Beauty Winners Leave for Hollywood

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 12, 29 September 1933, Page 3

Beauty Winners Leave for Hollywood

New Zealanders Joined by Australian Finalists: Special Last-Minute Interview and Photographs

BY the Matson liner Monterey, which reached Auckland last Saturday morning, there arrived "Miss Australia" (Miss Gwen Munro) and "Mr, Australia" (Mr. Brian Norman), the Australian winners in the Paramount "Search for Beauty" contest. They were joined by the New Zealand winners, Miss J oyce Nielsen, of Wellington, and Mr.

Voln Lapiey, or Dun-| edin, and later in the day the lucky youngsters sailed for Los Angeles after an enthusiastie farewell at the wharf, Miss Munro and Mr. Norman were interviewed on their arrival by the Auckland repre: sentative of the "Radio Record." He found Miss Munro in the luxurious stateroom which she Sypres with her mother, bo is ,accompanying her on her voyage to the motion’ picture studios of California. Miss ° Munro is a charming young woman of the true Australian type. Slightly built and not very tall. she is a brunette and has pretty hazel eyes and a vivacious personality. She: speaks well, without affectation. Naturally, she is thrilled at the idea .of taking part in Paramount’s special production in which other contest winners from various countries ° of the world are to be starred. ‘She hopes that

she will make good and will be offered a further cngugement although, if not successful, she intimated that she would not be disappointed or downhearted. To the interviewer she 1m nounced that she was 19, year's old, and that she was mostly educated in Burope, mainly in Switzerland and in Italy. She lives with her mother and father and younger sister at South Yarra, Melbourne. Her father is a wealthy and prominent grazier of Queensland. Miss Munro only recently returned from Europe, so trayelling will be nothing new to her. However, she has not been to the United States, and is eagerly looking forward to her sojourn there. Riding, swimming and golf are her three principal recreations. A member of both the Melbourne Little Theatre Society and the Gregan McMahon Players, Miss Munro has taken principal parts in several productions by both these well-known amateur repertory societies. Questioned about the wardrobe she had on board, Miss

Munro said she hud clothes valued at £150, I am waiting until [ arrive at Los Angeles before I add to my wardrobe," she said, with a quaint smite, "It will be great fun roaming around the shops and seeing what the women of California are wearing." "Yes, I am determined to make good oyrer there, and it will not be my fault if I fail." she added. : A tall, ‘handsome young fellow is Mr. Norman. Wearing a smart blue striped double-breasted suit, I found him in his cabin preparing to step ashore to see a little of Auckland during his five-hour stay here. He is 2 solicitor by profession, having only in July been admitted after passing his final examinations. He comes from Chatswood, Sydney, but was born in Melbourne 24 years ago. "(his is the first time I have been away from (Continued on page 48.)

BEAUTY WINNERS DEPART |

"A Few Months Ago My Sole Wealth was 3/4" (Continued from Page 3.) Australia," he said. "You see, until I stepped aboard this ship I had never been outside Sydney Heads, so you can guess what an experience it is for me. A few months ago my'sole wealth was 3/4, so I am not doing bad. I have no preconceived ideas about the trip to Los Angeles, and if I am not the right type to warrant selection in a picture or two-well, that will not worry me; I realise that I am only on’ approval." Mr. Norman is a Rugby Union enthusiast, and also plays a good round of golf. He has left his golf clubs at home and will invest in a new kit en his arrival in America. He has previously takén part in plays: staged by the Sydney Players’ Club, his last appearance being made in "Dutch Courage," by an Australian. He explained that, after a trying series of personal tests, the film was sent to Paramount headquarters and it was. then announced that Miss Munro and himself had been’ selected from fhe various other State finalists to make the trip. Mr. Norman was_ selected from 500 others who. entered from the Prince Edward Theatre,, Sydney. Altogether 15 couples are meeting in. Los Angeles, including representatives from the other: British Dominions. ’ Both Miss Munro and Mr. «Norman stated that just prior to leaving Australia they each had @ trying and hectic time at farewell parties.. Hach confessed' that they were glad to get on the Monterey and depart for sunny California. At noon on Saturday. the two, Australian finalists met the New Zealand finalists on the Monterey, and were introduced to‘each other by Mr. F. B. Thompson, local representative for Paramount Films. Before their. departure a’ Paramount cameraman took a-:few shots of the happy scene on board. On: Friday the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, extended a civic reception to Miss Nielsen and Mr. Tapley. The two visitors were introduced to the Mayor and Mayoress by Mr. F. Ansell,. manager of the Regent Theatre, Auckland. Mr. Thompson and Mrs. Nielsen’ were also present, In offering congratulations, the Mayor said. that New Zealanders who had gone to the United States, either in pursuit of commercial or technical enterprise, had invariably made good. ¥rom an educational and general knowledge point of view, he thought New Zealanders were better equipped than the average American. . "A picture star can become famous in a night, which is more than ean be said of any mayor," said Mr. Hutch son. "New Zealand will watch the result of the contest with great interest, and all hope to hear that success comes the way of Miss Nielsen and Mr. Tapley. On behalf of the mayoress and myself and, in fact, the citizens of Auckland, we wish you both every stccess.’ ‘Mr. Tapley, replying on behalf of Miss Neilsen and himself, thanked the

Mayor for his encouraging remarks. While they both hoped to obtain future contracts, they each recognised that. they might be back, again in three months,