OPENINGS IN HOLLYWOOD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 14 (Supplement)

OPENINGS IN HOLLYWOOD

L WELL-KNO\VN ACTOR'S ADVICE BRIEF NEW ZEALAND VISIT No one "who had not undergone thorough screen tests successfully and had some theatrical experience should go to Hollywood with any expectation of doing well, in the opinion of Mr. John Halliday, well-known Paramount actor, who, with his wife and small son, spent a short holiday in the Dominion recently. . Just as in'any other profession, there was always a place for anyone who really excelled, .but there was no opening for mediocre players. Competition was keen, and each person had to be a specialist in his own particular sphere to succeed. To secure the exact person to fill a part, fabulous prices would be paid, but tile ordinary player had to fight for his position against crowds of would-be film stars, many with considerable talent, who flocked to Hollywood from every town in the United States. Hollywood could be one of the best places on earth, but at the same time it could be very cruel and brutal, and he would not advise any young actor or actress to go to Hollywood without a reliable indication of their suitability for screen work. Mr. Halliday spoke favourably of the progress being made by the young New Zealand actor, Colin Tapley. _ His achievements had not been sensational, he said, but he was doing quite well. He was well thought of, and was popular in the film colony. His career was

still ahead of him, and his future success depended largely on himself. "The Melody Lingers On," which has just been shown at the Rsgcnt Theatre, is the latest picture in which Mr. Halliday has been «een locally. Other films in which he will shortly be seen are "Peter Ibbetson" and "Desire," in •which he and Marlene Dietrich appear as international thieves. In this and several other of his pictures he has acted with Gary Cooper, for whom he has a very high regard. His favourite role was as the hypnotist in "The Witching Hour." He plans to spend a brief holiday at Honolulu,

and will then- return to Hollywood to take part in the film version of Kipling's "The Light That Failed." His Hollywood home is at Santa Monica, 20 iniles from '"the studios. Mr Halliday greatly enjoyed his visit to New Zealand. Owing to the brief period at his disposal, he was able te see only the North Island, but he was greatly impressed with what he tsaw, and hopes to return to the Dominion next year on a more extended tour.