IMPROVING THE TALKIES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 8

IMPROVING THE TALKIES

(To the Editor.}

Sir, —A gentleman connected with the picture industry shows' himself sensitive to the volume of criticism against some of , the talkies. He states Aueklanders have complained most, yet when they had the opportunity to see a picture he, commends, the number of patrons in Auckland was decidedly less than in other cities. How are folk to know when a pictuiv will provide suitable entertainment for tho whole family,?. Rarely by reading the extensive advertisements. They fail of their purpose, because evpn the worst pictures are written up as though they wore the final word in pictorial art. "A needed public service is a frank, fair, and dependable outline of the merits and demerits of each exhibition.; Thefault goes beyond the actors and the technical skill, to the producers who havo not learned that courage, humour, faithfulness, tho joy of life, and good comradeship effectively displayod will win the hearts of tho people. Satisfied patrons will aid discriminatory advertising. Thousands wero told by their friends to see George Arliss in "Disraeli." As a consequence they are ready to see evory Arliss picture. When it was decided to put "Little Women" on tho screen, it was at first suggested that the production should be on modern lines with girls in beach shorts and lounging pyjamas. The "experts" wero sure of failure when it was decided to present a gracious study of a vanished phase of American life. So little do the picture people know of tho. reactions of normal men and women that two <:o£ the most important companies declined to screen "Little Women." Yet in Radio Centre in New York the management kept extending the season until a record of seven weeks' showing was made. In Boston and Washington a week's seasoji for the best pictures is the usual run, and "Little Women" was on for four weeks, though it is described as '"only a girl's story." '■■■.■'

The same inability to realise the possibilities of clean and clever dramatic presentations has markod the partial eclipse of the stage. ' A theatre critic has pointed out that plays securing a run of over-a hundred nights in New York city have generally been regarded as failures in the first fortnight because the blase regulars regarded them as lacking spice. Directly the vast public, usually untouched, learned that something could be seen that stirred their emotions'and roused their respect, thoy kept tho theatres crowded. Theresa Helburn, of New York, had no professional connection with the stage when she became the1 moving spirit of tho Theatre Guild. She was sure folk can still/enjoy a worth-while play with vulgarity banished. Wonderful success has attended her efforts. She is teaching tho professionals how to regain success.

Because Britishers have given expression to their judgment against lowgrado pictures improvement is rapidly taking place. It would bo still moro rapid if patrons could havo foreknowledge of tho bad pictures. No ono can say that New Zealand's opinion does not count. Because our censor turns down pictures permitted to be shown in England, it tends to stiffen the depiro for improvement then. If we lesul in that growing demand we

servo others as well as ourselves. The London "Daily Mail" has pointed out that Hollywood is making a spectacular effort to recapturo tho waning affections of tho millions of British filmgoers. The British film, "The Private Life of Henry VIII," is at present leading the world, and it is expected that the film of H. G. Wells's story, "The Shape of Things to Come/ will win for British producers another premiership. Hollywood does not want to be left high and dry, so her coming productions include "David Copperfield," "Kirn," "Captain Courageous," "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," "Treasure Island," "A Tale of Two Cities," "British Agent," "Jane Eyre/ "Elizabeth and Mary," and "A Fugitive from Glory." The last-named deals with tho adventures of Lawrence of Arabia. In the talkies tho best is yet to be, despite some wonderful pictures already shown. Just as tho epic story of tho "Forty-nine Shoguns" is packing the Japanese picture houses^. beyond all record, so will the adequate re-enactment of our own national epics have a like result. —I am, etc., , ' ■ 11. R. FRENCH. Hastings.

Reference is made1 by Mrs. Mariau C. Algie to the statement of the Minister of Internal Affairs that of 56 pictures to which secondary schoolchildren had taken exception, "36 were recommended by the censor for adults, therefore the pictures should never have been seen. by children —that was, if parents and guardians had taken sufficient interest in the matter to exercise reasonable control over the amusements which their charges " were permitted to attend."

/ Mrs. Algie suggests: "(1) That, as a result of the undesirable education children are permitted to absorb at picture shows, parents (not tho child) shall bo punished for any crime committed by their children under 21 years of ago. That would wake-up p.-rents to a realisation of their responsibilities towards their children. (2) Or, as an alternative—that the Government, which is also a guardian of the children, appoint inspectors to go round the theatres and see that children are not admitted to pictures' the censor has marked for adult audiencos."