A FREE LANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1925, Page 4

A FREE LANCE.

MR WINTER HALL AT HOLLY WOOD. WELLINGTON, Nov. 25.

Mr Winter Hall, the well-known New - Zealand actor, wiio has been actively associated with the film industry at Holloywood since the war, is visiting New Zealand.

Mr Winter Hall explained to an interviewer that during his nine years’ at the great picture centre lie lias been a free lance, not cum rat ting exclusively to any producer.

‘•Von see,” lie said, “if you do not happen to he one of the big stars, and you enter into a contract to work for a certain corporation, von must he prepared to play any sort of part in any sort of picture, and are subject to call at any time. You may even be asked to play in three or four pictures at the same time. You may be a respectable hanker at !) o’clock in the morning, deep-dyed villain at II a.m.. a par-on at 2 p in., and an engine driver at I p.m. That i- for tbe character people. I am not one of those. I am a type, and am carefully docketed away in memories ol producers as one who ill appearance may figure as a good father, a banker, senator, professor. Minister <•! the Gospel. scientist, and so on. “1 keep away from the beard and the heavy make-up. In brief, 1 am a type that is wanted, and there you are.

‘‘.Most of my work has been done with Lasky Famous Players, hut I am tied to none. I get plenty to do. yet am in the happy position of playing only such parts as those 1 approve of. I do not play such parts as those of dirty had men. I aim at being on the screen the good man, elear-cut and dignified. That is how my screen friends know me. and it accords with my desire to be so known. ‘T suppose I have worked with every star in the business under most of the best known producers. It is interesting work up to a point, but never so much so as the real stage work. “One of the drawbacks to the business is the monotony attendant upon the inevitable waiting that everyone, even the stars, has to put up with.’ Expert cameramen, according to Mr Winter Hall, are among the unscreened stars. A proved eamerist may get between £IOO and £l5O weekly, and they are eagerly sought after. Mary Piekford would "not think of being shot by anyone except George Roslier, who knows her every mood and look.