MAORI FILM COMING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 840, 7 December 1929, Page 19

MAORI FILM COMING

“UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS” The* next big attraction at the Majestic Theatre is the Maori film “Under the Southern Cross,” which introduces the two Maori actors, Witarina Mitchell and Patiti War brick. Patiti Warbrick, who plays the hero in Universal’s Maori film “Under the l Southern Cross,” is a fine upstandingtype of the Maori race. As is suggested by his surname, there is a strain of European blood in him. This, however, goes far back, some three generations ago, his great-grandfather being an English early settler, who married a Maori woman. Patiti’s father is a well-known personage in New Zealand, being one of the officials of the Government Tourist Department. Warbrick is well educated, having been through college, and speaks perfect English. In fact, his control of the language and his accent would put many an educated European to shame. He is an exceptional athlete, and held the wrestling championship for the Bay of Plenty district.

During the filming of “Under the Southern Cross” he proved a valuable assistant to Director Lew Collins in the handling of Maoris whose limited knowledge of English prevented them from grasping the full significance of what they were required to do.