ORAL HISTORY. DALE NICHOLSON [NEE AUSTEN]

Dale Nicholson [nee Austen] talks about her foray into the world of film after winning the Miss Otago and Miss New Zealand competitions in 1927.
Discusses aspects of her life including school, family, religion, the beauty contests and the trip to Hollywood as part of the Miss New Zealand prize.
Discusses her involvement in Hollywood movies, actors and her return to New Zealand after a six month stay in America. Describes her involement in The Bushranger (1928), a Hollywood film in which she starred.
Discusses the contract she was offered by Mr Mayer to stay at MGM. He also warned her to look out for the sheiks – “they will use you and cast you aside.”
Describes her roles in the BUSH CINDERELLA (1928) and the Community Comedy DAUGHTER OF DUNEDIN (1928).
Talks about Tony Bennett, the male lead in Daughter of Dunedin. He was a medical student and a very handsome Maori man. Because of his skin colour he “photographed dark” and lighting was a problem. Describes various make-up tests to tone him down, in the final version “he didn’t look dark”. Was the son of Bishop Bennett.
Talks about Rudall and Hilda Hayward. Describes Hilda as “a power of strength behind the scenes” and suggests Rudall’s early career would not have been so successful without her input.
Describes the differences between making a film in Hollywood and NZ. In Hollywood thousands of people were “employed to achieve the same results.” Rudall did everything.

Ends abruptly.
Recorded 07/08/1994