TALKIE FILMS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1929, Page 7

TALKIE FILMS

EARLY INSTALLATION PROMISED.

AUCKLAND, February 26

Definite arrangements for the installation of “talkie” films in NeW_Zenland picture houses have been completed by the Fuller-Hayward organisation. 'Twenty of the company’s theatres are to he fitted with the latest mechanism at a total cost of .€40,000.

Speaking of tiie innovation, Mr Henry Hayward, governing director of Fuller-TTayward’s, said that reverberations of the “ talkie ” revolution in the cinema industry had been heard throughout New Zealand in a practical form. The success of the “ talkies ” had been immediate and sustained in Australia, and his firm had taken the first opportunity of introducing this latest, novelty to New Zealand. The installations would he of two kinds. The first was generally called “ the movie-tone,” sound reproduction being made from the film itself by the aid of what was called a photo-film cell. The second form of sound reproduction was known as the “ vitaphono.” the sound being produced from a disc, as in the gramophone, and synchronised with the film. Installations would he made in the company’s theatres in Auckland, Hamilton, Gisborne, Napier. Wanganui, Wellington. Christelmrch, Nelson, Dunedin and Invercargill. Wei lington would probably pioneer the nmv form of entertainment, as tinmechanism there would probably be ready in a fortnight.

Mr Hayward added that the Fullerllavward organisation was spending the large sum of 0000,000 in bringing its Dominion theatres up to the most modern standards. The first of its new theatres was opened in Ashburton a fortnight ago, while the Nelson Majestic, costing £15*7,000, Would !><' opened on March 4. Also approaching completion was the Majestic in 1 imam. while a large now Wellington theatre, representing an expenditure of £170,000 for land and buildings, would he opened shortly after Easter. In Christchurch the new Majestic was to C ost £150,000. The building contract was begun a fortnight ago. Other new houses in course ol erection were at Onmaru and Grey Lynn.