Sir Ben Fuller Challenges Talkies

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 654, 4 May 1929, Page 5

Sir Ben Fuller Challenges Talkies

SYDNEY WAR OPENS

VAUDEVILLE V. CINEMA If Sir Benjamin Fuller carries out an intention announced last month, an entertainment war between vaudeville and the talkies will open in Sydney to-day. CT. JAMES THEATRE will open with no orchestra and at cut-rate prices. The house will be wired for talkies in case this policy fails. “Baby Cyclone,” the play opening at the St. James, Sydney, to-night requires no music and the pruning knife will be applied in other directions to keep operating costs down and make possible a profit on the reduced prices, says “Everyone’s Motion Picture” authority. The new wiring system in the big theatre will be used first to provide incidental music, but the way will be open for a complete change-over to talkies if necessary. In New Zealand Sir Benjamin is interested in talkies and as the company is unrestricted in policy there would be no difficulty in making a change from stage to screen. “If the people can see flesh-and-blood players in real life doing the same thing for the same price, the solid substance should win preference over the shadow,” Sir Benjamin told an interviewer. “t have no animosity toward the talking picture and if they are deemed necessary at the St. James, Sydney, we will introduce them. Being born to the stage I have a strong sentiment, but I would tackle anything bar circus. To my good friends George and Lord Philip Wirth I leave that field entirely free.” This morning Mr. Ray Fuller, manager of the St. James, Auckland, said it was true that a price-cutting battle would open in Sydney to-day, but he was unaware of any suggestion of dispensing with the orchestra or considering complete programmes of talking pictures. Certainly there was no suggestion of that kind for Auckland, where prices were already at the 3s, 2s and Is level.