HOLLYWOOD REVUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 2

HOLLYWOOD REVUE

THE SYDNEY CONTROVERSY LEADING LADY IN AUCKLAND The controversy that raged in Sydney concerning the protest which was made about the costuming of some of the girls in the Hollywood Hotel Revue, which was in Auckland several months ago. was followed by rumours of dissension among the company. These rumours were heightened when the leading lady. Joan Abbott left Sydney by the Aorangi en route to her home town. New York. Many of the passengers were curious but Miss Abbott kept much to herself. “There is really no mystery about it," said Miss Abbott, when interviewed .on the arrival of the ship at Auckland on Mondav morning. "There has been- no dissension, and the girls are having a wonderful time in Sydney. I am on my rivav to. Hollywood to play lead in a picture for Warner Bros, and will return later to Australia to play in the Hollywood Revue, or. if that company has left in another that will take its place." Miss Abbott said she could not understand the reason for the attacks that had been made oh the company at Sydney The girls had been asked to assist a charity and they appeared in Martin place in shorts “ They were rather short.” she added with a smile “There was a good deal of traffic congestion. and the girls did good business for the charity, but they were rather annoved at the criticism they received from some of the women. Describing the scene at the theatre when the “censored" costumes were worn. Miss Abbott said that this was Sydney’s best joke, although the girls in the show, when attending private social functions, were annoyed at being referred to as " those censored girls.” The press had taken sides on this issue, and one paper had greatly amused the company by asking whether Australians were more nar-row-minded than New Zealanders, quoting how-Auckland had been able to “take it.” Discussing her own plans. Miss Abbott said that she had already ojaved in a “short." entitled “Script Girl, which had won her an Academy award She started stage work at the age of 16 in “George White’s Scandals.” and before joining the present company was in the Ziegfeld Follies Now she is going home to New York to pav a surprise visit to her parents, who have telephoned her once a week, since she has been away—at a cost of £ls each time.