BABY STARS

Evening Star, Issue 23564, 1 May 1940, Page 8

BABY STARS

ST. JOHN CONTEST SCREENINGS BEGIN ON FRIDAY The St. John centennial baby contest reached an interesting stage this morning, when 291 entrants of the total of 549 wore flashed in all their infant glory on the, screen of the St. James Theatre. The preview was attended by only a small gathering, but there was no doubting the general enthusiasm as these budding Shirley Temples or Baby Sandys “ did their stuff ” in the 10ft of film allocated to each. Mr Eoe Hill’s moving photography has been excellent, and he has been fortunate in “ shooting ” the children in most happy positions. In expression and gesture the 291 baby stars shown this morning demonstrated what is known as innocent babyhood in the most charming manner. Attitudes ranged from the restful recline of the vefy small to the vigorous, lively motions of the normal healthy child, and Mr Hill seems to have displayed considerable - appreciation of the value of poses as they suit certain types. Dunedjn people, apart from those intimately interested in the contest, are promised some entertaining interludes during the daily screenings, which commence on Friday. These screenings have been arranged in groups of 90, and each group willbe shown at the matinee and the evening performance. The entire 549 will be shown on successive nights, so that each day will see a different 90 screened until all the entries have been shown, when the groups will be rescreened in the same order until the end of May. The method adopted will preclude the possibility of the same group being shown oh the equivalent night of each week, so that regular patrons of, say, a Monday night will be assured of seeing all entrants without having to attend on a night away from routine. The first group to be shown on Friday will be Nos. 1-90 and on Saturday Nos. 91-180 will take their turn. Every 6d paid for admission at day or night performances will entitle a person to one vote, which he may record from the numbers (which the babies are known by only) accompanying the pictures. Votes need not be recorded only in the theatre, but must be made on coupons provided, and these are obtainable at depots in various parts of the city in the ratio of 6d a vote.