- Mr. Chedworth Steps Out
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Mr. Chedworth Steps Out Directed by Ken G. Hall Produced by Ken G. Hall Written by Frank Harvey Based on novel by Francis Morton Howard Starring Cecil Kellaway
Rita Pauncefort
Peter FinchMusic by Hamilton Webber Cinematography George Heath Studio Cinesound Productions Distributed by British Empire Films Release date(s) 1939 Running time 92 minutes Country Australia Language English Budget ₤21,000[1] Mr. Chedworth Steps Out is a 1939 Australian film directed by Ken G. Hall. The film is a comedy about a mild-mannered clerk (Cecil Kellaway) who is dominated by his wife and gets fired from his job after years of service. Finding employment as a night watchman, he stumbles upon some money hidden by gangsters.
Contents
Production
Cecil Kellaway had been working in Hollywood following the success of It Isn't Done (1937) but agreed to come back to Australia especially to make the film at the request of Ken G. Hall. "He was getting much more money than we had offered him but he felt that he owed us something," said Hall.[2][3]
The part of Cecil Kellaway's youngest daughter was played by Jean Hatton, a young singer who was brought to the attention of Ken G. Hall after she won a Deanna Durbin talent quest. She was signed by Cinesound Productions to a long-term contract, later appearing in Come Up Smiling.[4]
There is a line in the film where Cecil Kellaway scolds his son (Peter Finch) for betting on horses. During filming this caused the crew to burst out laughing because Kellaway was known as a keen gambler. "He had his mind on the racetrack all the time," said Hall. IAs soon as I'd say 'Cut!' he'd be off like a rabbit up a bank and out the back to the radio to hear what had won the last. He was a mad punter."[5]
The costumes were designed by Thelma Afford, wife of top Australian writer Max Afford.[6]
Joan Deering, who plays the ingenue, had never acted on screen before but had a strong theatrical background, having toured with revue companies in England and South Africa. She was English and moved to Australia in 1935 after touring with Frank Neil's pantomine company. Ken G. Hall had met her socially and suggested she screen test.[7] Peter Finch was cast after the impression he made in Dad and Dave Come to Town (1938).[8]
Cast
- Cecil Kellaway as George Chedworth
- Rita Pauncefort as Julia Chedworth
- Jean Hatton as Susie Chedworth
- Sidney Wheeler as Leon Fencoff
- Cecil Perry as MacGuire
- Peter Finch as Arthur Jacobs
- James Raglan as Brian Carford
- Joan Deering as Gwen Chedworth
- Harvey Adams as Mason
References
- ^ Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, 185.
- ^ Philip Taylor, 'Ken G. Hall', Cinema Papers January 1973 p 85
- ^ 'SOME NEW ATTRACTIONS', Examiner (Launceston), Saturday 17 September 1938 p 1
- ^ 'Contract For Jean Hatton', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), Thursday 15 June 1939 p 12
- ^ Philip Taylor, 'Ken G. Hall', Cinema Papers January 1974 p 85
- ^ 'Designing Frocks for Australian Films', The Advertiser (Adelaide), Thursday 10 November 1938 p10
- ^ 'Cinesound Presents Two New Girls', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), Thursday 15 December 1938 p 10
- ^ 'PETER FINCH IS SET FOR A FILM CAREER', The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 22 December 1938 p 23
- Murray, Scott; (ed.) (1994). Australian Cinema. St.Leonards, NSW.: Allen & Unwin/AFC. p. 273. ISBN 1-86373-311-6.
External links
- Mr. Chedworth Steps Out at the Internet Movie Database
- Mr Chedworth Steps Out at Australian Screen Online
Categories:- Australian films
- English-language films
- 1939 films
- 1930s comedy films
- Black-and-white films
- Australian film stubs
- 1930s comedy film stubs
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