Why the Public Likes Talk Films

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 714, 13 July 1929, Page 9

Why the Public Likes Talk Films

Women are Curious About Stars’ Voices A NUMBER OF OPINIONS 'Why is it that talking films are drawing such large crowds? Is it only their novelty or is it a genuine attraction? A reporter set out to find the answers to those questions, } not -from managers, hut from j the people who, every day, fin the cinemas.

JT was in the afternoon, when women are always in the majority, says the London “Daily Mail.” In the course of conversation ten people were asked, six women and four men. These were the women’s answers:—First (middle-aged): I like the talking films because they do not require the concentration of the theatre, and you can get exactly the same thrills for which at a theatre you would have to pay three times as much. Her Friend (young): I’m in favour of talking films because I want to hear all the actors and actresses whom I like in silent films actually speaking their parts. Third: What theatre can compare with the scenery and action of a film? When you get the spoken words as well, you have everything you want, and much more comfortably. I like the noises, too, because you get far more sensation. Fourth: This is only my second visit and lam not sure yet. Ido not think that the voices sound very real. If the talk-film is improved I should vote for it every time. Fifth: Why pay 12s 6d or more for a seat to see a show when at the cinema you need only pay 2s 4d or 3s 6d and be more comfortable? Then there is more variety and you can leave when you want. It’s more free and easy. Sixth: I think that there is real art in the talking films, and I am going to them to watch their gradual improvement. I enjoy them and like to hear the words. The men were briefer. The first candidly admitted that he had twice heard the machinery go wrong, and was so amused that he wanted to hear

it again, if he were lucky. No. 2 was just leaving in a hurry, and said, “Never again. I can’t bear American accents in voices which could never have come through any human lips, even in Hollywood.” No. 3, a business man, was going to the cinema to pass the time for an hour and a-half before an appointment, and did not think he preferred talk films to the theatre, but “with the comparative price there is no doubt that as a stop-gap no variety show or theatre can compare with them.” The last man to be questioned was genuinely interested. I believe that there is a big future for them with a new standard of art. I and my friends all hope to see good British talking films, drawing big British crowds, as they will do. They will never oust the theatre, but they are a good enough show of their own.