THE NEW ORDER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 5, 7 January 1931, Page 10

THE NEW ORDER.

'VAUDEVILLE TOO EXPENSIVE*

COMPETITION OF TALKIES.

Mr. W. J. Douglas, at one time general manager for John Fuller and Sons in Wellington, and how a director of the firm, arrived by the Ulimaroa this morning on a business visit. He mentioned that his firm still had some vaudeville and revue companies working, but expressed the opinion that talking pictures would not be displaced. The great trouble was the expense of engaging legitimate companies. "We cafinot get the artists," he said. "If we go to America or England to look for talent we are met with the reply that it takes many weekg. to travel, out and a lot of time for rehearsals." This meant far too much lost time, and they could get far better appointments on circuit in the larger countries or for acty at the moving picture studios. "Most of our theatres are now wired," he added,, "and we ate extending our operations in this connection, and are novy putting ..talking equipment into our theatre in Perth." ..:■'• *'•