Film-Makers Still Look

To Fiji

BACKGROUND shots for a Holly wood film tentatively called “Pearl of the South Seas,” are being made in Fiji by Mr. Lee Zavitz, an RKO “special effects” man and photographer. Mr. Zavitz, who first visited Fiji with the "His Majesty O’Keefe” unit in 1952, said at Suva that because of over-ex ploitation, Hawaii was now little used by film-makers.

Fijian extras, who provided much of the interest of the “O’Keefe” film, have been engaged for some of the scenes and Mr. J. B. Turner’s vessel Scot has been converted into an old-time trading schooner. The scenes were shot on a small island about 12 miles from Lautoka.

The film will have Virginia Mayo and Dennis Morgan in the principal roles. In Fiji, doubles are being used for the stars in distance shots.

During March, a Universal group was looking over Fiji as a possible site for a Pacific war film.

Mr. Thomas Strabert, the man who filmed the famous “Conquest of Everest,” is planning a short visit to Fiji to cover agricultural pro jects.

A new TEAL 20-minute colour film of Fiji, made by Robert Steele Productions and entitled “Red Hibiscus,” deals mainly with Viti Levu’s tourist trails. Picturesque aspects of the island scene are well presented, and the film has been highly praised in NZ.

If M. Jean Brock, Customs agent at Noumea and Qantas agent for New Caledonia, is optimistic about tourist trade possibilities He plans to give organised tourist parties enough time at Noumea to become familiar with French life and customs and then to take them across the island to the picturesque east coast, where Houailou will be headquarters for further excursions.

As in many other countries, the standard of hotel service is a major question. M. Brock, who comes of British stock and is married to a Melbourne girl, will himself accom pany the parties.