DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1923, Page 4

DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS.

COMING TO NFW ZEALAND. (Lyttelton Times.) Douglas Fairbanks is coming to New Zealand! This is welcome news for moving picture levers, young and old! Mr Sam Blair, Douglas Fairbanks’s manager, arrived in Christcliureh. yesterday morning, in company with Mr Cecil Marks, of the Cnited Artists' Film Corporation, Wellington. In the -i course of a chat with a reporter. Mr Blair stated that Douglas Fail hunks would be coming to New Zealand in the not far distant future, to film scenes for the big picture he is at present working on—•‘The Black Pirate. Mr Blair could not have landed in Wellington at a worse time, as lie struck all the bad weather. Learning of the state of things in Blenheim he cabled to Mr Fairbanks telling him of the tremendous damage done by the j ( i„ds. Mr Fairbanks cabled straight back, asking Mr Blair to subscribe on ins I ehalf one hundred dollars to the relief fund. “The money "ill be paid to the Mayor of 'Wellington this morning,” said Mr Blair. Mr Blair said he was to have gene to the Wanganui liiver, but the bad weather made him change Ids plans and he came south instead. While in Wellington. Mr Blair obtained a great number of snapshots of The river, mountain and (oastal scenery of New Zealand and he considers it is an ideal place to shoot scenes such as Mr Fairbanks will re<|iiirc for his big picture.

‘‘The Californian scene] v lias I ecu done to death,” declared Mr Blair, “and we want something fresh. A gier.t many of the scenes will be lahcn in tile South Ken Islands, and then Mr Fairbanks "ill bring his company of KM ’..'layers it -o on to New Zealand." “The Black l’iraie" is a story wit-

ten by Kit.on Thomas, who made the pi; lure story of “Robin Heed.” This latier picture has proved a tremendous siicte.-s in England and Canada, apart fram creating what -Americans are wont to call a riot in that country.

“it' bin Hood” is a tremendous spectacle and is a much larger picture than “Intolerance’’ and ‘‘Orphans of the .Storm.”

‘T understand,” said Air Blair “that .Mr Fairbanks's pictures have net been popular here lately. Well, if that is the case, 1. cannot understand it. I was told in New York that I'ecpie out here did not like his swank and smile. But you can take it from me there is no swank about Mr Fairbanks. It is Ins happy-go-lucky style and lie i- tremendously popular over there with the ‘hoys’. lie is always a liberal giver to charity and over ready and willing to give advice l‘> aspiring relors and actresses. 11 is rr.dd is A 1 and he bears a splendid reptitnt.on. lie believes in keeping lit and < ni'ibiiics play with work. 11 is earnest cndeavuuv is to keep his pictures absolute!',' tree from vulgarity. Ai u will see a very different Fairbanks in ‘‘Robin flood.” in which the comedian is i ii'eii mere serin's.

“Playing with Mr Fairbanks in ■j'.'.k’n Hood.' ” continued Air Blair, “is an Au-tr,alien girl. Enid Bennett, and Relieve me she is a picture—one cf the uiOst beautiful gills on the screen. She was formerly uilh 0. Williamson companies.”

Questioned regarding the reported visit, of Charlie Chaplin anil Alary I’iekl'r.rtl in cmiiiinetioii with the other star, Mr Blair said he did not think there was much possibility of, the two former coming. “Charlie Chaplin is making a comedy of ‘-Hamlet", said .Mr Plair. “Cam you imagine it? And much as Alls Fairbanks we.uld like to

a-ciimi.Toy her lr'Gjaml to New Zealand she is in ten mueli demand to he allowed i:\vny- fur any length of time. ' l ike nit'st visitors Air Blair was greatly taken with the layout' ol this city and described the Squaie as being beautiful, lie was also very enthusiastic about the picture theatres, which he declared to be equal to anything in America. He intends to stay here for a couple of days or so and will then go across to the \Vo-t Coast.

All- Blair le eived n telegram yrstl■']•.!.'v afternoon stating that the him “R ’.in 1 lord” featuring Dough's Fairbanks '. ill If screened at Government Hofse. Auckland, on .May 22.