NOTABLE FILM ACTRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 22

NOTABLE FILM ACTRESS

MISS POLLY MORAN LOSS OF MARIE DRESSLER "Auckland is lovely, lovelier than I thought it could be; blue water, green hills, perfect climate and charming people," said Miss Polly Moras, the well-known Hollywood comedienne, who passed through Auckland yesterday on the Mariposa, en route to Sydney. Informed that the "perfect climate" ofter rained, Miss Moran remained undaunted. "Rain," she exclaimed, "that is what I have come to Australia, and New Zealand for." New Zealand, she added, reminded her of England. In a scarlet beret, tangerine jumper and plaid skirt, with an Irish brogue speaking through the American, Miss Moran on her arrival yesterday proved that her talents for comedy were natural and spontaneous. In her own words, she "lived life with a zest for living." On arriving in Sydney Miss Moran intends spending a few days in the city before leaving for Melbourne, where she has been engaged to make a series of appearances in comic sketches at the Tivoli Theatre. Miss Moran said she had for years wanted to visit New Zealand and Australia. The "film world" was beginning to realise the possibilities of both countries as a field for motion pictures, and she thought in the not far-distant future films made in the countries would make Australia and New Zealand well known the world over. There was always a demand for something different and she considered that in the Dominion and Australia that difference would be discovered. Contract for Short Comedies

On her return to the United States after an absence of 10 weeks. Miss Moran is contemplating a contract for short comedies. She is, however, a devotee of the legitimate stage and is never eo: happy as when she is acting before a large audience. With films, she said, she missed the personal contact with her audience, an intangible feeling of what might be called comradeship. The humanness was lacking. Films made an actor or an actress a puppet, and it was especially difficult in a comedy role, where the actor depended so largely upon the human atmosphere and the temper of the audience. / When she acted on the films, Miss Moran said, she never knew when she was ploasing and when her audienco laughed. It was for that reason that she always liked to make a personal appearance at her first nights. " No Yachts in Harbour " In only one aspect was Miss Moran disappointed with her visit to Auckland. Ah earnest lover of the sea, she had hoped to see the harbour thickly dotted with yachts. She had heard that Auckland was a city of yachtlovers, and she hoped before she sailed to see them "in action." Miss Moran herself owns and sails a 44ft. cutter which she uses, on every available opportunity. Sailing, she _ said, was every day becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Miss Moran said that, in common with all Americans, she sadly missed her lata partner in comedy, Miss Marie Dressier, who was not only a great actress, comedienne and tragedienne, but also a splendid woman, who during her life had helped countless people with her charities and good work. She was an excellent cook and a truly home-loving woman, and there were many people and families in the United States who owed their present success and comfortable manner of living* to the assistance given them by Marie Dressier. „ The greatest burden of a film actor s or actress' life, Miss Moran considered, was what they termed fan mail. Secretaries were usually employed to attend to it, but the actor had a certain amount of, work to do in connection with it also. All intelligently written letters were answered, but a number, such as requests for money, for clothes, advice or opinions, had necessarily to be ignored. '