OPPORTUNITY!

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 62, 4 June 1927, Page 25 (Supplement)

OPPORTUNITY!

N.Z. AGAIN LEADS What Screen Competition Offers Written by THE SUN’S Movie Editor 'VEVER in the history of screen* dom has a better, more generous offer been made to a girl than the “Miss New Zealand 1327” offer. Well do I recall the excitement in Sydney last year when Miss Beryl Mills, the idol of all Australia, was feted on her way to America.

Yet Beryl Mills was never offered an opportunity to go on the films. It is true that she did meet a number of the stars. Hollywood and Culver City showered hospitality upon this unassuming varsity girl who returned to Australia just as self-pos-sessed as when she went away. DEFINITE ENGAGEMENT But there was never an offer of a definite screen engagement as is offered in the “Miss New Zealand” competition. The New Zealand girl will have far greater opportunities than “Miss Australia” had, though this year’s Australian competition is on a much more lavish scale. A trip to Europe is even included. “Miss New Zealand 1927” will be given a part in a feature film at a salary of £25 a week during the engagement, and she will have a wonderful opportunity to learn the technique of acting for the camera. It will open up a boundless field for the right girl, for should she prove capable further engagements will be

offered her in one of Metro-Gold wynMayer’s stock companies at a salary commensurate with her ability. These, in turn, might prove ‘stepping stones to a great career. ATLANTIC PAGEANT She will be received by the Mayor of Culver City at a civic reception, at which leading directors and film stars will be present. Should the dates permit, she will take part in the great Beauty Pageant at Atlantic City as the Dominion’s representative. Provincial prizes will be awarded, but .on slightly different conditions from those which governed last year's “Miss New Zealand” contest. “Miss Auckland” will receive a prize of £3O. Her Maid of Honour will receive £2O, and each of the 20 semi-finalists will be presented with consolation prizes.

The Inca, which was towed three miles outside the Sydney Heads, set on fire, blown up, and sunk to provide one of the thrills in “For the Term of His Natural Life,” had a very adventurous career before her end. She originally sailed under the American flag, and was for many years employed in the lumber trade between the Pacific Coast and Australia. The Inca’s sea-going career ended in 1921. Whc-n four miles off the Australian coast she was struck by a terrific cyclonic storm, which left her dismasted and waterlogged. In this plight she was picked up by the Como and a salvage claim for several thousand pounds was paid to that vessel for bringing her into I port. Anxious for the safety of his | family and crew, the Inca's captain. I after the vessel was dismasted, sent I them away in a lifeboat, excepting the j donkevman. who stayed with him. The j lifeboat was adrift for only 24 hours : when the occupants were picked up ! and taken to Honolulu. The captain I and the donkevman kept the ship ; afloat, and after a week’s drift they j were found and towed to Sydney.

Popular Bebe Daniels, called by many the screen's greatest comedienne, who was last seen in “The Palm Beach Girl” and “The Campus Flirt.” excels herself in “Stranded in Paris” the new Paramount comedy which started at the Regent on Friday night. Bebe is shown as Jule McFadden. a timid shop girl, who wins a trip to Gay Paree anti becomes stranded there without a cent. By a strange trick, she is given the opportunity to masquerade as a countess, and her adventures carry her from one hilarious situation to another In the supporting cast are James Hall, Iris Stuart, Helen Dunbar and Tom Ricketts. Many interesting glimpses of Paris add fascination t«» the film. John Barrymore, who is starring in t L - role of Francois Villon in ’ The Beloved Rogue,” United Artists’ picture, has just been given a presentation copy of a new John Barrymore edition of Shakespeare’s complete works. The frontispiece dedication of this edition, published by a London and Glasgow firm, reads as follows:—“To John Barrymore, who, by his fine intellect and splendid accomplishment, has illuminated several of the great plays of Shakespeare, this volume is, by permission, and as a token of appreciation of his magnificent interpretation of England’s greatest dramatist, r - spectfully dedicated.” United Artists is becoming more and more a family affair. Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, two of the founders and owner-members, are, of course, Mr. and Mrs Fairbanks in private life. Norma Talmadge is the wife of Joseph M. Schenck, producer and chairman of the board of directors of United Artists. Buster Keaton is Norma Talmadge’s brother-in-law, Natalia Talmadge being his wife. And, just to complete the cycle, the Duncan sisters. Rosetta and Vivian, are busy making “Topsy and Eva” for United Artists. A strange little city of dykes, ditches, queer Dutch buildings and windmills arose almost overnight in a corner of the Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer studios recently, where a bit of old Holland had been transplanted. This was the Dutch village constructed for the new production, “The Red Mill,” in which Marion Davies is starred. Intensive research went into the building of the set, and queer Dutch boats, an old inn, and other picturesque details made it one of the most elaborate at the studios. “The Red Mill” was adapted from the famous musical comedy of the same name, and includes Owen Moore. Louise Fazenda, George fciegmann, Snitz Edwards, Karl Dane and many other well-known players in the cast. • * j Francis X. Bushman, jun.. is a liv- ! ing example of the old adage that • blood will tell.” The son of one of i the first screen matinee idols, he left ! college to try his luck on the screen | and has met with almost meteoric suc- ; cess. This young player has a leading role in “The Understanding Heart.” the screen version of Peter B. Kyne’s famous novel. The cast of players includes Joan Crawford. Carmel Myers. Rockliffe Felloves and many other artists. “The Understanding Heart" has been given an elaborate interpretation, and some wonderful out-door scenery has been photographed.