THE TALKIES HAVE COME TO TOWN

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6992, 19 August 1929, Page 7

THE TALKIES HAVE COME TO TOWN

Palace Besieged INSTANTANEOUS SUCCESS As was only to be expected tho advent of the “talkies” to Palmerston North eclipsed in the popular imagination all other matters of moment, and Saturday afternoon and evening saw the Palace Theatre packed with oversowing and enthusiastic audiences who came completely under the spell of .this latest marvel which has so wonderfully enhanced the valuo an\l widened tho appeal of the world’s most popular form of entertainment. After its brief but busy spell in tho hands of the renovators, the Palace reopened with increased attractiveness. Vestibule, stairways, stage and orchestral well were resplendent in their new attire, while the draperies in different parts of the building servo the double purpose of .absorbing echoes and adding a note of comfort to the theatre. After working day and night for nearly a week Messrs. Collie/ and Beale, of Wellington, had the new installation ready.-for the matinee oh Saturday afternoon. The operating box has been completely transformed and the two big new machines for picture projection and sound production are tho most up-to-date yet installed in the Dominion. Those interested in pictures probably know that there are two kinds of talking films—onewhich photographs the sound on the film and the other which synchronises sn adaptation of the gramophone. The Palace installation is adaptable to both methods so that by comparatively simple adjustments all talking films can be produced. Those who have had tho privilege of seeing the machines in operation have been impressed by the remarkable paradox presented in the combination of simplicity in the fundamental idea and intricacy in the mechanical devices for insuring perfection of synchronisation.

Before a crowded house on Saturday evening tho member for Palmerston; (Mr. J. A. Nash) formally wel- : corned the “talkies” to their new home. He congratulated the managing, director (Mr. Fred Jackson) and those associated with him on this new evidence of their .enterprise, pointing ou£ that Palmerston North was the second inland city in tho Dominion to. have the “talkies” installed. Although the directors had been put to a very heavy expense, he believed the results would justify their optimism, and on behalf of the citizens he expressed their thanks for bringing Palmerston North into line with other cities, concluding by wishing the theatre every success. The audience had its first taste of orchestral music via the Vitaphone—a beautifully played ana perfectly produced overture by one of the super orchestras of Hollywood.- Then caine the real “talkies” in four short in-; troductory offerings which served to show the immensely increased range of appeal the movies have gained. Abe Lyman’s famous jazz band was both seen and heard to perfection; a noted French folk song interpreter showed how perfectly- a song could come through; and two comedy itfems gave an indication of the future trend of this popular form of support in a pifr ture house programme. The real test, however, was the all-talking drama “On Trial,” Warner Brothers Vitaphone production released for the first time in New Zealand. It instantaneously gripped and held the big audience by the double appeal to eye and ear, and must have dispelled any lingering doubt in the minds of the sceptics as to the superiority of the “talkie” over the silent film. The “talkie” hat come—find it has come to stay. .