VAST POWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 678, 1 June 1929, Page 9 (Supplement)

VAST POWER

! 1 films of the future MAY DECIDE FATE \ OF KINGS. \

Describing the film industry as liavi ing, apparently, taken control of the | world, Mr. W. M. Marks, M.H.R., told | members of the Royal Empire Society ! in Sydney that the film might even develop into the means of dethroning kings and disrupting empires. That fact, Mr. Marks said, only emphasised the necessity for a wise and healthy censorship in every country, says the ‘Sydney Sun.” Fabulous sums were involved in the Industry. In America alone the total Invested was approximately £350,000,000—-a little less than Australia’s war debt. In Australia last year, he went on, 114,000,000 people visited the picture theatres, but that total was 1,000,000 less than the number of persons who attended the "movies” each week in America. Hollywood produced 98 per cent, of

“ . . . the means of dethroning kings and disrupting empires.” the films, and, while the Prime Minister received only £2,750 a year, men high up in the picture industry in America ivere receiving as much as £25,000. “There is nothing in life today that wields a bigger influence upon the people than the picture film," the lecturer declared, “and there is a fortune for the man who produces the first all-Australian talkie.” There was a wonderful market awaiting Australian films in England, one circuit alone consisting of 400 theatres. England was awakening to the tremendous importance of the industry, but she had a lot of leeway to make up. The recent formation of vast combines, with capital ranging up to nearly £50,000,000, iu America and Europe, was an indication that a gigantic struggle for supremacy in the film world was taking shape.

MAURICE LANE-NORCOTT presents “THE WORDIES” A Super-Silent Caption Story without pictures ADAPTATION: Maurice Lane-Nor-cott. TYPED by M La.ne-Norcott CENSORED by Maurice L. Norcott. PASSED FOR GENERAL RELEASE by M. L. Norcott. N.B.—This super-silent caption story is an M. L-N. production throughout. CAME DAWNING INTELLIGENCE TO THE LITTLE HAMLET OF HOLLYWOOD. CYRUS K. KNOBLITCH WAS PRACTICALLY AN IMPRESSARIO BUT—OH BOY!—HE COULDN’T SPELL IT! * » * HISTORY' HAD NOTHING ON HIM! HE THOUGHT THAT KING CANUTE DROPPED HIS CROWN IN THE WASH AFTER SWALLOWING A LAMP-GLASS. AND. IN CONSEQUENCE, NEVER SMILED AGAIN. * * f* LITERATURE JUST GOT HIM! BUT ONLY JUST! * £ * “SAY. BO,” SAID CYRUS K. KNOBLITCH. “THIS DAVE COPPERFIELD DOPE BY A GINK CALLED DICKINS IS A SWELL SCHENARIO!” * * ♦ YEP! * , * SO FROM THE LITTLE HAMLET OF HOLLYWOOD WENT FORTH A MAIL ORDER FORM FOR 5,000 TONS OF TIMBER 100.000 NAILS. 20,000 TONS OF BRICKS. 8 SQUARE MILES OF THATCH. 10,000 BARRELS OF TAR. * * * AND 5,000 WORKMEN BUILT

HOUSES OF OLD-WORLD CHARM AT THE STUPENDOUS COST OF cCSO.OOO! ! * ♦ THUS A YEAR PASSED UNTIL. .... The ancient City of Londinium, nestling on the sleepy banks of the mighty Thames, raised its dreaming spires to the night sky. Then * * “BURN IT ALL DOWN,” COMMANDED CYRUS K. KNOBLITCH. Thus started the great fire of Londinium which was to bring misery in its train. * * :p Meanwhile Heap, the hypocrite, was at work, stirring up discontent in the hearts of honest men. * * Soon from the throats of the distraught populace rose the dread cry of “Plague!” Yet, while death stalked abroad ■with unsheathed scythe, one man remained true to himself. David Copperfield of Bart's! And, sharing his danger with him, j a true Sister of Mercy, went the girl of his boyhood days!. His little j Nell! His little orange lady of Old j Drury. “My Florence Nightingale!” “My medical student!” * * * END OF PART ONE Gradually the serum that young Dr. Copperfield had invented took effect. Once again the laughter of little children rang in the quaint old streets. In the Court of St. James, Charles Stewart, the first lgentleman in Europe, sat in conference. “Copperfield? Copperfield?” quoth

i his Majesty. “When heard make | a note on.” Honours where honours are due. | Before the little surgery in which David had laboured halted the ! royal equippage. j Rat! Tat! Tat! j “Oh, come in! COME in!” ! “Dave! Dave! wherever are your eyes? Cannot you see that it is . the Merrie Monarch himself?” | “Sire!” So out of the quagmire that once was Londinium to the country mansion of their dreams rode Sir David Copperfield and his Lady. I And as the wise old moon slowly j rose above the high hills, turning j all to silver, there under the apple blossom, two little hands stole 1 into two big ones. Love had found a way at last. —From “The Daily Mail.” ! j i j ! j