Aucklander Plays in German Talkie

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 828, 23 November 1929, Page 1

Aucklander Plays in German Talkie

CAST IN LEAD SUCCESS AT HOLLYWOOD ! Another Aucklander has climbed to stardom in the movie world. He is Mr. John Edward Batten, a son of Mr. F. H. Batten, a well-known dentist of this city. An Aucklander by birth, Mr. Batten was educated at King’s College, and later received instruction at Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree’s dramatic school in London. For several years he was on the stage with travelling companies with a certain degree of success, arriving at last with the company at Hollywood. His performance on the stage there was noted by Cecil de Mille, and it was not long before he was given a screen contract, appearing in “Back Stage.” Later he played juvenile leads in “Robinson and

; Crusoe” and in “Her Great Ambition.” The only film in which Mr. Batten , has appeared in Auckland is “The , Battle of the Sexes,” a D. W. Griffiths . production, which was shown at the Strand Theatre about six months ago. • He also plaj r ed in “Godless Girl,” which 1 will not come to New Zealand. In November, 1928, Mr. Batten went to England, returning to Hollywood in January of the following year. Shortly after arriving back in America he received an offer from British International Pictures to play the lead in Thomas Hardy’s “Under the Green wood Tree.” which he accepted, returning to England at the film company’s expense. This picture proved a great success at private screenings to the trade, and he was signed up immediately to star in “The Chauffeur Prince.” the first talkie made by the German company. U.F.A. He is receiving £IOO a week for this contract. Mr. Batten, who is 26 years old, will probably return to Hollywood after he finishes this picture, and will visit New Zealand on his way. “Under the Greenwood Tree” Is a silent film, and being such, will not be shown in leading Queen Street theatres, but probably “The Chauffeur Prince” will be screened here in due course.