MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 914, 6 March 1930, Page 19

MAJESTIC

“WOMAN TRAP” TOMORROW This evening sees the final presentation of the current programme at the Majestic Theatre. This is headed by the fine talkie drama, “Drag of the Family,” starring Richard Barthelmess, with Alice Day and Lila Lee, and includes accompanying items of pictures and music. Noise, not silence, was demanded by Director Wellman during the filming of the majority of the scenes for “Woman Trap,” his latest Paramount all-talking picture, which comes to the Majestic tomorrow. Whereas the majority of film directors require absolute quiet dux-ing sound scenes, except for dialogues between players, Wellman follows the opposite rule. “There are few noiseless spots in actual life,” says Wellman, explaining his policy. “Traffic in the streets, the chirping of birds, the muffled ringing of a telephone in an adjoining apartment, the sound of footsteps on the pavement outside, the cry of newsboys, the whistles of trains, are noises seldom noticed, but they are always there. For this reason they should be heard from the screen just as in real life.” Wellman’s system permitted the “Woman Trap” company to make scenes in the railway yards near the central manufacturing district in Los Angeles. The scene is that of a raid on a warehouse where liquor has been stored. Police officers engage in a battle with Chestei* Morris, featured with Hal Skelly and Evelyn Brent in the picture. Morris, after escaping, runs over a maze of ti'acks and makes his escape on an outbound freight train. Doubtful and cautious sound engineers assured Wellman that the scenes could not be made. Wellman insisted that microphones be scattered about the warehouse, on the loading platforms outside, and up and down the tracks where switch engines were bustling about in noisy pursuit of their afft irs. Careful adjustment of the volume of sound from each of the microphones brought perfect results —and a self-satisfied smile from Wellman. “Woman Trap” is from the play “Brothers,” and features Hal Skelly, Evelyn Brent and Chester Morris. Hai Skelly ran away from home when he was 14 and has teen in the show business ever since. His role in “Woman Trap” is his second in pictures and. the first dramatic lole he ! has ever attempted in his career