"TALKING FILMS"

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 29, 3 August 1921, Page 2

"TALKING FILMS"

POSSIBILITIES OF THE FUTURE. Mr. Thomas Quinlan, ■ whose grandopera company had a successful season in Melbourne some time ago, reached Australia by the Ostorly recently. In an interview in Melbourne, he said that he saw a difficult time ahead of grand opera for a period, but he looks forward to o remarkable development of the _ "talking picture" business. Its possibilities, he considers, are unlimited. The apparatus will, of course, bo worked chiefly in connection with music,, but Mr. Quinlan thinks it will eventually be used in political and other propaganda. The phrase "machine politics," will then have a new mewing. "Grand opera," said Mr. Quinlan, "ia. a dying industry, due \ba the facts that it must be dona very well or it becomoa comic opera, and that tbe eeonomio world conditions are against its being oarried out by private enterprise) as in pre-war days-. It attempted for purely monetary reasons in Australia, either with a subsidy or a philanthropist lpehind it, the project will bis one njore sprag in the wheels of artjsfcio progress-. Australians are used to the best, and my battle ory would be, 'Do with it until you can go one better than, you have already tasted'," Would you like to express an opinion upon the current topic, "Is Melbourne musical?" Mr. Quinlan w-as asked. "It depends wpon what the entrepreneurs present," he replied. "If you see a lady with a wel}-cut, smart dresp on 365 days of the year you will aay, 'very nice, but let us navo a uhango of garb.' So it is with music. Tho public subsoonaoiously has reached the point when it does not know what it wants; but it knowa that there is something lacking." And what do you boo on tho horizonf "Singing ajid talking pictures are as muoh in advance of present' cinematograph representations as the moving picture was ahead of tho magio lantern," Mr- •Quinlan said. "No man will sit out a dumb picture after haying seen tho talking picture. Developmental and experimental wprk has resulted in a machine capable of commercial exploitation in the cinema industry. It is independent of, but easily connected with, any existing cinema. An essential feature is, of course, absolute synchronisation between tbe film and tho vooal and instrumental reproduction. Tho apparatus comprises a transmitter, electrically connected with reproducing instruments, which are concealed, and a double turntable carrying <he musical records which are automatically controlled by the film in such a way that change from one thoord to another is made without pause, 'iind in»-absolute conformity with the H.ovcmuiits of the picture. "The musical tone is adjustable in relation to tho acoustic properties of the theatre, so tbnt natural reproduction 13 obtained under all conditions; and where au orchestra is performing with the picture an additional device secures-perfect unanimity between the conductor and the operator The- machine is 'fool-proof,' so that any ordinary operator can attach it to his standard projector in a few minutes. Whilo tho combination of pieturo and music will bo tho special feature, th© apparatus will not be confined to this. Applied to political, professional, and commercial propaganda it. should bo exploited with advantage."

"It depends wpon what the entrepreneurs present," he replied. "If you

Have you any new musical attractions in eight? Mr. Quinlan was asked. "Yes," ho replied. "I am anxious to bring the greatest musical nttrsetion since I was hero last with my opera company. I cannot give dotaiis just now, but, if conditions warrant tho expenditure, I can promise that there is a musical treat of the highest order ahead."