True Stories

Press Stories From Whisky Galore

From Ealing Studios Press Dept.

The Excise are Coming!

The girls at the switchboard of the telephone exchange in Castlebay, Isle of Barra, almost dropped her head phones in consternation when she heard a voice shout out 'Look out- the whisky's in danger- the excise launch is coming into the bay.'

The voice belonged to seventy seven year old James Anderson who was playing in Ealing Studios 'Whisky Galore'. James played the part of a bed ridden old crofter who knowing that there were large quantities of whisky on the island which had been salvaged from a wrecked cargo boat, was the first person to see the Excise launch coming into the bay from the window of his croft. Sandy Mackendrick, directed this scene, chose a location complete with a real live telephone kiosk, lifted the receiver to give his warning. But no one had told the telephone girl it was only make believe.

Dummy Whisky for Scotland

Ironical commentary on present day austerity conditions - Ealing Studios had to send six dozen bottles of whisky to Scotland for the film version of Whisky Galore, which was made entirely on the Isle of Barra. Added irony: The bottles were all made of wax!

The Best Week of Her Life

Playing a small part opposite the noted Scottish Actor Duncan Macree in Ealing Studios Whisky Galore was an eighty two year old native of Barra, Mrs Mary Macneil. It was on this small island in the Outer Hebrides that most of the film was made - both outside and inside the village hall which was converted into a studio. Director Sandy Mackendrick first noticed the old lady when taking shots of a ceilidh or a party, which included singing, dancing, piping and drinking. Mary seemed to be a promising natural actress, so Sandy promoted her from the rank of extra to playing in a scene of her own and how beautifully she did it- handicapped to a certain extent by the fact that she couldn't speak English, so the directions were translated for her by her daughter.

After the forth take the old woman sank into a chair marked 'Director.'

"Well, Mary, I hope your not exhausted" said 1st assistant Harry Kratz solicitously. This was duly translated. Mary let out a delighted cackle and a string of unintelligible Gaelic.

"What did she say?" asked Harry.

The interpretator told him, "She said it's the best week she's had since her honeymoon!"

A Floor Shampoo for a Star

Anyone who believes that a film stars life is glamorous can be disillusioned by Joan Greenwood. Even on location a star has to have her hair shampooed regularly. Making Whisky Galore - which was produced entirely on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides - was no exception for Joan. But there was no luxury salon for her. She had to have her hair washed by going down on her hands and knees on a hard schoolroom floor, with her head bent over an enamel basin!

Reunion

Back from the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides after three months in Ealings Whisky Galore! Actor Henry Mollison told of an unexpected reunion with five old friends. Henry was a prisoner of war for five years in the M.N. Milag Nord camp, where he organised theatricals and football matches for the boys. Arriving in the tiny, remote island of Barra, no one could have been more surprised than Henry to find that five of his old friends from Milag Nord were natives of Barra. A good impromptu re-union party was had by all.

Novelist-Actor

Novelist Compton Mackenzie was working until half past three one morning as a cargo skipper, making his first screen appearance in night shots for Michael Balcons film version of his novel Whisky Galore! He commentated afterwards:

"I cant wait for the next edition of Whos Who to come out. I want to add, 'Made film debut , aged 65.'"