Rudall Hayward
Encyclopedia
Rudall Charles Victor Hayward (1900–1974) was a pioneer New Zealand filmmaker from the 1920s to the 1970s, who directed seven feature films and numerous others. He was born in England, and died in Dunedin while promoting his last film.
He was the son of Rudall and Adelina Heyward, who came to New Zealand in 1905. With Henry John Hayward (1866–1945) Rudall senior’s brother, his parents were involved with entertainment and silent cinema in New Zealand, in West’s Pictures and The Brescians.
Rudall (junior) was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School
and the Waihi School of Mines. He worked in Australia c1920 under Raymond Longford
(who in 1915-16 was filming in New Zealand), on some of Longford's films: "The Sentimental Bloke
", "On Our Selection", and "Rudd’s New Selection". He made his first two-reel comedy The Man from Freeman’s Bay in 1920 (which his uncle Henry offered him £50 to burn!). His first feature was My Lady of the Cave (1922), then Rewi’s Last Stand (1925), The Te Kooti Trail
(1927), and The Bush Cinderella (1928).
In 1928-30 he made 23 two-reel comedies with local settings and actors at various towns, and titles like: Tilly of Te Aroha, Hamilton’s hectic husbands, A Daughter of Dunedin, Winifred of Wanganui, Natalie of Napier, and Patsy of Palmerston,
His first sound film was On the Friendly Road (1936) with Colin Scrimgeour
, and he remade Rewi’s Last Stand with sound (1939).
After World War II he worked in England, then made his most successful film “The Amazing Dolphin of Opononi” about Opo the dolphin
. He made educational films in New Zealand and overseas, then his final film To Love a Maori (1972), which was shot on 16 mm.
He was the son of Rudall and Adelina Heyward, who came to New Zealand in 1905. With Henry John Hayward (1866–1945) Rudall senior’s brother, his parents were involved with entertainment and silent cinema in New Zealand, in West’s Pictures and The Brescians.
Rudall (junior) was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School
Wanganui Collegiate School
Wanganui Collegiate School is an independent, coeducational, day and boarding secondary school in Wanganui, New Zealand. The school is affiliated to the Anglican church.-About:...
and the Waihi School of Mines. He worked in Australia c1920 under Raymond Longford
Raymond Longford
Raymond Longford was a prolific Australian film director, writer, producer and actor during the silent era. Longford was a major director of the silent film era of the Australian cinema. He formed a production team with Lottie Lyell...
(who in 1915-16 was filming in New Zealand), on some of Longford's films: "The Sentimental Bloke
The Sentimental Bloke
The Sentimental Bloke is an Australian silent film based on the 1915 poem The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke by C.J. Dennis.The film, from the Southern Cross Feature Film Company of Adelaide, was made by Raymond Longford and Lottie Lyell, at that time the best known partnership in Australian cinema...
", "On Our Selection", and "Rudd’s New Selection". He made his first two-reel comedy The Man from Freeman’s Bay in 1920 (which his uncle Henry offered him £50 to burn!). His first feature was My Lady of the Cave (1922), then Rewi’s Last Stand (1925), The Te Kooti Trail
The Te Kooti Trail
The Te Kooti Trail is a 1927 New Zealand film. It premiered at the Strand Theatre, Auckland on 17 November 1927 and was billed as New Zealand’s “greatest production”....
(1927), and The Bush Cinderella (1928).
In 1928-30 he made 23 two-reel comedies with local settings and actors at various towns, and titles like: Tilly of Te Aroha, Hamilton’s hectic husbands, A Daughter of Dunedin, Winifred of Wanganui, Natalie of Napier, and Patsy of Palmerston,
His first sound film was On the Friendly Road (1936) with Colin Scrimgeour
Colin Scrimgeour
Rev. Colin Graham Scrimgeour, known as Uncle Scrim or Scrim was a New Zealand Methodist Minister and Broadcaster....
, and he remade Rewi’s Last Stand with sound (1939).
After World War II he worked in England, then made his most successful film “The Amazing Dolphin of Opononi” about Opo the dolphin
Opo the Dolphin
Opo was a bottlenose dolphin who became famous throughout New Zealand during the summer of 1955-56 for playing with the children of the small town of Opononi on the Hokianga harbour....
. He made educational films in New Zealand and overseas, then his final film To Love a Maori (1972), which was shot on 16 mm.