Radio and the "Talkies"

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 11, 27 September 1929, Page 4

Radio and the "Talkies"

A Great Power for Good or Evil FEW events have aroused such controversy as the advent of the "talkies." It burst on us like a bombshell and no later than six weeks after its arrival, equipment had been installed in our five leading theatres. As a commercial venture "talkies" may leave little to be desired, but from another viewpoint this innovation is going to have a bad effect. Several of these pictures have been notorious for that nasal twang which is said to identify the Yankee in any part of the world.’ To the adult this twang may appear rather novel and humorous, but it has been noticed that children in the street and playgrounds at school have been imitating the type of speech prominent in the lower class "talkie." Thus the recent statement which met with such derision by a correspondent to the papers, may not be the exaggeration it appears-‘in twenty years’ time New Yealand will be speaking the tongue of America," Radio has had many burdens cast on it of late and the "talkies" provide another liability. By giving New Zealand the best over the air, radio can do much to counteract the effect which second-rate talking pictures will have on our language. Many worshipped their favourite movie stars, placing them on a pedestal among their gods only to find that their idols had feet of clay and, closing their eyes, they could not associate the voice with the figure. With the advent of the "talkies," hero worship of stars may become but a thing of the past. Much discretion can be exerecised in the choice of these films for the Dominion. New Zealanders have ever been proud of their purity of their diction and the effect the "talkies" will have can only make itself evidenced with time. Not all "talkies" have this failing; there are some that have a totally different effect, but for every gem, we have ten of the undesirables. From another viewpoint, the "talkies" have wrought havoc. Many theatres have dismissed their orchestras, and this must prove a factor in discouraging many from adopting music as a profession. Again radio can absorb many of these musicians and by judicious broadcasting still prove a stimulant to the best in music. In ‘many ways the "talkies" have much in common with radio. In future "talkie" artists will have to pay as much attention to their enunciation as do radio announcers and actors, and the physical beauty of the star tends more and more to become a secondary consideration, while voice-personality is coming to the fore. Where once the beauty and sex appeal of the star interested the audienee, now her histrionic genius and the magic of her voice evokes spontaneous applause. There is not only the bad aspect of the "talkies" that must be considered. There are vast possibilities for good in this new invention. It may mean @ revolution in grand opera. Soon we may see and hear "Faust," "Carmen," "Ti Trovatore" and others, played by

‘the world’s greatest artists. Lands that have been starved for the classicy may see and hear Shakespeare por trayed by the foremost actors of the day. Even already we have heard great actors on the screen, but at present the "talkie" seems to cater for the lower grade of intelligence. As a factot for maintaining the peace of nations, speaking pictures can play a mighty part. Scenes from other lands, speeches from the powers of other countries can forge strong bonds of fellowship between nations, Pictures of foreign settlements in New Zealand of interest to other lands and speeches by their leading inhabitants would play a great part in making war but a horror of the past. In its hands, the "talkie" has the power to uplift and to sublimate,.but hitherto it has done nothing but qiander to the taste of the majority. re may come a day when radio and the "talkies" will work hand in hand. Perhaps one day we will hear the incidental music to a picture, broadcast from the studio; perhaps with the perfection of television, we will sit at home and enjoy the world’s greatest plays. In the education of the people the "talkie" has even greater possibilities than radio. At the. :sent time education by this means is almost impossible on account of the commercial interest, which is really the only interest eonsidered. No one would pay to go and be educated by this means with a picture theatre near at hand with much more fascinating wares. But the day may come when we will see the "talkie" in our schools and univers: ties. One can go further in flights of imagination, but the powers and possibilities for both good and evil in this invention are infinite. . It can either prove the death-blow or the great revival of the stage-play, and the future of our entertainment, in more ways than one, lies in the laps of these picture magnates.