The Hayseeds
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Raymond Longford (associate)[1]
| The Hayseeds | |
|---|---|
 Contemporary advertisement for film | |
| Directed by | Beaumont Smith Raymond Longford (associate)[1] |
| Written by | Beaumont Smith |
| Produced by | Beaumont Smith |
| Starring | Cecil Kellaway |
| Cinematography | Tasman Higgins |
| Edited by | Frank Coffey |
| Music by | Alf Lawrence Fred Chapple |
Production company | J.C. Williamson Picture Productions |
| Distributed by | British Empire Films[2] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 mins |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £4,500[4][5][6] or £6,000[7] |
| Box office | £20,000[7][8] or £16,000[6][5] |
The Hayseeds is a 1933 Australian musical comedy from Beaumont Smith. It centres on the rural family, the Hayseeds, about whom Smith had previously made six silent films, starting with Our Friends, the Hayseeds (1917). He retired from directing in 1925 but decided to revive the series in the wake of the box office success of On Our Selection (1932).[9] It was the first starring role in a movie for stage actor Cecil Kellaway.[10]
It was also known as The Hayseeds Come to Town.[11]
Wealthy Mary Townleigh gets lost in the bush and hurts her ankle, but is rescued and stays with the Hayseed family. She starts a romance with their neighbour, Englishman John Manners. When Joe Hayseed and his girlfriend Pansy Regan decide to get married, the Hayseeds and John visit Sydney to stay with the Townleighs. John is accused of being a fugitive of justice but is eventually proved innocent and he and Mary get married.[12]
Cast
- Cecil Kellaway as Dad Hayseed
- Kenneth Brampton as Mr. Townleigh
- Arthur Clarke as John Manners
- Shirley Dale as Mary Townleigh
- Bryan Kellaway as Billy
- John Moore as Henry Westcott
- Tal Ordell as Joe Hayseed
- Vincent Pantin as Lord Mornington
- Molly Raynor as Pansy Ragen
- Phyllis Steadman as Polly
- Stan Tolhurst as Sam
- Katie Towers as Mum Hayseed
- the J.C. Williamson Chorus (singing hikers)
- the Richard White Girls
- Jimmy Coates and his Orchestra
Production
The movie was part financed by the theatrical firm JC Williamsons, who loaned many of their regular actors and crew to the film. Frank Tait, managing director of Williamsons, said "We have had films in mind for some time. The Hayseeds will give us some definite experience to work on. With so many players available to us and plays of which we hold the rights, we regard film-making as a definite adjunct to our business."[13]
Filming commenced in July 1933.[14] That month Kellaway said "I was handed the script this morning for 'Hayseeds.' It all seems very confusing to me; it is so disjointed. Evidently, the producer has a lot to do."[15]
Some of the scenes were shot at Cinesound's studios in Rushcutter's Bay in August and September 1933, with location work near Pymble.[16] Many of the cast, including Kellaway, John Moore and Shirley Dale, were appearing in the play Music in the Air during filming.[17]
The movie included several songs and dance sequences. The latter were produced by Richard White, who ran a dance academy in Sydney.[18]
Cecil Kellaway's son, Brian, made his film debut alongside his father.[19]
Director
In July 1933, Beaumont Smith announced that Raymond Longford would direct the picture,[20] and some newspapers of the era also gave the credit to Longford.[21] However, in the end Smith directed it himself. Longford was credited as an Associate Director.
Songs
- "Let's Call It a Day" - lyrics Edmund Barclay[22]
- "Night in the Bush" - lyrics Edmund Barclay music Frank Chapple - sung by Shirley Dale
- "The Song of the Hikers"
- "By the Camp Fire"
- "The Hikers Ballet" by Richard White[23]