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Black and white silent comedy filmed in the Auckland region circa 1927. The film follows the gravity defying exploits of Hector and his romantic pursuit of the heroine Hyacinth, featuring delightful special effects and amusing puns.
Opening titles:
Rudall Hayward presents HECTOR ST. CLAIR The London Pantomime Comedian with Mona Jeffries in “A TAKAPUNA SCANDAL”.
Script by Hector St. Clair. Directed and Photographed by Rudall Hayward.
While riding a rollercoaster, Hector puts up his umbrella as it starts to rain, he is then lifted up by the umbrella and floats away from the amusement ground and over city streets. He drinks a beer and is visited by a duck before descending over a busy beach with vaudeville entertainers and lands amidst the picnic of the Manners family. Hector renews his affection for Hyacinth Manners while her younger brother pranks Hector with a hook and fishing rod.
After Hyacinth’s departure, Hector pursues a group of women on the beach joining them in dance and frivolity but is chased away by a jealous sailor.
While reading a newspaper, Hector discovers in the social column that the Manners family are throwing a party on their yacht. He buys a sailors uniform and in disguise tries to sneak on to the yacht but is pursued by the sailor from earlier, Hector manages to get the better of him and is reunited with Hyacinth.
FOREWORD INTERTITLE:
‘You have seen “The Birth of a Nation”. You were amazed by “Intolerance”. You were thrilled by “Ben Hur”. THIS FILM has no connection with any of these. -Hector.’
INTERTITLE:
‘By the way, we forgot to mention that the title has nothing to do with the picture, neither is there a plot, which shows how modern we are.
It is not dedicated to any great army of particular people, and apologises for nothing except perhaps that it was …
Made in NEW ZEALAND.’
INTERTITLE:
‘Hector had promised to be a successful lawyer – he can now sue himself for breach of promise.’
INTERTITLE:
“come Birdie come!”
INTERTITLE:
“HELLO Duck! I’ve heard of your namesake who played bowls at Plymouth.”
(The duck’s answer” “Hoe-Hindeed?”)
INTERTITLE:
‘HE was only a “lay-man” and needed no “egging” on.
Try our lay-by system! (A J Yoke)’
INTERTITLES:
“I MUST be over Westfield.”
INTERTITLE:
‘The Manners family dated back to the time when the telephone exchange gave you the right number first time’.
INTERTITLE:
‘MEET our heroine, Hyacinth Manners, a local flapper who has repeatedly refused Hector’s hand. (All Heck has had up to now is father’s boot!
Hyacinth . . . . Miss MONA JEFFRIES’
INTERTITLE:
‘--- but HECTOR’S hopes have risen hya-cint-th. (He Lispths.)’
INTERTITLE:
‘HECK knew that young Master Manner—had none
Master Manners - - JACKIE HARRIS’
INTERTITLE:
‘MA Manners’ ambition was to have an earl for a son-in-law, failing that a successful bookmaker’
INTERTITLE:
‘OLD man Manners was one of those chaps who like to say Taka-“pewn”a.’
INTERTITLE:
‘HYACINTH Manners was the sort of girl who dines with you (bill £6 for 2) theatres with you (box) taxis home with you then says good-night.
(Good Heavens!)’
INTERTITLE:
‘—so young Jackie became greatly attached to Hector’
INTERTITLE:
“DARLING will you marry me, you said ‘no’ yesterday say ‘yes’ ter-day.”
INTERTITLE:
‘HECK’S love was everlasting like a sale at Hart’s (We meant Hearts.)’
INTERTITLE:
‘THE parting of the ways’
INTERTITLE:
‘VIN BLANC, who cultivated a champagne taste on a beer income. (Wine-not?)’
INTERTITLE:
‘YOU can tell a woman but you can’t a telescope’
INTERTITLE:
‘HARDLY a soot-able method of travelling!’
INTERTITLE:
‘SOME time later’
INTERTITLE:
‘AUCKLAND girls can certainly give points to their American cousins. “Figure” it out for yourselves. (An a-leg-ged joke)’
INTERTITLE:
‘MARRIED men close your eyes! (or you’ll catch it when you get home)’
INTERTITLE:
‘---for once in her fickle young life she felt unhappy, and longed to see her funny little boy friend.’
INTERTITLE:
‘THE END’