Wild Boy

The Era reported, 25 October 1933, that ‘On Saturday afternoon [21 October] Albert de Courville and a unit went to the White City Stadium to shoot “Wild Boy” exteriors. A special charity meeting was held, with a full racing programme. Prizes were given for the winner of the races by Gaumont-British, the G.R.A and [the star of the film] Sonnie Hale. The whole meeting was filmed, and a special representation of the Derby Parade was staged for inclusion in the picture, with a  band of H.M. Welsh Guards at the head, and the former winners, including Mick the Miller, filing by in the order of their victory.’ The report continued that ‘Twelve cameras, with their corresponding operators, were set up all round the White City Stadium. Every conceivable angle of the meeting was covered by the cameras, including the enthusiastic crowds, the hurly-burly round the bookmakers’ stands, and the white-gloved tick-tack men. Numerous microphones picked up all the various sounds familiar at a race meeting, including the “ripping” sound made by the bookies as they flip their packs of betting cards.’ The Kinematograph Weekly, 7 December, added that ‘Flannagan and Allen have joined the cast of “Wild Boy.” They appear first of all as auctioneers, and then as bookmakers’ while ‘During the week scenes were shot at Aldridges, and it is the first time that this famous [horse and dog] auctioneering room has been screened.’ The same journal added, 18 January 1934, that ‘On Wednesday of this week the final exteriors of “Wild Boy,” the greyhound picture of the life and achievements of Mick the Miller, will be shot at the White City with a crowd of 300.’