POSITIONS IN HOLLYWOOD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 11 (Supplement)

POSITIONS IN HOLLYWOOD

BRITISH PLAYERS' AVERSION That British actors and actresses are afraid of going to Hollywood is the conclusion reached by Miss Lillie Messinger, whose task is to seek promising players for RKO. Jn every other country everybody wants to go to Hollywood. Jn America the aspirant community extends to all walks of life. A lawyer of international reputation is among those who have besought Miss MesBinger in New York to give him a test. But this is not so in Great Britain. Miss Messinger goes to every theatre first night, and sees every picture shown here. Anyone who appears to her to have screen possibilities is interviewed, and the most likely of these given a test. Nor does she neglect.the unknown. She takes no chances and interminable trouble. But the players in whom she recognises most promise and—from Hollywood's point of view—least risk are reluctant. Miss Messinger saw Dorothy Hyson in " Touch Wood " at the Haymarket, foi instance, and decided that she showed outstanding talent. But Miss Hyson sail! she won hi rather "consolidate her position " for a couple of years, and then think about Hollywood. Asked to what she attributed this aversion from California, she said stories of two kinds—the failure stories that are repeated by those returned from Hollywood who have had no luck; and, in another professional sphere, a desire to " approve the story " of the picture in which a player is to appear. Hollywood feels that they should bow to the judgment of experts.