THE TALKIES.

Evening Star, Issue 20898, 15 September 1931, Page 9

THE TALKIES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —One qualified to judge would not make the mistake of becoming as foolishly intense as “ Fair Comment,” because an unbiased mind and an intellectual grasp of the subject matter would reveal the fact that there is little or mo legitimate ground for complaint in the direction indicated. The titles of the pictures to which “ Fair Comment ” makes reference are certainly colourful, but that is the extent of the mischief. It is an old and well-worn trick ■ conceived to beguile those who would enjoy a “ dash of spice in the dish.” But the less optimistic must have come to leann long ago that tho spice is found only in the title. And those of weaker constitution, -like “ Fair Comment,” may rest easy in tho realisation that the bark of a picture is decidedly worse than its bite. As regards those’ of which “Fair Comment” makes complaint, “ Alpha ” is very well satisfied that, strained from tho rather ■suggestive titles, they contain nothing at which a healthy-minded individual could cavil.

Hnt, though of flic opinion that “ Fair Comment ” is following a false h'no of complaint, “Alpha’' is very conscious of the fact that sweeping rotor an are needed in order to restrict the class of picture which is having a

decidedly pernicious ejfect upon manners and speech of the rising generation. It is the so-called “ wholesome comedy ” and musical extra which is doing damage to the youth of this dominion. It was dangerous to a marked degree when the dumb antics of some capering"fool drew forth roars of laughter from the light-mimded sections of the audience. But the danger has increased, and the scope for harm has broadened since science has bestowed upon the capering fool a voice. Now he can be seen and heard, and those who, ever ready to catch upon the grotesque, amended their work amd gesture to those of a “ Chicago Flashjack,” are no less apt to _ prostitute good English to the nasal gibberish of Chicago and the Bowery. The talkie has been responsible for spreading the infantile nonsense which comprises the jazz lyric. Things like ‘ Yes, Sir, That’s Ma Baby ’ and Am t She Sweet ’ are incapable of sense translation, yet they are eagerly caught at, and the pernicious influences arising from them are spreading. It is most essential that some effort he made to preserve our English tongue and to infuse an interest for good English and Continental music. If some effort is not made it is inevitable that the influence of the talkie will speedily result in establishing a hybrid speech and in moulding our vouth to the pattern of Chicago and the Bowery. The pictures doing the harm may appear as ‘ wholesome comedy,” but they are nevertheless far more dangerous than the most daring problem play that ever escaped the censor’s cut. It is against the comedy and the musical extra that the “ Fair Comments ” might make justified and useful outcry.—l am, etc. Ai.pha. September 15. [This orrespondence is now closed. —Ed. E.S.]