TRIUMPH OF THE “TALKIES"

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 9

TRIUMPH OF THE “TALKIES"

EFFECT ON OTHER FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT LUXURY OF AUSTRALIAN THEATRES After managing the latest farewell season of Sir Harry Lauder in Melbourne, Mr. Leo du Chateau, of Wellington, returned to New Zealand by the Aorangi on Monday and arrived here yesterday. Mr. du Chateau said it was surprising to note the popularity of the Scots comedian, and the one regret was that the tour could not be extended, but that could not be, as Sir Harry was boked for an eight months’ tour of the United States, after which he was fixed to appear in the “talkies,” so it may not be so very long before he makes himself audible on the screen. He has already appeared in one notably good picture, entitled “Auld Lang Syne”; indeed, he received his first instalment of his royalties, a matter of £7500, whilst Mr. du Chateau was with him. When congratulated, Sir Harry • said that the cheque was only on account of London fees. He hoped to make £70,000 out of the picture. Sir Harry’s brother, Jock, resides in Newcastle, New South Wales, and Sir Harry had him come down to Melbourne to see his farewell. Mr. du Chateau stated that the whole of the theatre business had Iteen upset by the extraordinary success of the “talkies.”

“There was no argument at all—the public loves them,” said Mr. du Chateau, “and It goes to them in thousands as compared with hundreds to other classes of theatrical entertainment. There is every inducement offered to do so. Every time Igo to Sydney and Melbourne; and I go across every year, new and palatial theatres, furnished with a degree of luxury and, comfort that takes one’s, breath away, ; lift up their lordly facades, and beckon one in. Such thick carpets, gloriously easy chairs, beautiful lighting, walls aglow with splendid oil paintings and articles of vertu. Everything is there that spells comfort in an atmosphere appealing to the artistic senses. What must be the feelings of the shop and factory girls to enter these palaces? It is a glimpse of another life—another world. Yet many of the legitimate theatres are as cold and comfortless as they were twenty, or thirty years ago; and as for the Town Hall 1 Well, I ask you? Are people who are so exquisitely catered for in a modern picture house going to sit in cold and discomfort in a vast, draughty hall for a couple of hours? No; the ‘talkie’ houses are going to be the means of instituting a new standard of comfort in all other houses of entertainment And what of the effect of the “talkies?”

“Well,” said Mr. du Chateau, “they appear to be ringing the knell of certain classes of .entertainment that were formerly enthusiastically accepted. It seems to me that we will not get the musical stars in such numbers as formerly. Erica Morini, the great violinist, Brailovsky, and Spivakovsky (pianists), all brilliant artists, failed to attract big business in Australia, and are not likely to come to New Zealand. I heard Dusolina Giannini at the Conservatoire in Melbourne. She is a wonderful artist—a gorgeous singer, with the most delightful personality—poise, manner, appearance and art, and all perfect. I am not sure, if she is coming to New Zealand—-the monetary inducement is not nearly so certain as it used to be, and the reason is, to my mind, largely the ‘talkies.’ From 10 o’clock in the morning it is a common sight to see queues lined up otftside the big picture houses, and giving three or four performances a day, the receipts must be very large indeed—much larger than those of a successful dramatic or comedy company, for example.” Mr. du Chateau announces the return to New Zealand of the Westminster Glee Singers, who have been completely reorganised by Mr. Edward Branscombe. After a highly successful tour of Canada, the singers are arriving at Auckland on September 9, and will thereafter tour the Dominion.