"MISS NEW ZEALAND"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 22 May 1928, Page 6

"MISS NEW ZEALAND"

RETURNS HOME KXPF.RIKNCFS IN KILM LAND "'*{■ Telegraph -fipac-iai to Ta 3 lLi.il 'i \rjOKJ.AND. 21.-1 M-.v-Entirelv unspoiled bv her adventures in America's filmland.' Miss Dale Austen, better known lo a host of movie "fans ' ns -.Miss New Zealand. 1927." returned to New Zealand on the Aorangi after an absence of live months. As the stalely motor ship came i" her anchorage in the si ream Miss Austen w.-i.i seen .-it Ihe head of lhe launch gangway waving lo friend* who had .Hone out lo Welcome her. "It has been a wonderful experience, bill I am glad to be back in dear ild New Zoal.-nd." Miss Austen told an interviewer. "The Melro-Goldwvn-Mayer film folk did more for me than was promised and evervonc was verv kiwi.;* Anion.' those who welcomed Miss Aii:-'-"i wcie Mr Henry Havward. end Mr Marry Marschel, New Zealand representative of Ihe Metro Gnldwyn-Maver Film Co. and his assistant Mr I'hil Maddox. Although she remained in I lie background throughout the undertaking, as every good journalist should. Mrs P. Vernon, who acted in tne capacity of chaperone and publicity agent, has play ed an important part in looking to t (.-- interests of .Miss New Zealand. Mrs Vernon was congratulated yesterday on tile excellence of her publicity work in connection with the trip io California. It- was largely due to her efforts llial New Zealand picture goers and the public were kepi informed of Miss Austen's doings in, Holly wo-il. Three of I In- live mouths \,,r which Miss Austen had been away were -pent in Hollywood, where she oblained a ten weeks' contract after an exhaustive series of tests. It is said that the test pictures cost £I.OOO. She played the part of the heroine's girl friend in "The Bushranger." a feature film, which was supervised by Mr Peg ("Snowy") Maker of athletic fame. The film is a story of Australian bush life with lots of exciting scenes, but Miss A list en had ;i drawing room pail and was not asked to ride bucking bronchos or anything like that. A brother of Mr "Snowy" Maker had ;i leading part in the film, which will be shown in. Auckland about

next September. Miss Austen says that, all the details will lie accurate and the Australian "atmosphere" will be true to life owing to the assistance and work of the Maker brothers. In addition to her work in "The Musbrangers," Miss Austen did what is known to movie folk in Hollywood .-is ".small bits" in other films. "She worked \o\y hard for (wo days in fne film," said Mrs Vernon, "yet when we saw the picture screened after the editing and cutting, Miss Austen was seen only momentarily now and again. She just flashed by. Of course the producers spare no expense and go to any amount of trouble to get exactly what they want, so thai much <A what is dune before the camera is never seen in the finished picture" Kilms in which Miss Austen had small parts were "Diamond Handcuffs," "The Actress," "The Loves of Louis." "Polly Preferred." and "Detectives.'' It is quite usual for film folk (o star! work at 7 a.m. and carry on through the day, working io a carefully planned schedule. On one exhausting occasion Miss Austen worked from 7 a.m. till 4 am., the next day. Miss Austen was astonished at Ihe rapidity with which the Americans worked, and the long hours were something of a surprise. Cinema, actors and actresses are paid large salaries, but Miss Austen is convinced thai they earn every penny they receive. Camera men get from C'lo to £SO a wee!--, the "trick shot" photographers commanding the larger salaries. Scenario writers are also well paid. .Miss Austen has returned io NewZealand to plav tin- leading part in a film to be called "The Mush Cinderella."