PRIZE ESSAY THAT WON GRAND TOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17835, 1 May 1926, Page 20 (Supplement)

PRIZE ESSAY THAT WON GRAND TOUR.

PARAMOUNT TOUR GOES TO AUSTRALIAN

The Famous-Lasky Film Service has for warded to the “ Star ” a copy of the essay that was adjudged the winner of the grand tour of Australia or New Zealand given in connection with Paramount Pictures.

The three judges were the Rev S. H. Cox, of the Bourke Street Congregational Church, Sydney, and Messrs W . J. Howe, president of the Federated Motion Picture Showmen’s Association, and Martin Brennan, editor of “ Everyone's.” Mr Ryan’s essay, submitted to Paramount Pictures through the “Newcastle Herald.,” was as follows: — “ WHAT THE MOTION-PICTURE "MEANS TQ OUR COMMUNITY.” The motiorfpicture is almost an essential of modern civilisation. From a mental viewpoint, it is the means of educating thousands. It enlarges their outlook, gives them an insight into the lives of other people and nations. It breeds tolerance and charity. It shows us Nature, makes us lovers of* man, beast and bird. People unable to read see the world's news unfolded before their eyes, and are well-informed. Who shall estimate the physical value, of the motion-picture to the community? If laughter is the best medicine, it is difficult to calculate in money, its worth, as no heartier mirth is heard anywhere than in picture shows. With some films the enforced quietness and rest are the best sedatives in these days of bustle and “ nerves.” The harassed business man. the tired housewife, the weary artisan, get the relaxation they crave. This conserved energy is invaluable to the community. Socially the motion-picture is the greatest modern invention. Rich and poor, high and low, meet on comm >n ground. This intermingling breaks down social barriers, engenders better understanding. It is a League of Nations ill itself and a power for world peace. On the economic side the motion-pic-ture employs thousands, from the greatest artists to the lowliest tradesmen. It displaces none, but creates several jobs where there was one. The motion-picture holds the family together. It appeals to fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and at no other entertainment do we see so many family parties. CANTERBURY ESSAY. The following is the essay selected by the editor of the “Star” for the special prize of a gramophone, given for Canterbury competitors. This essay Mr W. 11. P. M’Kenzie, of Christ-

uuuuiuiuimmuumumwuuiuummiiuuuiumuuuuuuumumHwiuHwm church, was forwarded, ' with two others, to the Sydney judges. WHAT THE MOTION-PICTURE MEANS TO OUR COMMUNITY. Escape, adventure, knowledge, laughter, these, at least. For so many, the motion picture provides quick and happy escape—escape from unequal struggle against circumstances that cramp and fetter. Our bodies may be captive, but our imagination is freed at the first lowering of the lights, and for a few vivid hours we no longer exist, we live. The screen,' to-day, is our magic carpet. With it, we traverse Arctic snows, search the bottom of the deep, round up cattle and crooks in the wild and woolly west. We may live in commonplace ruts by day; at nights w r e can find the Golden Fleece. Ordinary life, however, may be adventurous enough, and still we turn to the motion picture for knowledge and understanding, for clearer light upon the pages of history and literature. It has opened windows upon scenes of other times, other manners, other countries. It has widened our horizons, and because our world to-day, all races, all colours, look in upon the same pictures, we are coming to know each other better. The motion picture is making humanity one family. Greatest gift of all, it gives us back our laughter. These post-war years are xno uuo 9.w ji -pt? Joj ijnojyip laughter, there is hope. So Charlie ( 'haplin serves mankind better than Henry Ford. But what, if after all, the of the imagination should prove to be the real life? In that event, how many adequately recognise what the motion picture does mean to the community? FILM PERSONALS. Reported that Florence A ider is to be elevated to stardom *by Paramount. Florence, is one of the best .actresses on the screen. & :* & An American paper announces the divorce of Adolph Menjou. In his evidence, the star stated that, since his recent elevation to stellar heights, his wife had interfered too much with his business, in some cases creating a. good deal of damage to his reputation by her unseemly scenes. Cupid has been busy at the Cecil B. de Mille studio, where, under the direction of this famous producer, William Boyd and Elinor Fair have been playing the leading parts in “ The Volga Boatman.” Immediately they had finished work on the picture Bo\ r d and Miss Fair disappeared to Santa Ana, were married, and told their friends—afterwards. S SS 2? Elliott Dexter, long a noted leading man and star pf the screen in his own right, was chosen from among many to play opposite Mary Philbin in her greatest vehicle since “Merry Go Round.” This is “ Stella Maris,” Universal’s adaptation of William J. Locke’s famous novel. Dexter made

I!lll!l!!!{||l!lfllill!lllllllllllllllinilli!!illlll(llllllillf|||||(||(tl(lllllllllilllllliill!lllllillllll notable hits in “ The Affairs of Anatol,” “Forever,” “The Common Law,” and other features. According to a recent announcement made by Norma Talmadge, both she and her sister, Constance, will retire from active participation in motionpicture production at the end of this year, when their present contracts will have expired. Both actresses have spent several years in the movies, have amassed wealthy husbands and per- | sonal fortunes, and are said to be feel- ; ing the effects of their strenuous work. 5$ 55 I May Allison, star in the Universal I production “ Wreckage,” which will be i screened at the Grand Theatre next f week, left Georgia as a young girl to study for grand opera. She sang her j: way into musical comedy instead, then played half a dozen stage roles, and finally was persuaded to take a screen test. “ Opera stars get fat,” sa.d Miss Allison recently, “ and it isn't a case of sour grapes. I'm glad I'm not fat j and I’m glad I’m not in opera.” | . k j Douglas Gilmore, who has been under ! contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for I the past few months and, showed great • ability in the roles he was given in such successes as “ Sally, Irene and Alary,” and “ Dance Madness,” has renewe dhis contract with Afetro-Gold-wvn-Mayer. Gilmore came to the screen after several years in various ) productions on the stage. His last ( | and best part was in the popular success, “White Cargo.” During the run j at Los Angeles he became interested fin the screen and after a test was ■ given a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. As “ Nestor ” in “ Sally, Irene and Alary,” and as Bud in “ Dance Aladness,” Gilmore gave subtle and entertaining performances that promise him a great future on the silver screen. i *■: « « If Taylor Graves had not joined the army during the recent war the screen would probably'- have missed out on a fine young actor. Graves had been doing so well on the legitimate stage that motion pictures never entered his head. Then the war came and Graves joined up. He was stationed in California and saw a great deal of the moving picture people at-work and decided when he got out of the service to give pictures a try, with the result that he is now playing one of the important roles in First National's- btg steel special, “ Men of Steel,” which is a starring vehicle for Milton Sills. Graves ' broke into motion pictures in a picture with Sills. It was “ Aliss Lulu Betts ” in which Sills and Lois Wilson were co-featured. The following message from Hollywood, dated Match IG, appeared in the San Francisco “Chronicle.” Apparently Rudolph Valentino, world’s champion sheik of the silver sheet, would rather have 50;000 dollars than the love of such a twinkler as Pola Negri. Pola has been telling the world in general and moviedom in particular that she and Rudy intend to step up to the altar one of these fine days and thereby become man and wife. “ This talk about me marrying Charlie Chaplin and others is sauce of the apple,” she has -stated. “ Rudolph is my love.” But Rudy has something to say about Pola's matrimonial plans. His plans aren’t at all like hers. When Rudy was in Paris he and his friend, S. Manuel Reachi, made a little wager. Reachi believed, when Afrs Valentino and Rudy were divorced, that the sheik would tumble again and heed the call of the wily Daniel Cupid. “ I’ll bet you I won't marry again—at least* not for some time,” Valentino announced. “ Bet you do,” retorted Manuel. “ Here’s 50.000 dollars on rt,” declared Rudy, writing out a cheque for that amount. “ TIT bet that J won’t marry before 1930.” “I'll call that.” That from Afanuel. So here is th.e statement issued today by Valentino: “ If Pola and I should marry I would be out 50,000 dollars—therefore, our marriage is impossible.” In announcing that Mabel Normand was coming back to the screen in a two-reel comedy, an American paper says : —Back of the simple announcement is a tale of abiding faith that never has had its equal in the screen colony. Mabel Normand, as one writer put it, “ made the ruts in which all the other comediennes travel.” Her perception and conception of picturemaking exceeded that of any other actress in comedy roles. She amazed directors with her proposals and- suggestions. Her little two-reelers filmed at the Sennett studio made millions laugh. Then misfortunes began coming. She happened to be at the apartment of William Desmond Taylor the night before he was shot, but left. She happened to be in the room with Edna Purviance when her. chauffeur shot a Denver clubman. She happened to be recuperating in a hospital from a nervous breakdown when a woman whose husband had an adjacent room, sued for divorce nd named her as co-respondent. Producers feared to star her in pictures and her name was taken from the board. But it was not erased in film circles. It was the kindly hand- of Mary Bickford extended to Mabel, that re-op-ened the doors for the erratic, storm- ■ tossed, heart-sore girl, it has become . known.