BRITISH TALKIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 892, 8 February 1930, Page 25

BRITISH TALKIES

“Under the Greenwood Tree ”

SUCCESSFUL ADAPTATION

The all-talking version of Thomas Hardy’s novel, "Under the Greenwood Tree,” is having a succeessful run at the Regal Theatre, London.

This fact is not in itself so noteworthy, because most new British pictures have a pre-release run in one of the London theatres; but "Under the Greenwood Tree” is attracting; audiences which are not composed of regular film goers. This is attributed to the fame of the novel, on which the film is based, and to the simplicity and beauty of the picture. A very famous British picture of 10 years ago, “Alf’s Button,” has had a sequel in “Alfs Carpet,” which has recently been trade shown and been well received. It may be observed that the Gaumont Company will shortly be making a new talking version of “Alt’s Button.”

Two recent pictures, "High Treason” and “White Cargo,” which were originally talking and silent respectively, have recently appeared in new versions, i.e., as silent and talking films.

In “High Treason,” which is a film depicting life about 30 years’ hence, ♦he absence of dialogue appears to make the picture more convincing, while in “White Cargo” the talking version has enabled the producer to get rid of a number of subtitles, which has made the picture, more realistic. Other recent British films are “To What Red Hell,” “The Broken Melody,” “A Throw of Dice,” produced entirely in India, “Dark Red Roses,” “The Informer” and "The Devil’s Maze.”