SOUND AND COLOUR

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 261, 4 August 1928, Page 7

SOUND AND COLOUR

THE LATEST IN MOTION PICTURES INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS • Mr. N. B. Freeman, managing director of .etro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures in New Zealand and in Australia, had some interesting information to impart on the subject of sound and colour in motion picture entertainment when he arrived by the Marama. “There has been a great deal of activity recently on tbq part of the leading companies in regard to ‘sound pictuies, said Mr. Freeman, "but so tat as Metro-Goldwyu-Mayer is concerned tins important subject is being cautiously approached with the assistance of a number ot scientists from leading . European and xkinerican universities. Just as the first pictures produced entirely in natural colours were not an unqualified success, so there is a possibility that the first Movietone pictures—as they will be called — may not be entirely satisfactory, and lor this reason it is probable that our first efforts in this direction will, be the making of comedies with a Movietone accompaniment so that all the sounds incidental to hilarious comedy situations may be heard as well as seen. Hal Roach, who produces all Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedies, is now carrying out extensive research work at his studios with a view to using the Movietone for comedy work. At the same time the stars and featured players of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are having their voices tested by the voice dissector,’ in order to ascertain their tonal value and their suitability to Movietone work.” Historical Colour Pictures. Reverting to the subject of colour in pictures, Mr. Freeman said that his company had produced a series of two-reel pictures made entirely in technicolour, and dealing with the life stories of outstanding historical figures. The pictures already completed included the following: “The Czarina’s Secret” (Katherine the Great of Russia), “The Virgin Queen (Queen Elizabeth and Si” Walter Ra-

leigh), “The Lady of Victories” (Napoleon and Josephine). The story of Antony and Cleopatra was now in course of production. Mr. Freeman said that Metro-Coldwyn-Mayer had established a complete organisation for the production of colour pictures, and had clearly'proved that it would soon be possible to produce pictures of five, eight, tem or even more reels iu length entirely in natural colour if this were, considered advisable. Patient study and endless experimental work had made colour pictures a success as produced by “M.-G.-M.,” and the same process of careful development would be given to the Movietone pictures before a single foot of film was issued for public exhibition. Commenting on the success of his company's pictures in New Zealand during -the past three years; Mr. Freeman said that in 1928 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer laid down a policy whereby every picture made should have the most lavish and thorough production possible. This policy would be even more rigidly carried out in the future, and to that end a sum equal to more than £lOO,OOO had been allocated for the making of each single picture. Referring to the fact that his organisation in New Zealand and Australia had been distributing the “Romantic New Zealand” series of pictures produced by the' Prime Minister’s Department during the past three years, and would do so again in 1929, Mr. Freeman said that these pictures, which he described as “gems of beauty and interest,” were immensely popular in Australia. I urthermore, said Mr. Freeman, the Commonwealth Government had decided _to again take up the production of motion

pictures depicting the resources, scenic wonders and general progress of Australia, and that his company had been given the honour of distributing these pictures throughout both countries. Thus Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was now the official film distributors for both Governments. Big Pictures Coming. . Asked to name the most outstanding pictures his company would release iu New Zealand in the future, Mr. Freeman said that those occurring first to mind were "The Student Prince” and “The Garden of Allah,’.’ the first based on the famous play and the second on the equally famous novel. The screen adaptation of Channing Pollock's play, “The Enemy,” would also be released shortly and was considered by many critics to be one of the greatest of all screen dramas. “Annie Laurie,” a screen story woven around the famous Scottish ballad, was another picture that New’ Zealanders would enjoy. In conclusion, Mr. Freeman said that “M-G-M-'s” efforts to further the cause of international pictures was bearing fruit. “Mons,” he thought, had done much to bring this about. The screen, he said, was international territory—it knew no frontier, no racial difference. A good picture was a good picture, no matter where it was made, aud because a picture was made in a certain country, did not necessarily signify that such a picture was of the country that made it. In support of this contention, he mentioned “Quality Street,” and “Trelawney of the Wells,” two pictures essentially British in theme, setting and everything else, yet made in California, with people of all nations acting in them. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer welcomed good pictures, no matter who made them, or where. Syd. Chaplin, a screen comedian of the front i*ank,' made a picture in Great Britain based on the stage success “A Little Bit of Fluff.” Rechristened “Skirts,” it would be released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer throughout the world. Betty Balfour, famous English screen star, supported Chaplin; the remainder of the players wese British, but the director was an American. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer had supervised its production and would handle its release. What would the nationality of that picture be? Mr. Freeman asked. Personally, he said he thought it was a fine example of “international serqen art. Other pictures made in England would also be released by his company, including “Mumsie,” starring Pauline Frederick and Nelson Keys, famous English comedian. The French production, “Napoleon” would also be released, as well as a picture made entirely in Tahiti,< and titled “White Shadows in the South Seas.”