ELAINE HAMILL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 188, 7 May 1936, Page 4

ELAINE HAMILL

Successful New Zealand Actress

‘•Here is Miss Hamill now.” With these words, the porter announced Miss Elaine Hamill, the beautiful New Zealand actress who arrived at Wellington yesterday from Sydney, and who interrupted her unpacking to see a “Dominion” representative wjio called upon her at the somewhat early hour of 10 a.m. 'With a winning smile and outstretched hand she entered the lounge of her hotel, looking charming in the extreme—and one lost no time in deciding that W was little wonder she won the “Women’s Weekly” personality contest in Australia. , „ “Please excuse my looking anyhow, she said. By “looking anyhow” she meant being perfectly turned out in a smartly cut deep beige tailored suit of wool, a halo hat of almond green worn well off the face, and with a most provocative eye-veil, and a chic little cape of deep cinnamon summer ermine. A large filigree brooch, in the centre of which was a green transparent stone, was worn at the neckline, and the green was repeated in her art bracelet and smart handbag. “It is lovely to be back in New Zealand, especially as my mother is here to see me,” Miss Hamill said. "Thank goodness we didn’t have a bad trip, so I’m not looking too worn out,” she added, and her interviewer made a mental note that any woman who could look so pretty and fresh at the hour of 10 a.m. —especially after having come off a steamer after three days at sea—could scarcely look worn out at any time. Miss Hamill, who has not been in New Zealand for more than 18 months, has had considerable experience as a mannequin, both on and off the stage. She has always been keen on dramatic work and always wanted a stage career. “I loved the mannequin work,” she added, “and it was wonderful training. Mind you, it is hard work—but so is everything if you want. to succeed. You know, I have received letters and requests from numerous girls asking if there is scope for mannequin and stage work in Australia. There is; but they must be prepared for very hard work, and must not mind some failures.” Speaking of the stage in Australia, Miss Hamill said that it was definitely coming back into its own once more. She felt very happy at beng given the opportunities of appearing in a dramatic company. Her first stage appearance was in “Blue Mountain Melody,’’ with Madge Elliott and Cyril Rltchard, in which she was a show girl. Later she played in professoual repertory and then replaced Jean Duncan as Sophie in “Roberta” (the part played in New Zealand by Diana du Cane). Then she was engaged to play in the company to which she now belongs. Her ambition is to do dramatic work, both on the stage and the films, and to go abroad. Referring to her company, Miss Hamill said she felt proud to be associated with such finished artists as Miss Ethel Morrison (also a New Zealander and very well known in theatrical circles, both in Australia and in the Dominion) and Mr. Harvey Adams. “I feel very now beside them,” she volunteered. “They are both wonderful, and one can learn so much from them. In our opening play here, I have to wilt about and try to look beautiful” —whereupon she described six glorious creations that she has to “wilt” in—and as for “trying” to look beautiful that ought to bo the easiest task of her life. The company will play one night in Taibape, Miss Hamill’s home town. She is thrilled at the thought and is eagerly looking forward to getting there. “And now,” she smiled, “you won t mind if I return to my unpacking, will you? I have crowds of things to straighten out.” And with a cheery good-bye she returned to her room.