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Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1929, Page 4

The popularity of motion pictures promises, from all accounts, to take a fresh lease of life with the steady improvement of the sound or ta.king pictures.. These are now being perfected to such an extent that they giro promise of greater things than ever from the enjoyment of motion pictures. The spoken picture is going to bring many important Happenings in the world very close to all of us, and the intimacy of the spoken word in relation to the figure and movement of the speaker, is going to have a marked effect on auditors The educational value of the motion picture in that aspect is qnly in its infancy, but it is a remarkably promising infant. Short as the time is. since tfie speaking picture began to take presentation form, great strides are being made with the productions. Many notables have been seen and heard per medium of the •■‘Talkies,” and the effect on those witnessing the presentation seems to be very alluring. Accounts from Sydney and other large centres where the class of picture referred to is established, go to show that with the changing programmes and new faces and voices introduced, the public interest is unabated and the patronage is generally overflowing. So far as the mere entertaining is concerned with vocal and instrumental music, as well as the presentation of farce, comedy and drama, there are great possibilities to be reached with the talking performers. It is only a- matter of time when the great artists of the world will not only be seen but also heard per medium of the talking and sound pictures ail round the world. The educational value of this contribution to general knowledge is going to ho limitless. The great orators of the world, the eminent scientists, politicians, and clergy (to indicate some of the professions) will lie heard, and their message carried far and wide. The vogue of the pictures must therefore be ever expanding, and it is not surprising to find all the centres coming into line, and the sound pictures being established. Just what effect all this will have on travelling combinations on the legitmate stage, remains to be seen. It is a fact that the average picture orchestra in the cities is being dispensed with at many theatres. Companies which go on tour will require to oe of a high standard in ability and •production to retain their hold and favour with the public. As the talking picture becomes cheaper for production and presentation, the danger to the organised company is the greater. The public! however, may be sure of its full share of entertainment however far the rivalry may go, for it is clear that the producers of sound pictures are out to excel in the fare provided for general entertainment.