“UGLY AUSTRALIANS”

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 6454, 11 November 1927, Page 8

“UGLY AUSTRALIANS”

MERELY AMERICAN I’KOPA-

GANDA. TO DISCOURAGE AUSTRALIAN FILM INVESTMENTS. ’[By Electric Cable-Copyright.) fAust. and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Thursday 5.5 p.m) SYDNEY, Nov. 10. According to tho opinion of a prominent Australian film producer, Mr Dexter’s views on “ugly Australians” is part of American propaganda intended to discourage the people from investing money in Australian film ventures.

NEW ZEALAND’S BEAUTIES, [To tho Editor.] Sir, —As an American born, travelling in Now Zealand, I road with' surprise the cable regarding tho opinion of Mr Robert Dexter as to the beauty of Australian girls and tho neatness of her men, and I feel that I should raise my voice in protest of such remarks that cannot build tho good fellowship and brotherly feeling that wo are trying to foster between the two great nations that must stand together in future to maintain sanity, peace and health Upon this planet. While X have not yet visited that famous land, Australia is my next objective, and if antipodean beauty can be judged by the display here in this glorious country (doubly glorious when the sun shines), then Mr Dexter, tho film man w-ho thinks Australians “ugly,’’ surely must be badly off, fo r all through New Zealand I have remarked upon th c beauty of the girls. I feel that I am somewhat qualified to say that oven Hollywood with all its pulchritude is not all that it is said to bo, because I happened to spend 11 years in picture-making, shooting tests, publicity films, beauty contests and so forth, and have interviewed hundreds of stars and “near” stars. Enid Bennett, I believe, is a native of tho land of golden wattle, and her beauty is most exquisite on tho screen. I have heard much of Sydney's pretty women, and I think honestly that if a man wants notoriety lie should use other means than this chap has done. Perhaps he might fake a look at some of the girls over here! I have remarked that I'd like to produce a film with local talent, in such a gorgeous setting as the Wanganui or Waikato, or tiro big bush and lake lands of Rotorua. Mr Dexter please write! I am, etc. Pn 1 mors!on North, Kovober 10th, 1927. CLARKE IRVINE.