Douglas Geerdts

(b. 21/05/1919 – d. 16/11/1983). Sound recordist. Also credited as D. Geerdts & D.H. Geerdts.

Biography

Douglas Haig Geerdts was a sound recordist who was employed by African Film Productions during the 1940s and 1950s and worked on both features and documentaries. After he left AFP he bought a tobacco farm north of Pretoria and continued to do freelance work as a soundman, which included a stint for George Michael on his The Michaels of Africa television series. His father, Albert, had become a hotel proprietor in Bethal and after his death, Douglas’s brother Thomas had taken over the management. He, in turn, was succeeded by Douglas. His first wife, Hilda Geerdts, was a wardrobe mistress and later a make-up artist who had come out to Africa to work for Zoltan Korda. They met on the set of Korda’s Cry, the Beloved Country (1951). After their divorce in 1964 he married Susanna Jansen.

Filmography

Features

Geboortegrond (Pierre de Wet/1946), Simon Beyers (Pierre de Wet/1947), Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwak (Pierre de Wet/1948), Kom Saam Vanaand! (Pierre de Wet/1949), Zonk! (Hyman Kirstein/1950), Hier’s Ons Weer! (Hyman Kirstein/1950), Alles Sal Regkom! (Hyman Kirstein/1951), Altyd in my Drome (Pierre de Wet/1952).

Documentaries

The Flying Angel (1940), Oproep! (Joseph Albrecht/1943), Arches of Faith / ‘n Volk se Erfenis (Kurt Baum/1949), Die Verhaal van die Voortrekker Monument (Kurt Baum/1950), Zebediela: monument to a pioneer / Zebediela: monument vir ‘n baanbreker (Hyman Kirstein/195*), Colourful Courtship / Ndebele-troue (Kurt Baum/1956).

Television

The Michaels of Africa (TV series) (George Michael/1955)

Sources

Rand Daily Mail, 27 March 1959

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4969549/?ref_=nv_sr_1

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