MR COLIN TAPLEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23691, 24 December 1938, Page 8

MR COLIN TAPLEY

SIX YEARS AT HOLLYWOOD PREFERENCE FOR COMEDY PARTS HOLIDAY VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Dec. 23. Still an enthusiastic New Zealander in spite of his six years in Hollywood, Mr Colin Tapley arrived by the Monterey on a brief visit to the Dominion to see the members of his family and friends. Very much more modest about his achievements in the film world than the actor of tradition, Mr Tapley

has nevertheless been kept so busy that he has had no opportunity hitherto to make the trip to New Zealand. Mr Tapley has bought a small " ranch" in San Fernando Valley, near Hollywood, and spends most of his time there when not at the studios. He has several horses, one of which he is training for competition. He has come thoroughly to enjoy life in the film capital. Still unmarried, he declares that he has not developed the reputed Hollywood attitude to marriage and divorce. Before leaving Hollywood Mr Tapley played a good part in "Storm Over Bengal" for the Republic and will start work in u North-west Passage" for the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios on his return. He has now appeared in about 60 pictures.? " I do not aspire to leading roles." Mr Tapley said. "I want to do comedy parts of the Roland Young type. They are easier and entail less strain, and they give one a longer life in the pictures. Leading men are in a constant state of worry over something or other, and their film life is only seven years on the average." Mr Tapley maintains that whatever else he has achieved he has at least been a good publicity agent for New Zealand. "I have talked New Zealand at every opportunity," he said. "Scarcely anybody I know has not had New Zealand rammed down their throats, and many people in Hollywood are just waiting an opportunity to visit the Dominion. My best friends there, Fred MacMurray and his wife, will definitely be making a trip to this country shortly." Mr Tapley left to-day for Dunedin, where he plans to spend a quiet holiday. He will leave on his return to Hollywood in February.