A NEW ZEALAND SCREEN STAR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18900, 15 January 1927, Page 8

A NEW ZEALAND SCREEN STAR.

SEARCH TO BE CONDUCTED. With tho laudable object in view of giving New Zealand an opportunity of competing in the world-wido popularity of the motion piclure art, as represented by tho purely artistic aspect, First National Pictures (Australasia) are now launching a campaign throughout Now Zealand and Australia in search of what they believe to bo the girl who is possessed of the beauty, personality, and abilities of the scroen star, and, in sending her to Hollywood, thus placing before tho eyes of tho stage world the names of these Dominions. That thoro is hero a potontial Mary Pickford or Gloria Swanson is not to be doubted, and it is but seemly that gifted and comely young women should come forward and offer themysolves as candidates. First National Pictures (Australasia) have entered into nn agreement with tho Crystal Palace Theatre, Ohristchurch, to invito all aspirants to report nt that theatre to fill in the competition form and learn moro exhaustively the terras of tho competition. The girl selected for Hollywood is to receive a ten-weeks' contract with Cecil B. de Mille, the producerdirector of "The Ten Commandments" and "Tho Volga Boatman," to appear in a leading part in at least one production, and, providing she reveals the average talent, she will, if so desirous, be offered a long contract. Her salary for the ten-weeks' 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. Ono girl will bo selected from New Zealand and one from each State in the Commonwealth, tho final adjudicating to take place at the Green Mill Palais, Melbourne, during the week commencing March 20th, 1927. Passages have been tentatively booked by the s.s. Sonoma, and, if the winner cannot be ready by thnt date, they will bo changed to the s.s. Ventura, sailing from Sydnev on April 30th. If tho winner is a New Zealand jrirl, she will sail direct from tlio Dominion. The committee to judge the finalists will comprise representatives of First National Pictures and tho Press, an artist, a doctor, and a professional photographer. It is to he understood that tho decision of the casting directors is to be accepted by the candidates as final. Further particulars may be obtained from tho, manager of the Crvstal Plaace Theatre, where the entry form i's to bo filled in. Entries close on January 22u<3.