NEW ZEALAND SCREEN STAR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18894, 8 January 1927, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND SCREEN STAR.

SEARCH TO BE CONDUCTED. With the object of giving Now Zealand an opportunity, of competing in the worldwide popularity of the motion picture art, as represented by the p&rely artistic aspect, First NatiouaTPictures (Australasia) are now launching a campaign throughout New Zealand and Australia ,in search {or what they believe to bo the girl who is poßßessed ot the beauty, personality, and abilities of the screen stari and in sending to Hollywood, thus placing before the eyes of the stage world the names of these Dominions. That we have in our midst a potential Mary Pickford or Gloria Swanson is not to be doubted* and it it but seemly that our gifted and comely young women should come forward and offer themselves as candidates. First Natidfial Pictures (Australasia) have entered into an agreement with the Crystal Palace Theatre, Christcliurch, to invite all aspirants to report at that theatre to fill in the competition form, and learn more exhaustively the terms of the competition. The girl selected for Hollywood is to receive a ten weeks' contract with Cecil B. de Mille, the producer-director of "The Ten Commandments" and "The Volga Boatman," to appear in a leading part in at least one production, and providing she reveals the average talent, she will, if to desirous, be offered a long contract. Her salary for the ten weeks' contract will bo £2O per week, and all her expenses and those of her chaperone, to and from America, will be paid by the company. One girl will be selected from New Zealand and one from each State in the Commonwealth, the final adjudicating to take vlace at the Green Mill Palais, Melbourne, during the week commencing March 20th, 19"J7. Passages have been tentatively booked by the s.s. Sonoma, and if the wiuner cannot bo ready by that date they will be changed to the s.s. Ventura, sailing from Sydney on April 30th. If the winner is a New Zealand girl she will sail direct from the Dominion. The committee to judge the finalists will comprise representatives of First National Pictures and the Press, an artist, a doctor, and a professional lihotographer. It is to be understood that the decision of the Casting Directors is to be accepted by the candidates as final. Further particulars may be obtained from the manager of the Crystal Palace Theatre, wbere the entry form is to be filled in. Kntrics close on January 17th.