HOLLYWOOD’S PANIC

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1928, Page 3

HOLLYWOOD’S PANIC

SPEECH TO COUNT NOW. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, Sept. 2'7. Cinema kings, theatrical magnates, authors, variety artists, and musicians are discussing the first “Talkies” exhibition in London, consisting of a whole -evening’s entertainment, all of which’ was mechanical. The films were accompanied by dialogues and songs, and even by orchestral accompaniments. - According to the “Evening News,” all are puzzled concerning the effect of the “Talkies” upon the incalculable, public, and refuse to predict the extent to which the novelty will catch on. Thousands of cinema owners in England are awaiting a lead from the Exhibitors’ Association, whose Secretary expresses the opinion that there is no fear that “Talkies” will completely drive out the silent drama. Nevertheless the exhibitors are disposed to wait and see the public’s attitude before spending the £4OOO necessary ’to instal the “Talkies” mechanism. They also refuse again to deliver themselves into American hands, as no English “Talkies” are at present available. Five to six hundred musical artistare earning their living interspersing with films. * The cinema halls are afraid that the “Talkies” will prejudice tlieir future. The musicians are not panicky. They •loint out that the advent of gramophones aiid of broadcasting were both accompanied by predictions of the dis appearance of orchestras. They admit that the “Talkies” are a menace t' the orchestras consisting of'a pianr and a violin in the small cinema halls. The dramatist, Mr Frederick Lonsdale, is convinced, that the “Talkies” are the greatest discovery that the entertainment business lias ever made He says: “Although the theatriea 1 stars appearing at the films need not fear appearing in the “Talkies.” many purely film actors will find their pretty profile and tlieir shapely legs no longer will atone for the “Bowery” accent and for an unreproducablc voice, resulting in the upsetting of tin scale of cinema values at which ITollv wood is panic-stricken.” He that the “Talkies” will become one of the greatest of England’s industries.