“A WORKER!”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 56, 28 May 1927, Page 23 (Supplement)

“A WORKER!”

“Miss New Zealand’s ” Qualifications AMERICAN SCENARIO WRITER’S VIEW OF GREAT SCREEN CONTEST CLARKE IRVINE, the American scenario writer who is in Auckland in connection with the screening of "The Birth of a Flower,” was in Hollywood when Lois Wilson arrived fresh with £he honours of her beauty contest upon ner. Lois Wilson came with a party of 40 other girls from all parts of the

iys Mr. Irvine, who was a member of the press delegation which lunched with the American beauties. “It was quite impossible to distinguish Miss Wilson’s qualities in those far off days,” he says, “for she was only one little girl among so many.

Yet, she had all the necessary qualifications for a successful screen career, and she has reached the top of the tree.*’ , TT ~ . Of all those girls who went to Hollywood that day buoyed with such hopes I.ois Wilson is the only one who has achieved stardom. ON RIGHT LINES Mr. Irvine believes that the test for “Miss New Zealand 1927” is being conducted in such a way that the Dominion’s representative in screendom will have the same qualifications as Miss Wilson. She will not be selected merely because of her good looks, but will have certain qualifications which are so absolutely essential for success in California. To begin with, she must be a worker. It will not be all speech -making in Culver City, which Mr. Irvine knows so well as his (home is there. Sooner or' later the New Zealand girl will realise that there must be enormous calls upon her strength. “It is not all plain sailing m Culver City ” says Mr. Irvine, who recalls the fact that when he first knew Irene Rich she was driving a Ford “flivver to and from location, and very satisfied to obtain work as an “extra.” Mr. Irvine, who has had a good deal of photographic experience in different parts of the world, will give the 'Miss New Zealand 1927” management some hints as' to the photographic qualities of candidates.

Mr. Lester Browne, the Loilon representative of Fox Films who is now in Auckland, has had a theatrical career as well as living among the movie stars in Hollywood for six and a-half years. Mr. Browne was engaged in London by J. C. Williamson to produce a number of their pantomime successes, and other productions oi years ago. Ada Reeve, Carrie Moore and Grace Palotta (now living in her native Vienna), were among the artists with whom he was associated. Mr. Browne is in Auckland supervising the presentation of “What Price Glory, the new Fox master film. Charlie Chaplin told him, just prior to his departure from Hollywood, that it was the best picture he had ever seen.

Betty Jewel, young Paramount leading woman, was “dared” to enter the movies, so the story goes. A school friend in New York challenged her to make the attempt. She made her way to the Griffth studio, where “Orphans of the Storm” was being made, and before she had mustered up courage to speak, D. W. Griffith saw her .and invited her to take part in the pictures. She has been playing ever since.

Fifteen years is a long time to spend in any undertaking, but this represents the time that Jacques Lernerm, noted French actor, who impersonates the monkey in Fox Films’ “The Monkey Talks,” has spent in the study of ape mannerisms. Olive Borden characterises the leading feminine role. Don Alvarado, Raymond Hitchcock, Jane Winton are also in the cast.

Ricardo Cortez has been engaged for the leading male role in “Anna Karenina,” in which Greta Garbo 'will be starred. Jack Holt's perfect physical condition served him in good stead during the making of “Man Of The Forest,” a Zane Grey Paramount picture due for release in New Zealand- At the end of a 100 ft roll down a cliff with his horse, Jack got up, dusted himself, recovered his hat and was ready to go on with the filming. The tumble happened 10,000 ft above sea level in the California Sierras, where the company was on location, when a narrow trail along which his horse was loping gave way without warning. Animal and rider plunged down the embankment.