LADY OF THE NIGHT " AT CIVIC TO-MORROW

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18947, 18 December 1929, Page 7

LADY OF THE NIGHT " AT CIVIC TO-MORROW

Lupe Velez may well be considered one of the next great stars. For sheer personality and lire no' other screen figure of recent years is like this .young Mexican actress who plays iii D. W. Griffith s new production, “Lady of the Night, ’ which opens at the Civic tomorrow.

. „H iss elez * a Wampass Baby Star for 1928, was born near Mexico, City, eighteen years ago and early in life show- 1 ed an aptitude for dancing. Her first stage appearance was in a church festival at the capital city where she did a number of folk dances so effectively that she was engaged by a professional theatrical company as ballerina. She was in Monterey with the Mexican musical comedy, “Ha-ta-plan,” when her vivacious, talents were brought to the attention of Mr and Mrs Frank Woodyard, who placed her under their personal contract and brought her to Hollywood.

Hal Roach, the comedy maker, was the first producer to see possibilities in the girl. After a few appearances in Roach comedies, Douglas Fairbanks, who was looking for a madcap type to play opposite him in “The Gaueho,” gave Miss Velez her first screen test for a dramatic role. It is said that Fairbanks was so impressed with her then that he signed her to play the part before the tests were developed. As a result of her work in "The Gauc.ho,” Miss Velex, although only two months in the country, was placed in the enviable position of being in constant demand by producers. She went to the De Mille Studio and played opposite Rod la Rocque in “Stand and Deliver.” At the conclusion of that picture, Joseph M. Schenck, head of United Artists Placed her under a five-year contract to his organisation. Miss Velez thus joins such noted stars as Charles Chaplin Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, John Barrymore, Norma and Constance Talmadge, Ronald Colman, Vilma Banky, Dolores Del Rio and Buster Keaton, in producing screen plaj’s for release through United Artists Miss Velez has lived in San Antonio' Texas, and was educated at the Convent of Our Lady of the Lake in that city Her selection by the Wampas as a BabV Star is in recognition of the work she has already done and will do. There is an excellent supporting programme of talking, singing and dancing subiects including a gorgeous technicolour production. “The Virgin Queen.”