TYPIST TO FILM STAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 19, 13 April 1927, Page 4

TYPIST TO FILM STAR

LOIS WILSON’S RISE A ROMANTIC STORY Tap-tap, tap-tap: Lots’ dainty fingers fluttered from key to key. Ting, rang the little bell. Swish, its Lois swept the carriage to the right and spaced the rapidly filling sheet another line or two upwards. '‘Yours faithfully,”—“Thank Heaven j that letter's finished. Wonder how many times I’ve written that old stuff j to-day,” thought Lois. “And where'll it all get me?” she | queried aloud, gazing pensively at the blankness of the frosted partition of the office. Lois Wilson was a girl who prided herself on keeping up with the times. She made a point of reading the evening paper. “I don’t see the """se of buying two papers a day. Lots ... ~iu news is just a repetition,” Lois said to herself as she turned the pages of the evening journal. “National Beauty Competition.” Lois gazed idly at first, then becoming interested scanned the columns beneath the heading. Suddenly dropping the paper to the floor she ran to the mirror and slowly and searchingly scrutinised her reflection. Slim and graceful, in height perhaps ( a couple of inches over five feet, she held herself erect. Soft brown hair framed a charming face, her lovely hazel eyes wide set and vividly expressive, Lois faced a pleasing picture. “Why not?” Lois argued mentally with herself. “Lots of nice girls compete in these contests. And if I did win it?” She thrilled at the thought. “Mother and the girls, well, we could all have the loveliest time all together again.” DAYS OF SUSPENSE Sharply on the stroke ( of mid-day Lois hurried out alone. She must, find a photographer. Not a word to Nora of her mysterious undertaking. Several days later another mysterious engagement—the photograph secured ! and despatched on its fateful journey. Then followed weeks of feverish uncertainty. Would she gain a place? Lois realised that success would mean direct contact with the powers that be in the moving picture world. She would be brought under the notice of the film directors—her cherished dream of acting for the screen might come true! Hundreds of girls went to California, she knew, on the mere chance of breaking into the moving picture world. Lois wanted a more definite plan of action. Swiftly the judging day drew near. To Lois it was as a dream, and, when the numbers went up, and she was acclaimed the winner her happiness was almost boundless. SUCCESS A small part in “The Dumb Girl of Portici” was the first role assigned to Lois Wilson, and so successful was the newcomer that she was immediately given leading parts opposite Warren Kerrigan and Frank Keenan. Then followed important work in “A Man’s a Man,” “The City of Silent Men,” “What Every Woman Knows.” Paramount Pictures then engaged her and she played with the late Wallace Reid and Bryant Washburn. After a long engagement with Paramount Lois Wilson appeared under William de Mille’s direction in “Midsummer Madness,” “The World’s Champion,” “Is Matrimony a Failure?” and “Our Leading Citizen.” Two later pictures were “Manslaughter” and ‘‘Miss Lulu Bett.” Few screen actresses have mastered the art of “make-up” so successfully as Lois Wilson. This is not strange when one learns that it was Lon Chaney himself who taught the clever little girl this branch of screen technique. Lois Wilson has decided that seven or eight years of playing “nice little girl” parts is enough. She pines for more sophisticated roles. And what Lois sets out to do she succeeds in accomplishing. Her art means everything to her—more than her personal inclination. To play a recent part successfully she sacrificed her lovely brown hair, which for years she declared would never be delivered up to shingle or bob. Nothing can better illustrate the esteem and regard in which Lois Wilson is held by the film world generally than the fact that she was selected from hundreds of others to travel to Wembley Exhibition, there to represent the great film industry. And now Lois is back in Hollywood, with her mother and sisters, busily preparing for fresh conquests in the work she loves better than anything else. NEW ZEALAND’S AMBASSADOR New Zealand is searching for an ambassador to send to the hub of the film world. “Miss New Zealand 1927” is a Dominion-wide contest, and from among the competitors will he chosen the girl whose beauty, fineness of character, ability and training will fit her to carry the honour that awaits her. All expenses to the United States and back will be paid, a complete wardrobe supplied, together with liberal pocket money, and with her will travel an approved chaperon. In Hollywood a definite engagement to appear in a feature film will be offered to ‘Miss New Zealand 1927,” and her salary will be £25 during the currency of the engagement. At the great MetroGold wyn-Mayer Studios, Culver City, she will be initiated into the mysteries of the technique of acting for the camera. Lois Wilson’s debut was by way of a competition* To “Miss New Zealand 1927” is offered the same chance. New Zealand’s Girl Am- ! bassador will find success awaiting her in the great film world.