SEARCH TO BE MADE FOR SCREEN STAR IN DOMINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18057, 18 January 1927, Page 7

SEARCH TO BE MADE FOR SCREEN STAR IN DOMINION.

WILL BE GIVEN PART IN HOLLYWOOD DRAMA. P With the laudable object in view ot giving New Zealand an opportunity of competing in the world-wide popularity of the motion picture art, as represented by the purely artistic aspect, First National Pictures (Australasia) are now launching a. campaign throughout New Zealand and Australia in search of what they belfeve to be the girl who is possessed ci the beauty, personality and abilities of the screen star, and, in sending her to Hollywood, thus placing before the eyes of the stage world the names of these dominions. That there is here a potential Mary Pickford or Gloria Swanson is not to be doubted, and it is but seemly that gifted and comely young women should come forward and offer themselves as candidates. First National /Pictures (Australasia) have entered into an agreement with the Crystal Palace Theatre, Christchurch, to invite all aspirants to report at that theatre to fill in the competition form and learn more exhaustivelv the terms of the competition. The girl selected for Hollywood is to receive r ten-weeks’ contract with Cecil B. de Mill®, the producer-director of “The Ten Commandments” and “The Volga Boatman,” to appear in a leading part in at least one production, aid, providing she reveals the talent, she v/ill if so desirous, be offered a long contract. Her salary for the ten-weeks’ contract will be £2O per week, and all her expenses and those of her chaperon to and from America, will be paid by the company. One girl will be selected from New Zealand and one from each State in the Commonwealth, the final adjudicating to take place at the Green Mill Palais, Melbourne, during the week commencing March 20, 1927. Passages have been tentatively booked by the s.s. Sonoma, and, if the winner cannot b» ready by that date, they will be changed to the s.s Ventura, sailing from Sydney on April 30. If the winner is a New Zealand girl, she will sail direct from the Dominion. The committee to judge the finalists will comprise representatives of First National Pictures and the Press, an arlist a doctor and a professional photographer It. is to be understood that the derision of the casting directors Is to be accepted by the candidates as final. Further particulars may he obtained from the manager of the Crystal Palace Theatre, where the entry form y. to be filled in. Entries close on