NEW ZEALAND ACTRESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18975, 27 March 1936, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND ACTRESS

MISS ELAINE HAMILL SUCCESS IX AUSTRALIA (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Maiiv New Zealanders will be interested ui •the career of Miss Maine liamill, the younger daughter of Mr. and iMra.v.l. K. liamill, of I'aihape. Air. liamill is proprietor and editor of the Taihape Times. Miss iiamill is now in Sydney with one of the .1. <.'. Williamson companies, which in all probability will be seen in this country at an early (iate.

.Miss liamill was born in New Zealand, and after completing her education joined the nursing stall of the Napier 'itospital as a probationeV. After the idg earthepuake she was transferred to tiiu Dannevirke Hospital, and there completed her four years' term, passing the linal State examination with honours. She had an amazing escape from death when the earthquake laid the Napier Hospital in ruins. While at. the Dannevirke Hospital she interviewed Dame SyWl Thomdike, who, with her son, Mr. Christopher Caisson, was visiting Dannevirke. Dame riybii Thomdike, after a long and friendly chat, during which she stressed the great difficulties, that would have to be overcome, and the disappointments that would have to he suffered, advised .Miss liamill to write to Miss Doris Fitton, the director of a Repertory Society in Sydney. .Miss Fit ton's reply was encouraging and friendly. "DEFINITE TYPE FOR SCREEN"

Jn the meantime.. -Miss Hamill had entered the Paramount beauty coniust in New Zealand, and was runner-up for tlie North Island. She left for Sydney iit the end of January, 1934. Mx. George Cross, easting director of Cinesourid, was very encouraging, "She is a very definite type for the screen," he wrote, "and has every qualification needed to ensure her success as a screen star." She made good progress at the" Cinesound Academy, and subsequently played the leading part in "Sometimes liven Now, which was staged in Sydney by the students of the academy in aid of a charity fund organised by Lady Game. She entered for the .screen personality quest conducted by the Women's Australian .Weekly, in conjunction with the City of .Sydney lvisteddfod. There were two sections, men and women, and over 1000 entries in both sections. Miss Hamill won. and was presented with a cheque for £SO. Immediately after the. contest, Cinesound engaged Miss Hamill to piny a leading part in "Grandad I'.udd." Tn the meantime she was playing a minor part in "lUue Mountain .Melody," which ,(. C. Williamson. Limited, were then staging in Sydney. Her next success was in "The Shining Hour." in which she played the leading part of Marietta Lindon* for the Phillip Lewis Professional Repertory Society, Sydney. She was then engaged by J. C. Williamson. Limited, lo play the part of Sophie Teale in "Roberta," and played at Brisbane, Adelaide, and finally at 'Perth. At Perth she was called to Melbourne Ivy Williamson's to play the part of Mariolla Lindon in the "Shining Hour," and after this plav had been running for nearly a month. "Sixteen" was staged, in which Miss Hamill played the pan of Jennifer Lawrence. Cinesonnd called to Svdnev to plav a small part, "Tl flier woman." ' to Miss Helen Twelveir.es in "Thoroughbred." and Williamson's then recalled her to Mel bourne to plav the pari ol Olivia Grnyn* m "Night Mo.t Fall."