Samoan Setting

Fro Film

About Gilberts

ftESTERN Samoa has been rf chosen as the scene for the colour-filming by a British jmpany, Lawrie Productions, of a lie based on material in Sir rthur Grimble’s book, A Pattern of Hands , reports an Apia corre jondent.

The director (Mr. Wolf Rilla), as iciate producer (Mr. Eric Williams) id art director (Mr. Tony Inglis) Tived at Apia in August, and the ain party of actors and tech icians was expected in September.

The company has been looking for cal talent to fill the many roles i be played by Islanders.

Although A Pattern of Islands is t in the Gilberts, the isolation of lose islands makes filming there [practicable. Western Samoa has en found to be the most suitable kernative, although at one stage jji was in the running, partly be aise the Banaban settlement at ibe had offered full co-operation.

The key role of the District peer (Grimble) will be taken by Briton, Denholm Elliott, and the incipal Gilbertese part will be lyed by the famous NZ Maori eratic singer, Inia Te Wiata, who came a film star after his per tmance in The Seekers. Other itons in the cast include Maurice inham as the Resident Commis ner, and Susan Stephen as Mrs. imble. fhe last production to be made Samoa was the American Return Paradise, which was received newhat sniffily by Samoan audi os. It might be said, however, it Return to Paradise was at least improvement on the Hollywood vesty called His Majesty O’Keefe, ich left a sour taste in Fiji.

IEANWHILE, across the Pacific, F Chips Rafferty’s New Guinea ■ film Walk Into Paradise, has in completed, and Southern In national, a recently-established 3ney production unit, was re led to be jubilant. tafferty and two French players,

rre Cressoy and Francoise

ns.ophe, have the principal roles, 1 the New Guinea settings med in colour) are described as gmficent.