HARD-WON SUCCESS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1927, Page 13

HARD-WON SUCCESS

MISS NOLA LUXFORD. The story of the success of a Hawke’s Bay girl on the rocky road to fame in the over-crowded procession of moviedom in United States of America is recalled by the recent announcement of the marriage of Miss Nola Luxford, daughter of Mrs. Agnes Adelaide Pratt, of Hastings, to Mr. William Bauernschmidt, of Baltimore. The bride, who was formerly Miss Nola Pratt, of Hastings, was educated at Wanganui College, and enjoys the distinction of being the only New Zealand girl ever to win an established fame on the silver sheet. Years ago she was well-known in Hastings as a first-class amateur, and, fired with the spirit of ambition to succeed on the films she left later for Hollywood. Here no meteoric rise such as makes a glowing fiction tale greeted her efforts. She had to work hard for results. The film industry in Hollywood is notoriously overcrowded, and Nola found it hard to join the select band of celebrities whose names appear in blazing headlights at the entrance to theatres. vSlie persevered, however. She studied the technique of acting before the camera, and she worked long hours in the sets. And in time success came to her, but Nola Luxford can never claim that she was discovered. She rose to the first flight only by two years’ graduating through the ranks of "extras,” “supers,” and "minors.” Once having worked to the top, however, she stayed there, for she has appeared in many leading parts, particularly in Western films, showing histrionic ability that has made her a popular performer wherever she appears. She is still on the stage, her latest .picture being “Ladies, Beware!” HER RECENT ROMANCE. There are prospects, however, that t she may retire, lor about a year ago

she met William Beauernsehmidt when she was performing before the •camera, and from then on their romance developed, the recent wedding bringing a happy culmination. A garden was their wedding bower, for the happy pair were united in the spacious grounds of the beautiful home of the parents of the bridegroom, he being the son of a Wellknown capitalist in Baltimore. The ceremony was performed by the Rev John Charles Faulk, exchange professor at Harvard University. Now, it is . said, she may forsake the screen for the happiness of married bliss,., though she has yet to spend some more time in California in filling present contracts to which she is bound. Later she may go to ■ the east to complete her musical studies, for, in addition to being a brilliant actress, Nola Luxford is a talented pianiste. In private life in Hastings, Miss Luxford, who is a piquant brunette beauty, was always popular, and was a fine example of the modern type of sporting girl. She was an excellent tennis player and a good swimmer, while on a ballroom floor she was always a popular figure. Since going to Hollywood she has become an expert horsewoman, and now spends much time in riding.