FILM METROPOLIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21250, 2 August 1932, Page 11

FILM METROPOLIS

FACTS ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ADVANTAGES OF LOCATION Hollywood, its Sim industry and its film personalities, formed the subject of an address by Dr. A. L. Lewis, of Hollywood, at the Auckland Rotary Club's luncheon yesterday. The president, Sir. T. U. Wells, presided. The selection of Hollywood as the centre for America's huge film industry was not due to chance, said the speaker, so much as to its acknowledged natural advantages —its abnormal amount of sunshine and its proximity to wonderful natural scenery on which the films depended for atmosphere and local colour. Thus Hollywood was only 15 minutes by motor-car from a great extent of coastline and magnificent ocean beach, two hours' distant from a desert, two hours from snow-clad mountains and three hours from immense forests. There was a widespread belief that pic-ture-making was Hollywood's only pursuit. The city was, however, a great cultural centre, situated close to several of the greatest universities in America, and containing 30 to 40 churches, as well as the famous Hollywood Bowl, the tremendous amphitheatre in which concerts and public performances of all kinds -were given. Dr. Lewis illustrated his remarks with many stories concerning well-known film personalities. Moving a hearty vote of thanks, Mr. H. Welsh made a plea for a better class of pictures, stressing the unsuitability of many American films for the New Zealand public. The motion was carried with acclamation.