STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 643, 20 April 1929, Page 14

STRAND

“TALKIES” AND SOUNDSYNCHRONISED PICTURE With the introduction of "talkies” and synchronised sound effects, the motion picture industry lias taken the biggest step forward in its history. Always the silence of the screen has been a drawback —now one can hear the jokes, dialogue or songs, and hear the music of famous orchestras. The full possibilities of this new invention is demonstrated by the excel-lently-varied programme presented during the past two days by the Strand Theatre. The main feature, "Street Angel,” is accompanied by a specially synchronised musical score from the great orchestra of the Roxy Theatre, New York, which lias 110 players. The music records perfectly, and is a musical treat in itself. For the remainder of the programme the Strand presents a number of short full-talkie features, commencing with tlie speech of his Majesty the King at the opening of the Newcastle-on-Tyne bridge. Speaking clearly and deliberately, his Majesty told of the advantages the bridge would bring to the town, and expressed his pleasure at having to open such a structure. The applause of the listeners and the orders given to the guard of honour could be heard plainly. The King’s voice records well, and" there is clarity in every syllable. The other "talkie” items were equally clear. There is a whimsical speech from George Bernard Shaw, songs by Gertrude Lawrence, a dialogue comedy my “Chic” Gale, and a soundsynchronised gazette of the world’s news. A charming love, story of picturesque Naples is unfolded in the chief pictorial attraction, "Street Angel,” Fox Film featuring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, which, in addition to the fascina.ting'sound synchronisation, is notable for the beauty of the settings and the splendid acting. Frank Borzage, who also produced "Seventh' Heaven,” featuring these same artists, once more proved himself one of the screen’s leading directors. Under his direction. Miss Gaynor rose to new heights, and her performance takes rank with the best acting achievements of the year. The story tells of Angelina, an unfortunate victim of circumstances, who, desperate through poverty and ! the sickness of her mother, attempts the last resources of desperate girls, and takes to the streets of an Italian town to raise money for food and her mother’s medicine. She tries to steal enough money, and pursuing police lose her within the friendly tent of a travelling circus. She is later found and carried away to prison, while her newly discovered sweetheart gives her up tor dead. However, everything turns out all right in the end, and Angelina comes back to Naples to find shelter, romance, and a husband.