STUDIO CHATTER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 32, 2 October 1946, Page 7

STUDIO CHATTER

20th ANNIVERSARY OF SOUND ‘THRILL OF A ROMANCE” August 6 marked the 20th. anniversary of talking pictures. On August 6, 1926, Warner Bros, and Vitaphone, by arrangement with Western Electric and Bell Laboratories presented the world-pre-miere of “Don Juan” with a Vitauhone,. (sound-on-disc) score and a programme of Vitaphone shorts. But it was not till October 6, 1927, that the ‘climax’ of the talkie industry was really reached. On that date, “The Jazz Singei’,” starring A 1 Jolson, opened in New York. This was made partly silent with a synchronised score. Singing sequences were recorded directly by Vitaphone, and there was one magnificent line

of dialogue (ad libbed by Jolson into an off-set microphone). He said: “Come on Ma, listen to this.” This picture is credited with being the first feature with dialogue, and it convinced film industry leaders that sound motion pictures were here to stay. On July 6, 1928, “Lights Of New

York” opened as the first 100 per cent, ‘all-talker’ at the Strand Theatre. Despite George Jean Nathan’s (the eminent Morning Telegraph critic) assertion that ‘To ask the moviegoer to use his ears as well as his eyes is asking the impossible,’ the film was a huge success. “Speaking movies will never be shown” (James M. Cain, whose novel “Double Indemnity” was later filmed very successfully in sound, and the author of “Mildred Pearce,” which is on the production list now at Warners). ■ ‘Talkies are spoiling the oldest art in the world, the art of pantomime. They are ruining the great beauty of silence” (Charlie Chaplin, whose film “The Great Dictator” few critics objected to on the grounds that it contained sound). “The introduction of speech is suicide for the movie” (eminent critic Gilbert Seldes).

These are just a few of the opinions expressed in 1926. There were ‘others, of course; men such as SamWarner, Lee de Forest, Will H. Hays and many more who thought otherwise, and whose judgment was, as always, sound.

But in the light of the latest developments in moving pictures, these observations are particularly interesting. REGENT “Thrill Of A Romance” (Sat. 12, Mon. 14, Tues. 15, Wed. 16). Music, laughter and spectacle are highlights of the new M.G.M. production, “Thrill Of A Romance,” which stars Van Johnson and Esther Wil-

liams (remember her in “Bathing Beauty”?) in the leading roles. In support also, is Lauritz Melchior, the iworld renowned operatic tenor, making his first screen appearance. The show is built round a good, entertaining story, and is particularly recommended to all patrons. “The Valley of Decision” is listed on the October calendar. This is drama at its best, and needs no recommendation—ask anyone who has been lucky enough to obtain a copy of the book!