Talkies Come To Savu
p. 10 · Read in the full issue
Savu
What 16 mm. Film Does For Isolated Native Villages
Prom a Special Correspondent
Savu Savu, Fiji.
SA dua na yaloyalo uasivi e a vakar aitaki ena bogi ena noa, ko ya na Kaupoi. A sabu sabu, sa matai dina sara la ko Roy Rogers kei na nona ose vulavula, ko Trigger.” (An excellent Cow boy picture was shown last night. My word, Roy Rogers is a real expert, and so is his white horse, Trigger.) Thus remarked one of our Fijian picture fans: and, judging by the loud applause of the large native audience which at tended “Parr’s Pictures" for the first real Cowboy film shown at that theatre, on March 4, 1949, this was the general opinion.
“Parr’s Pictures” started operations in November, 1948, and they have given residents of this district of Vanua Levu
island, Fiji, an opportunity of weekly entertainment which is much appreciated.
As the native population is greatly in the majority in Savusavu, however, it is necessary to cater more for them than for Europeans, in order to increase financial returns. The class of films hitherto dis played have been too good, and beyond the intelligence of the natives who, for the most part, do not understand sufficient English to follow the “talkies." They dearly love a film crowded with action, fighting, and chasing. Mr. C. G. O. Parr hqs arranged with the Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Company (with whom he has a contract for the supply of 16 m.m. films) to send him regular Cowboy pictures in future. This Company also hires films to Mr. Val Tarte, of Taveuni, and to the managers of Rabi Island who are in the same “Circuit."
Mr. Parr deserves success and encour agement for his enterprise, which was es tablished mainly for the benefit of the “Peter Murray Practical School," of which Mr. Parr is the Principal. Mr. Parr also has a coconut plantation and a photo graphic studio, and he runs a co-opera tive store, which is shared in by the boys of the school. He has an able assistant in Mrs. Parr.
The “theatre" which was erected almost entirely by the schoolboys them selves has a thatched roof, with open sides, and is very cool and comfortable.
There is seating capacity for about 270 on the substantially-made bamboo seats. The screen is of Masonite; there is no flicker or billowing, and the sound effect is ex cellent. Cool drinks, sweets, tea and cakes, and kava are among the refresh ments obtainable on picture nights.
The Theatre