The “Talkies” Have Arrived

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 639, 16 April 1929, Page 14

The “Talkies” Have Arrived

“ fJ'AL.K lESI ES ” have arrived in Auckland. A tremendous change is taking place before our eyes! Sound pictures—that have captured the imagination of the public in other parts of the world—will now add another amazing chapter to the colourful history of the motion picture in New Zealand. Within two days “the talkies” will be introduced to the Regent arid Strand Theatres, with production on an ambitious scale. This is a milestone in the history of dramatic art. Before long, the dwellers in any hamlet on the earth’s surface may hear and see the exact reproduction of a play or an opera by the world’s greatest artists. And when television is added to telegraphy, telephony and radio (as is bound to happen), the future Bernhardt and Caruso will be able to play and sing within sight and hearing of the whole population of the world at one moment. At present “ the talkies ” are but an adaptation of existing inventions; but they will spur fresh invention, until wonders now unimagined are made possible.

The REGENT Presents Their First “Talkie”

Love under the tropic moon—grim shadows of the money-hungry white man —fantastic scenery, melodious native songs, and the roar of surf on the coral reef —a thrilling drama of a dying race. These factors all contribute to make "White Shadows in the South Seas,” the New Regent first sound snchronisation picture, to be shown on Thursday, a picture that is human, natural and different. The story opens with Monte Blue as Dr. Lloyd, a beachcomber physician, salvaging the lives of native pearl divers on a South Sea island. These natives, urged on by the white man’s cupidity, dive to great depths in search of the elusive mussels, and as a result aro dying out rapidly from the tremendous pressure. Lloyd finds in his own maimed heart a great pity for these simple islanders. After many hardships he finds a native village which has never seen a white man and the natives take him to their heart. It is his love for little Faya way, the daughter of the chief, and his determination to keep her and her people away from the contaminating influence of his fellow whites which make the picture a mighty epic of the hearts of men as well as of the beauties of tropical nature. The New Regent programme will include three short “talkies.” These are songs by Joseph Regan, the famous Irish-American, who sings "Mary Ann” and “Beloved”; “Cohen is Living the Life of Reilly” and “I Must Have an Italian Girl,” by Van and Schenk, the singing comedians; and finally, “I Wonder” and “More Than Satisfied.” sung by Marion Harris, the well-known gramophone artist.

The Initial Talkie at The STRAND

The new “all-talkie” programme to be presented at the Strand Theatre j on Thursday will be opened by a ; speech by his Majesty the King, made at the opening of the new fridge at Newcastle-on-Tyne. on his last public appearance before his. illness. “Street Angel,” the William Fox screen version of the play by Monckton Hoffe, will be the first featurelength “talkie” to be presented. In this new attraction, which comes to the Strand direct from its long run at the Globe Theatre, New Y r ork, the ‘wo youthful film lovers are trans- j ferred from the scenes of their first triumph in the sewers and attics of Paris to the streets and ateliers of Naples. Miss Gaynor will be seen as a waif of the wharves who joints a small travelling circus in order to free herself from the persecution of the Neapolitan gendarmes. Farrell portrays tho role of an itinerant Italian artist who, enamoured by her charm, follows her about the countryside. Director Borzage, who is of Italian parentage, has long been a student of Latin manners and customs, but despite his life-long familiarity with the theme of “Street Angel,” he spent many weeks in and about Naples, while on holiday in Europe last year, gathering data and atmosphere which was to aid him in bringing the story to the screen In this production the voices of Miss Gaynor and of Mr. Farrell, and Neapolitan love songs and dances contribute to an entertainment never to b» forgotten.