BETTER TALKIES

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1932, Page 3

BETTER TALKIES

SOME RECENT IMPROVEMENTS,

BETTER VOICE INTONATION

WELLINGTON, May 17.

Improvements in “talkies” in. the near future are forecast by Mr J. H., Barker, jun., managing director, West, era Electric Company (Australia and New Zealand), Ltd., who arrived.!by the Maungnnui from Sydney. Mr Barker, discussing the latest developments in “talkies,” soid that much progress had been made already, and to-day an advance was apparent on the of a year ago. a result of developments from . the company’s laboratory in New York City, there should be as great an improvement as was noticed! some time ago between the old fashioned phonograph a.nd the modern one. . : The object of the improvements, said Mr Barker, was to enable different voices to he distinguished by the eai aloine. When voices were heard on tlie stage, the ear could catch the characteristics .of, sav, two men’s voices, and the audience could distinguish between them without looking to see who was speaking, whereas on the screen the moving, lips told the audience who was speaking. Discussing coloured pictures, MiBarker pointed out that the cost of their production was very 'fcigh. If any extra expense were dejvoted tc securing a . good “star” and a good •story the resultant black and white picture would probably be a better entertainment than an inferior coloured one. It had been shown,' however, that coloured pictures could have n place. „o The present vogue in “talkies” seemed to he for the diverting ant 1 cleverly-written comedy-drama, and it this respect English writers won-. very successful. Western Elect vi' studios in London were recording Rri tisih pictures with success. Tliauthors, cast, and settings were Bri tish. Some very good British prod”tions should he distributed soon. They should have high technical oxcellencr from the point of sound recording, an' should he a. success in other bi-anche-of the art.