FILM FASHION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 648, 27 April 1929, Page 29

FILM FASHION

FIELD FOR TALK FILM | TO-DAY AND IN FUTURE DISCUSSED BY EXPERT

Many sound obsservations on talking and sound films, of special interest to exhibitors, are embraced in the following article by Mr. A. M. Pickford, manager of Luna Park, who has been an exhibitor, and who recently returned from an inspection of Australian talkies. “Firstly, it is necessary to establish a definite answer to the question: 'What are the talkies?’ The best answer I can provide is, projection of sound, synchronised with projection of action, he writes. We know how action is projected. Now let us see how sound is projected. It is produced by a system of electrical recording and reproduction, much in the same manner as an ordinary gramophone record is recorded and reproduced, but by the adoption of a system of high frequency amplification, the weaker sounds are picked up and recorded and reproduced. This recording of a much greater range of sounds is impossible with the ordinary system of recording. In the talkies, two systems have been adopted for recording and reproduction, the film and the disc —and each has its particular uses and advantages. It can be said that, with equally qualified operation given to each, even an expert finds it difficult, when listening only, to decide which system is being used. The disc system is used mainly for studio work, while the film system is applied to gazettes, outdoor and travel work, because of its portability, therefore it is necessary for the exhibitor j to see that his installation is capable of reproducing by both systems. Many arguments are being advanced to support the theory that it will be only a gradual transformation from silent to talkie, but I am firmly of the opinion that the picture theatre business is one where fashion is a dominating factor, and that the theatre which is “old-fashioned” is going to close its doors, and the theatre which does not instal talkie equipment is certainly going to be old-fashioned. Then the film question has to be considered, and in this connection let fewer exhibitors remember that already the announcement has gone forth that fewer pictures will be produced in Hollywood this year.