Colin Tapley Purchases San Fernando Ranch

Northland Age, Volume 6, Issue 2, 9 October 1936, Page 4

Colin Tapley Purchases San Fernando Ranch

Of interest to New Zealanders is the news which comes from Hollywood that Colin Tapley of Dunedin, who has been under contract with the Paramount studios for the past three years, has joined the “back to the soil” movement and purchased a farm in the San Fernando valley, not many miles from the film capital. Tapley, you will remember, won the New Zealand section for males, in Paramount’s International Search for Beauty Contest, and since going to Hollywood he has made very definite progress at the Paramount studios, giving every indication that he will become a talented player. His farm venture, of course, is quite apart from studio activity and will give him a good opportunity to enjoy the open air life, so important to the health of a motion picture star. Unfortunately, the news received did not contain very much detail regarding the farm itself, but we are advised that a charming colonial house very satisfactorily houses Colin and his two servants. Long rows of walnut trees and a flower and vegetable garden, are other features. Chickens, ducks, dogs and horses are also catered for and Colin has plans to acquire additional numbers of each as soon as possible.

This “back to the soil” movement is proving very popular in California just now and among the other actors who have purchased ranches, homes or farms in the San Fernando valley are Charlie Ruggles, Edward Everett Horton, Lewis Stone, Louise Fazenda, the Joel McCreas (that includes Frances Dee), Mary Brian and the Bing Crosbys (which includes Dixie Lee).