alan Fish, of Auckland, NZ, who has been given a part in the picture. Bearded H, M. Frewen, owner, is travelling with her.

The producer, Mr. Frank Launder, the young English star, Miss Jean Simmons, the location manager, Mr. Leslie Gilliat, and others will fly from Sydney to Fiji in December, and the yacht will transport them from Lautoka to the Yasawas, the scene of their activities.

They will spend only eight weeks in Fiji. The 75 per cent tax imposed on American film earnings in Britain, to conserve dollar spending, also applies to other films made outside the British Isles, even when made in Empire countries, in order to rank as a home production, therefore, 75 per cent of the expenditure on “The Blue Lagoon” has to be spent in the British Isles.

Leslie Gilliat says he chose the Yasawas not alone for their beautiful beaches.

They wanted an island or a group that was not flat, and handy to Nadi airport.