THE "TALKIES"

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 9, 11 January 1929, Page 9

THE "TALKIES"

SUCCESS IN, SYDNEY "A LONG STEP FORWARD" - (From. "The Post's" Represlntative.) . SYDNEY, 3rd January. After weeks of booming. the public of Sydney were, encouraged to expect much from the ''talkies,'' and'although it is possible that the "talking" pictures are not everything that was claimed for" them, it can safely be said that the public was not disappointed: "Talkies" were shown for the first time at two of the leading theatres last Satur.day, and all day, great crowds thronged both places. People were amazed at the measure of success.that has been. achieved, and on all hands it is recognised that a long stop forward has been made, and tho'" Talkie's "; have ' come to stay.' :■;':' .'■'..- .'■... : ' '.■':.,

The exhibitors exercised, a judicious sense of restraint in presenting the initial programmes with - a promise '.' of greater things to follow. . .The.."Talkies" have been such a success in America that all the leading producing companies are no\v turning their attentionto them, so that there will be no lack of subjects in the future,, many of them "on a much more ambitious 1. scale than those now showing-in "•Sydney;' One "talkie" .showing in '.-■ The.Jazz Singer," and throughout the .musical accompauimeu.t of the picture is supplied by the. eineSOund.device ori'the film itself, perfectly; synchronised, ..and . :pf magnificent-volume. The story: is spec-, ially written to givevAl.Jolson, .famous throughout America:, an opportunity to sing several popular jazz numbers in his inimitable style. According to the "Sydney Morning. Herald," there persisted all the time a feeling, that one was listening to an amplified gramophone.... .."And yet," .says the. \.H er aid"—perhaps .the ; unkiudest -critic.-,-of ■all—".the'robust teiipr o,f-.-the;cantor'iin the' synagogue scenej singing, the. ancient 'Kol Nidrei' of his race, was reproduced in a manner entirely satisfactory. The resonance of tone in a voice of remarkable quality seemed to ring throughout the entires theatre. Thesynchronisation was perfect. 'The Jazz Singer,' though admirable insome/ro'^ects c ;einphasised.-. |l the;i,iapnessioy l ;tha,ti 'this inovel forni\;of^en-tertaiiynent ,-is;ontrie brink.'of r even-greater ?and,-'.- more amazing development.'.'. .-...■■ '■ . : •According to the "Sun," the several short numbers, shown in conjunction with subjects of the. standard length, demonstrated the great possibilities of the "talkies." / These-, comprised a face-to-face- listen-in to." Mussolini;-,Taf t,: Coolidge, 'and--ethers; a ■'droll Oconiedy} interlude by the English comedy star, Beatrice Lille, a. dramatic,.'episode from tho life of Stephen Colin- Foster, who wrote such famous isongs as "My Olfl Kentucky Home," "Old Folks at Home, "and " Old Black Joe;" Eegarding the Poster episode, the i:Sun" says: "Imagine a silent film sequence —a girl assistant in a.music shop has just farewelled a-quartet ofi boisterous college boys and turns toigree.ta shabby individual. 'I have-a song.for sale,' he says. 'I thing it is worth five.dollars.' She takes the music and reads the title, ''My Old Kentucky- Home,' by Stephen Foster. . ' 'Are you Stephen Foster,' she "asks. 'Yes,' he answers. 'Won't you play it?',..:.' Yes, I ,will play it, and'he goes to a small harmonium, and the explosive,' ever-emphasis-ed dialogue is merged into' : delightful music." '■' • . .

The managing director of Union Theatres, Ltd., made' the following statement: "No : story that was^ ever written for the'screen is as' dramatic as the story of the screen itself. Now we writs another chapter to'that story, ifar, indeed, lias jnotion-picture -art advanced from that "few seconds, .'of shadow of a' serpentine "'dancer thirty years ago when the motion picture was born, to this public demonstration of synchronising, the reproduction Of sound with reproduction of action. The future of motion pictures is as far-flung as all the to-morrows, rendering greater and still greater service as,the chief entertainer of the majority of the people. Music has ever, played an invaluable part in the presentation of motion pictures, which has materially helped to develop a national appreciation of good music. With the advance of cinosound presentation, this potent factor will come even more into prominence. It has been said that the art of the vocalist and the . instrumentalist is ephemeral—that ho creates but for the moment. Now, the artist or his art will never wholly die. To my mind the reproduction of sound. and scene, perfectly synchronised • is-not only an achievement of high 1 ■ scientific importance, but an, event,of far-reaching significance in human, affairs. I.'' ,;.-