MR J. L. LASKY’S PROPHECY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1928, Page 3

MR J. L. LASKY’S PROPHECY

TALKING FILMS IN NEXT TWO YEARS. LONDON), June 5. Mr Jesse L. Husky, one of the four most famous American film magnates, speaking at a luncheon in London yesterday, prophesied the advent of the talking film in all cinemas within the next two years. B.v i-.at time, lie anticipates, the apparatus necessary for sound reproduction will have been installed in all halls. But none of these talking films, he says, will he straight theatrical plays merely translated into celluloid.

Tn his opinion, there will he an increase in the use of sound for news reels, and a genera I use of the sound device for synchronised orchestral accompaniments with every picture, coming out of its tin, a complete entertainment in itself, with the music an integral part of the picture. Mr Lesley's concern. Famous PlayersLaskv Co., intends in the near future to produce such films with synchronised musical accompaniment and with “effects” and noises.

Further to these two now types of film, Mr Lesley predicts confidently a revolution in the film-drama as wo know it to-day. 'ln his opinion the “silent drama of the future will be no longer silent, ft will Ik; a film in which the essential dialogue, now printed on the- screen in sub-titles, will lie uttered by the sound device. LANGUAGE, BARRIER.

That there were many obstacles facing the talking film he readily admitted. The principal one is the language difficulty. But his firm is going ahead with talking pictures for the English-speak-ing world, while continuing to prepare the same films with printed subtitles. as at present, for non-English-speaking countries. Mr Lasky, in announcing the advent of talking films, said: “The silent film lias already reached the utmost development of which it is capable.’’ This surprising and highly debatable statement he afterwards amended h.v saying that the limits of interest and attraction of the present output of films have already been reached.

He implied that it was a tear that the public might <ea.-'e to he as keenly interested in films as they now are that had influenced the big American companies in taking their decision, now almost unanimous to add sound in some form or another to the pictures.