THE TALKING FILM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 226, 22 August 1928, Page 2

THE TALKING FILM.

RECORD OF THE PRINCES VOICE.

GREAT POSSIBILITIES.

LONDON, July 5. A crowded house at a West End picture house listened this week to a talking film of the Prince of Wales opening the Royal Edward Dock extension at Bristol. The familiar voice was perfectly clear, clearer indeed than it could have been to most in the vast crowd at Bristol that listened intently to his amplified speech. The realism of the film was heightened by the familiar mannerisms and movement of the Prince’s lips. Although peoplo are not taking to the talking film with the enthusiasm that was anticipated, there is a proposal to convert two West End theatres into “talking movie” houses.

The Daily Mail, in a leading larticlc, considers that the dual film is capable of immenso development, remarking: “It bridges to a great extent tho gulf between the kinema and the theatre. Characters can explain themselves and their actions, and so dispense with mdst of the tiresome captions that punctuate silent films. Opera, Shakespearean drama (the kinema could do rga.l justice to one of Shakespeare’s crowds), and modern plays, perhaps written expressly for the new medium, should in time be well within tho scope of the talking film.' For already perfect synchronisation has been achieved and ingenuity may bo trusted to surmount such minor mechanical difficulties as remain.

“The kinema lias made millions of peop?e familiar with the sights and scenes of tho entire world and with its leading figures. The invention of tiro talking film gives it another dimension, and removes the chief of its limitations. To hear as well as to see a prima donna; if only her simulaoriim, oil the screen; to listen to the voice of a great orator, while watching his gestures and the play of his features —these are among the opportunities held out by this great new invention.”