DOMINION SCREEN CONTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 22 December 1926, Page 16

DOMINION SCREEN CONTEST.

I The Dominion contest now being conj ducted by First National Pictures, on behalf of Producers Distributing Corporation, offers to New Zealand girls an opportunity of attaining screen fame. The Auckland section of the contest will be carried out at the National and Lyric Theatres. All that is required of entrants is to till in the entry form, and send it, with a portrait or full-figure photograph, or, if possible, both, to the Casting Office, First National Pictures, P.O. Box, 1308, Wellington. From the photographs received the casting director will select thirty girls to compete in the Auckland semi-finals. Studio screen tests of the selected semi-finalists will be made in Auckland, and exhibited at the National and Lyric Theatres. . The Aucland finalists will then meet those from Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, in Auckland, on February 17. The winner of the Dominion contest will receive a free trip for herself and chaperon to Melbourne, where she will compete in the Australasian finals. The ultimate winner of the contest in Melbourne is to receive a ten weeks' contract engagement in Producers' Distributing Corporation pictures at Hollywood, at a salary of £20 a month. In addition, all expenses to America and back will be paid for both the winner and her chaperon. On arrival at Hollywood, the winner will take part in a picture which Cecil B. de Mille, the famous director, is to make. The male star in this picture will be Rod La Rocque, and a prominent role will be allotted to the contest winner. Among the prominent players included in the huge organisation of Producers' Distributing Corporation are Leatrice Joy, Marie Prevost, Elinor Fair, and Vera Reynolds. Intending entrants should fill in the entry form, which forms part of the advertisement published in another column. HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS THEATRES. A programme containing two exceptionally good productions, will be shown at both the Hippodrome and Empress Theatres this evening. The first attraction is "The Gentle Cyclone," a new Fos feature, starring Buck Jones. The story tells of the novel manner in which the hero settles a long-standing feud between two neighbouring ranchmen. Each cattle owner has a comely daughter; each hates the other; each had foresworn a deep and terrible vengeance. Then it is that Jones, as a hired peacemaker, comes into the scene. Instead of using the expected force of arms he reverts to the philosophy of girls; he uses one against the other and thus finds an end to the trouble. It must not be expected, however, that the peaceful and calm solution is reached without fistic difficulty, .for it is not. Jones is the cyclone of the story, although at times, a gentle one, if gentle cyclones there be. In any event, he leads the way to peaceful valleys and departs with a contented people behind him. The second feature is "The Hunted Woman," another Fox production, adapted from the wellknown novel by James Oliver Curwood. The story is one of the Frozen North and keeps those who see it interested from beginning to end. A special cast includes Seena Owen, Earl Schenck, Diana Aliller, Cyril Chadwick, Francis McDonafd, Edward Piel and Victor MacLaglen. MARIE BURKE IN "KATJA." Marie Burke, R. Barrett-Lennard, Cecil Kellaway, Thelma Burness, Babette Odeal, Herbert Browne and the other members of the latest J. C. Williamson, Ltd., musical comedy company will no doubt be welcomed by a large audience on Monday afternoon and evening next, when "Katja" will be staged for the first time in New Zealand. The part of "Katja" gives Marie Burke splendid opportunities to sing and dance and, in addition, it reveals a plot which contains a handsome prince, not in reduced circumstances, for her as a lover. A great deal of the success won by is due, of course, to the admirable company of principals which presents it. Mr. R. Barrett-Lennard is said to be one of the most original and quaint of comedians, and we know how humorous Mr. Cecil Kellaway can be when he receives the necessary opportunities. Features of "Katja" are the magnificent costumes and the gorgeous stage settings. Others are the brilliant chorus and the full operatic orchestra. The production is staged under the personal supervision of Mr. Charles A. Wenman. Only a limited number of performances can be staged of "Katja," and during the season ''Wildflower" will be revived.