AUSTRALIA WINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 88, 14 April 1927, Page 8

AUSTRALIA WINS.

NEW 'STAR' FOR HOLLYWOOD. NATIONAL SCREEN CONTEST. SYDNEY FIRST, AUCKLAND THIRD. Miss Phyllis Gibbs, the New South Wales representative in First National Pictures Australian and New Zealand screen star quest, won the final contest at the Green Mill Palais, Melbourne. The New Zealand representative, Miss Billie Andrcassen, of Auckland, was placed third with Miss Barbara Bruce, of Melbourne. The finals finished last Saturday. Official information of the final result was received last night by Mr. Erol Fuller, First National representative in Auckland. The placingg were:— Miss Phyllis Gibbs (Sydney) .. 1 Miss Heba Wallace (Perth; .. 2 Miss Billie Andreassen (Auckland, N.Z.), and Miss B. Bruce (Melbourne) 3 Miss M. Grayson (Adelaide) .. 4 Miss D. Chaunsey (Brisbane) f> Miss Gibbs, the winner, will go to Hollywood, where she will be co starred with Rod La Rocque in a picture called

'"White Gold," which will toll the story of the Australian wool industry. All expenses for Miss Gibbs and chaperone from .Sydney to Hollywood will lie paid

by First National, and she will be given a salary of £20 a week witfi a 10 weeks' contract. If she proves herself a success she will continue her career under Cecil B. de Mille's personal supervision. Miss Gibbs is 18, is sft 4in in height., and weighs Bst 51b. Her complexion is fair, she has light brown hair and blue eyes. She was the only unshingled girl among the finalists. Praise For Auckland Girl. Mr. Gayne Dexter, a First National producer who came across from America for the finals at Melbourne, was greatly impressed with the work of Miss Andreassen. He said that if she had been a couple of years older (she is only

16) she would have been very near the top at the finish. Her age was against her, but there was not the slightest doubt about her capabilities. Her work was excellent, he said.

Letters received in Auckland by First National say that Miss Andreassen was given a great reception when she was introduced at the Green Mill Palais.

Miss Andreassen and her chaperone (Mrs. Geo. Tarr) left Sydney for Auckland by the Ulimaroa to-day. They are bringing with them films of the finals at Melbourne, and these will be screened in Auckland and throughout New Zealand. Miss Andreassen will arrive in Auckland on Monday morning.