A NEW ZEALAND SCREEN STAR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18899, 14 January 1927, Page 11

A NEW ZEALAND SCREEN STAR.

SEARCH TO BE CONDUCTED. With the laudable object in view of giving New Zealand an opportunity of competing in tho world-wide popularity of the motion picture art, as represented by the purely artistic aspect, i"ir3t National Picture's (Australasia) uro now lauuehing a campaign throughout New Zealand and Australia in search of what they believe to bo tho girl who is possessed of the beauty, personality, and abilities of the screen star, and, in sending her to Hollywood, thus placing before the eyes, of tho staga world the names of these Dominions. That thoro is here a potential Mary Pickford or Gloria Swanson is not to bo doubted, and it is but seemly that gifted and comely young women should come forward and offer themselves aa candidates. First National Pictures (Australasia) havo entered into an agreement with tho Crystal Palace Theatre, Christchurch, to invito all aspirants to report at that theatre to fill in tho competition form and loarn more exhaustively tho terms of the competition. Tho girl selected for Hollywood is to receive a ten-weeks' contract with Cecil B. de Mille, the producerdirector of "The Ten Commandments" and "The Volga Boatman," to appear in a leading part in at least ono production, and, providing Bha reveals the average talent, she will, if so desirous, be offered a long contract. Her salary for tho ten-weoks' contract will be £2O per week, and all her expenses and those of her chaperon, to and from America, will be paid by the company. One girl will be selected from New Zealand and ono from each State in tho Commonwealth, the final adjudicating to take place at the Green Hill Palais. Melbourne, during tho week commencing March 20th. 1927. Passages havo been tentatively booked by tho b.s. Sonoma, and, if tho winner cannot be.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 photographer. It is to be understood that the decision of the casting directors is to be accepted by tho candidates as final. Further particulars may be obtained from the manager of tho Crystal Plaare Theatre, where the entry form is to bo filled in. Entries close on January 22nd.