NEW ZEALAND “MOVIE"

Evening Star, Issue 19800, 25 February 1928, Page 17

NEW ZEALAND “MOVIE"

MAORI CAST WANTED TOUR OF UNITED STATES. Mr Alexander Marky, writer and cinema director for Universal Pictures, will arrive in Auckland on the Niagara with his cameramen to film a New Zealand picture. It will be recalled (says the ‘Sun’) that Mr Marky paid an extended visit to Now Zealand about two years ago, and was so impressed by the scenic beauties of what ho termed “The Paradise of the South Seas,” that he decided to return for the purpose of producing a motion picture for his company, with New Zealand and old Maori life as the background. He has prepared a unique story for this film, and is scheduled to arrive in Auckland with a staff of assistants and cameramen on February 27. Within a few days he will commence the production in the North Island, and later in the South Island. Mr Marky contemplates using a large Maori cast for Ins picture, and he is particularly anxious to find the most beautiful Maori girl, and also a Maori youth typical of his race, to take the leading native parts in his film. Both must be thoroughly conversant with old Maori customs and dances. They must have pleasant features and fine physiques, and photograph well. In order to give the Maori youth of New Zealand an equal chance, Mr Marky invites aspirants of both sexes to send their photographs to him, together with a description of their height, weight, qualifications, etc., car© of the Grand Hotel, Auckland, in time for his arrival. He will give every applicant careful consideration and select those _ most suitable for the purpose of his picture. In addition to the principal characters, other members of the cast will also be selected. It is Mr Marky’s plan to take hack with him the leading members of his cast, for a tour of the United States upon the completion of the picture. Mr Marky has been an ardent globe trotter for many years, and throughout his travels he has been singularly impressed by the almost universal lack of appreciation of the wonders of New_ Zealand. His main purpose in making this film is to acquaint the rest of the world with the scenic charm of “ The Great White Cloud,” and make New_ Zealand an ardent topic of discussion in the most distant corners of the globe. Under the auspices of Universal Pictures Corporation it is obvious that the picture to be made by Mr Marky shovud prove one of tho greatest advertising mediums ever afforded the dominion.