TALKING FILMS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1929, Page 7

TALKING FILMS

VALUE OF POLITICS. DEV FLORA I ENTS . EX FELTED. SYXDF.Y, .January 31. Big developments are expected in Australia in the use of “talking films, the success of which seems to have been fairly established here. One line the development will take is political; the other is theatrical. .Just now thousands of people are thronging one of the city theatres to see and hear the King. The fiun lias been acclaimed as remarkable, demonstrating the enormous possibility of this latest innovation. Every word his AlajesLy says cun be heard with the utmost distinction even though the film was not taken under the favourable conditions which a studio would permit.

It is claimed that this i$ not the first time that his .Majesty’s voice has been heard in a -Sydney theatre synchronised with a movie, hi this connexion a,n amusing story is told. One of the lirst phonograph records made was one incorporation the King’s voice, and it had enormous sales throughout the world. A showman conceived the was one incorporating the King’s voice, synchronised with the record and a “talkie” was made it would prove a great attraction. The “Talkie”—primitive production—duly arrived in Sydney. It consisted of the picture— and t/io record. It created great enthusiasm. The theatre was crowded at all sessions. Then tragedy! The lad employed at the theatre broke the record. Quick thinking was .neccessary, for no other record was available. One of the executive then thought of a way out. An employee of the theatre learnt the speech, and as the film was screened his regal voice waited across .the auditorium. So, somewhere in Australia, there is a man who lias impersonated the King. However, all that is beside the point. Realising the, possibility of talking films, the Nationalist Party is already beginning to organise for their use at next General Election, the idea being that Air Bruce and other important ligurs in the Party should appear simultaneously in all parts of the Commonwealth—seen and heard. It is believed that the “Talkies” .constitute the most intimate and most powerful election propaganda, that can possibly be devised. It is believed that the arrangements have been so far advanced as the result of quiet negotiation that the Labour Party has been left behind. fn the theatrical world interested parties are already discussing whether they should combine “talkies” with vaudeville. Tt is said that most of the world’s celebrities have i made or are making, “talkies,” and Sydney people liave already had an opportunity of learning-how nearly perfect these productions can be. A “variety” programme in a vaudeville theatre, with some local and imported “flesh and blood” performers, plus the “talkies” with the world’s greatest who cannot cisit Australia personally, is the next development to be considered. From a wider point of view the Government is considering how soon it will he able to use the “talkies” to advertise Australia in other countries. Here is another opportunity for powerful propaganda. Already in Sydney French sheep have been heard bleating and American turkeys gobbling.