| 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 Finch |
| Music by | Hamilton Webber |
| Cinematography | George Heath |
| Studio | Cinesound Productions |
| Distributed by | British Empire Films |
| Release date(s) | April 1939 (Australia) |
| 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.
Contents |
A mild-mannered clerk (Cecil Kellaway) who has a snobbish, nagging wife (Rita Paucefort) and gambling addict son (Peter Finch) gets fired from his job after years of service. Given compensatory employment as a night watchman, he stumbles upon some money hidden by gangsters and uses it to elevate his social status. Problems arise when the gangsters come after the money.
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]
Shooting took place in October and November 1938.[9]