"SILENT DRAMA FIRST."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20130, 15 December 1928, Page 10 (Supplement)

"SILENT DRAMA FIRST."

; METRO-GOLDWYN'S POLICY.

Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr's policy on sound and talking pictures was stated recently by Mr. N. B. Freeman, managing director in Australia and New Zealand. ''Silent drama first and foremost—synchronised round sequences added, when applicable, to meet tbo requirements of exhibitors ; who possess Movietone and Vit.aphono installations." , My firm definitely refuses to be stampeded into promiscuous action in regard to sound or talking pictures,'.' said Mr. freeman. " The advancement of tlm silent drama, the production of motion pictures of the highest calibre will continue to bo our major aim and object. "While we will givo' due attention and development to such innovations as sound and dialogue, our primary consideration is for tho vast army of exhibitors whose present need is for silent pictures only. " Will the advent of synchronised sound as an adjunct to motion picture presenta,.tion, Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer, having carefully investigated over the past few years (he possibilities of this accompaniment, it. now using it in conjunction with such productions lo which it is considered applicable. " White Shadows i:ri the South Seas,' recently prc-viewcd in Sydney, is an example of the efficacy of this method. Primarily a silent drama, it also possesses sound sequences, so that, for instance, in addition to seeing tho breakers poundine on a beach, one may also hear them.

" Other productions made in the first instance as silent dramas but for which Found sequences aro also available, are " Excess Baggage,' ' While the City Sleeps ' and ' Our Dancing Daughters.' 'All of them, on performances, are strong attractions with or without sound accompaniment. Tlio same applies to Road Comedies and to the World News. "In the isolated case of 'The Trial of Mary Dugan dialogue will, bo used throughout and therefore two negatives will be with dialogue, the other in tho customary manner."