{{Short description|1933 film}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox film | name = The Hayseeds | image = The_Hayseeds.jpg
| caption = Contemporary advertisement for film | director = Beaumont Smith<br>Raymond Longford (associate)<ref name="papers">"Raymond Longford", ''Cinema Papers'', January 1974 p51</ref> | writer = Beaumont Smith | based_on = | producer = Beaumont Smith | starring = Cecil Kellaway | narrator = | cinematography = Tasman Higgins | editing = Frank Coffey | music = Alf Lawrence<br>Fred Chapple | studio = J.C. Williamson Picture Productions | distributor = British Empire Films<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article83032465 |title=BEAUMONT SMITH BEGINS WORK ON TALKING PICTURE. |newspaper=Il Giornale Italiano |location=Sydney |date=6 September 1933 |accessdate=31 May 2012 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> | released = {{Film date|1933|12|08|df=yes|ref1=<ref>Ross Cooper,"Filmography: Beaumont Smith", ''Cinema Papers'', March–April 1976 p333</ref>}} | runtime = 98 mins | country = Australia | language = English | budget = £4,500<ref name="pike">Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, ''Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production'', Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, 164.</ref><ref name="everyone"/><ref name="news">{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128482273 |title=Film Industry In Australia. |newspaper=The News |location=Adelaide |date=11 June 1935 |accessdate=17 March 2015 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> or £6,000<ref name="gross">{{Citation | title=Doyle's Quota Views: What Cinesound Films Grossed. | journal=Everyones. | volume=14| issue=728 (7 February 1934) | location=Sydney | publisher=Everyones Ltd | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-579030605 | id=nla.obj-579030605 | access-date=23 March 2024 | via=Trove }}</ref> | gross = £20,000<ref name="gross"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17166044 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=16 April 1935 |accessdate=25 July 2012 |page=10 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> or £16,000<ref name="news"/><ref name="everyone"/> }} '''''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).<ref name="vagg">{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|magazine=Filmink|title=Australian Film Musicals You Probably Didn't Realise Existed|date=23 December 2019|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/australian-film-musicals-probably-didnt-realise-existed}}</ref> It was the first starring role in a movie for stage actor Cecil Kellaway.<ref name="hay">{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/forgotten-australian-films-the-hayseeds/|title=Forgotten Australian Films: The Hayseeds|date=3 September 2025|access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref>
It was also known as '''The Hayseeds Come to Town'''.<ref name="done">{{cite magazine|date=15 July 2025|access-date=15 July 2025|magazine=Filmink|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/forgotten-australian-films-it-isnt-done/|title=Forgotten Australian Films: It Isn’t Done}}</ref> ==Plot== 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32937536 |title=PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE. |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth |date=23 June 1934 |accessdate=31 May 2012 |page=13 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
==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."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205120522 |title=THEATRE and SCREEN |newspaper=The Age |issue=24,480 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=27 September 1933 |accessdate=23 August 2024 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Filming commenced in July 1933.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231429387 |title="THE HAYSEEDS" |newspaper=The Sun |issue=7349 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=20 July 1933 |accessdate=23 August 2024 |page=19 (FINAL EXTRA) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51387341 |title=British and AUSTRALIAN |newspaper=The Australian Women's Weekly |volume=1 |issue=8 |location=Australia, Australia |date=29 July 1933 |accessdate=23 August 2024 |page=33 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Some of the scenes were shot at Cinesound's studios in Rushcutter's Bay in August and September 1933, with location work near Pymble.<ref>{{Citation | title=The Showman's Corner.. Corner.. | journal=Everyones. | volume=13| issue=702 (9 August 1933) | location=Sydney | publisher=Everyones Ltd | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-576179613 | id=nla.obj-576179613 | access-date=23 March 2024 | via=Trove }}</ref> Many of the cast, including Kellaway, John Moore and Shirley Dale, were appearing in the play ''Music in the Air'' during filming.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17004727 |title="THE HAYSEEDS." |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=6 September 1933 |accessdate=29 January 2012 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
The movie included several songs and dance sequences. The latter were produced by Richard White, who ran a dance academy in Sydney.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16993150 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=22 July 1933 |accessdate=29 January 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Cecil Kellaway's son, Brian, made his film debut alongside his father.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article41545986 |title=Edmonton Regent Theatre. |newspaper=The Cairns Post |location=Qld. |date=27 February 1935 |accessdate=31 May 2012 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===Director=== In July 1933, Beaumont Smith announced that Raymond Longford would direct the picture,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16993341 |title=AUSTRALIAN FILM. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=22 July 1933 |accessdate=28 January 2012 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and some newspapers of the era also gave the credit to Longford.<ref>{{Citation | title=Longford Directs 'Hayseeds' for Beaumont Smith. | journal=Everyones. | volume=13| issue=699 (19 July 1933) | location=Sydney | publisher=Everyones Ltd | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-576161672 | id=nla.obj-576161672 | access-date=23 March 2024 | via=Trove }}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230199135 |title=HONOR in HIS OWN COUNTRY |newspaper=The Sun |issue=1602 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=10 December 1933 |accessdate=31 August 2023 |page=48 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> *"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<ref>{{Citation | title=Plenty of Music in "The Hayseeds" | journal=Everyones. | orig-date=1920 | volume=13 | issue=707 | date=13 September 1933 | location=Sydney | publisher=Everyones Ltd | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-576110005 | id=nla.obj-576110005 | access-date=31 August 2023 | via=Trove }}</ref>
==Reception== The film opened in Sydney in December 1933.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230194679 |title="HAYSEEDS" |newspaper=The Sun |issue=7471 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=9 December 1933 |accessdate=23 August 2024 |page=8 (CRICKET STUMPS) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===Critical=== Reviews for the film were mixed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53243911 |title=PRIVATE VIEWS. |newspaper=The Australian Women's Weekly | date=16 December 1933 |accessdate=31 May 2012 |page=26 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
''The Sun'' was enthusiastic, describing it as "a fresh note in Australian picture — a blend of musical comedy, country life, farce, and romance."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230199230 |title=SHOWS SYDNEY IS SEEING! |newspaper=The Sun |issue=1602 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=10 December 1933 |accessdate=23 August 2024 |page=55 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
''Everyone's'' reported that "from the sole viewpoint of entertainment value, the picture measures up to around average merit, but it is disappointing to see such experienced players as John Moore and Shirley Dale put forward the uninspired and stilted performances they do... Acting honors are easily won by the two players interpreting the burlesque caricature characterisations, Molly Rayner and Tal Ordell."<ref>{{Citation | title=Reviews of Recent Releases | journal=Everyones. | volume=13| issue=720 (13 December 1933) | location=Sydney | publisher=Everyones Ltd | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-576888985 | id=nla.obj-576888985 | access-date=23 March 2024 | via=Trove }}</ref>
However, a number of reviews suggested that the representations of Australians were a weakness. The ''Sydney Morning Herald'' complained that "the antiquated sentiment and the absurdly stilted dialogue of the original come staring all too plainly through... There are humorous passages on the screen; but, somehow or other, the farce has become toned down... Unfortunately, the production as a whole does not suggest Australian characters, or the basic qualities of Australian life."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17031487 |title=FILM REVIEWS |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=29,934 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=11 December 1933 |accessdate=23 August 2024 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
''The Bulletin'' also took issue with the representation of country Australians. "No doubt such characters are meant for caricatures, but even a caricature should have some re-semblance to truth. It is time such films as "The Hayseeds" and "On Our Selection" were dropped, even though the producers and exhibitors may be able to claim, like the old-time vaudeville singer, that "it's getting them the money." These libels on our up-country folk may not do much damage here, but they are likely to create a disastrous impression of Australians in Britain and the U.S.A."<ref>{{Citation | title=SHADOW SHOWS. | journal=The Bulletin | date=13 Dec 1933 | location=Sydney, N.S.W | publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-611746948 | id=nla.obj-611746948 | access-date=24 August 2024 | via=Trove }}</ref>
Years later Stephen Vagg of ''Filmink'' who, while arguing Kellaway was "miscast", called the movie: <blockquote>Kind of fun and endearingly odd. All the talk about drought and banks and being broke, while manufactured, have a basis of truth and would’ve meant a lot to depression era audiences; there are genuinely funny moments such as Kellaway and Ordell dressing up as Ned Kelly to help a friend; the songs are charmingly weird; the romantic scenes are entertainingly campy; the Busby Berkley-style number at the end is quite good; the sets and locations are pretty; there’s a fun bit where the Hayseeds visit Sydney; and the whole movie reeks of a genuine love of Australia which is engaging.<ref name="hay"/></blockquote>
===Box office=== The film proved popular with audiences on release in Australia and New Zealand.<ref>{{Citation | title=THINGS LOOK BRIGHTER IN NEW ZEALAND | journal=Everyones. | volume=13| issue=723 (3 January 1934) | location=Sydney | publisher=Everyones Ltd | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-578998135 | id=nla.obj-578998135 | access-date=23 March 2024 | via=Trove }}</ref> By the end of 1934 it was estimated to have earned £16,000 in Australia and an overall profit of £5,900.<ref name="everyone">{{Citation | title=Counting the CASH in Australian Films. "Selection Nets Rert Bailey £14,000 What Others Cost and Lost—Stars' Salaries and Story Prices. | journal=Everyones. | date=12 December 1934 | location=Sydney | publisher=Everyones Ltd | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-577835346 | id=nla.obj-577835346 | access-date=24 August 2024 | via=Trove |pages= 19–20}}</ref><ref name="news"/> A 1938 article said the film had earned more than £30,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131556439 |title=FILM INDUSTRY'S PROGRESS |newspaper=News |volume=XXX |issue=4,560 |location=South Australia |date=5 March 1938 |accessdate=27 August 2024 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The film was occasionally still screening in cinemas in 1950.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42674298 |title=Palace Theatre. |newspaper=The Cairns Post |location=Qld. |date=11 July 1950 |accessdate=31 May 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In late 1933 Frank Tait expressed interest in Williamsons making more movies.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243192940 |title=REBUILDING HIS MAJESTY'S |newspaper=The Herald |issue=17,607 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=19 October 1933 |accessdate=23 August 2024 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> However this did not happen.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb title|tt0024093}} *[https://aso.gov.au/titles/features/hayseeds/ ''The Hayseeds''] at Australian Screen Online *[http://colsearch.nfsa.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv=;group=;groupequals=;holdingType=;page=0;parentid=;query=the%20hayseeds%201933;querytype=;rec=7;resCount=10 ''The Hayseeds''] at National Film and Sound Archive *[https://www.ozmovies.com.au/movie/hayseeds ''The Hayseeds''] at Oz Movies
{{Raymond Longford}} {{Beaumont Smith}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hayseeds, The}} Category:1933 films Category:Films directed by Beaumont Smith Category:Films directed by Raymond Longford Category:Australian black-and-white films Category:Australian musical drama films Category:1930s musical drama films Category:1933 drama films Category:1933 English-language films Category:1933 Australian films Category:English-language musical drama films