"TALKIES" IN EUROPE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20454, 4 January 1930, Page 9 (Supplement)

"TALKIES" IN EUROPE.

THE BARRIER OF LANGUAGE.,,

BT D. WINTER HALL.

Tho English motion picture industry, which for years has been trying to find its feet and make a successful stand against tbe overwhelming American monoply in the film business, was elated in 1927 to discover that Hollywood's studios were going " talkie" with a reckless abandon- that seemed to signify tho big opportunity for which British producers had so long waited. For, tlioy reasoned, while they waste time over there on these horrible mechanical sounds, wo will step into tho silent picture line, and fill tho gap iu the breach. This might have taken place, had it not been for tho triumph of the " talkies," in Jingland as well as in America.

In spito of this reversal of popular opinion, it 'was unanimously taken for granted that America had committed suicide when it. came to her huge foreign market—the Spanish, German and Frenchspeaking countries. The reason for this opinion is obvious. Here, again, however, tho once despised " roaring shadow" again overcame the long odds. " The Broadway Melody swept France, Germany and oven Spain, as it had swept America and England. So did " The Singing Fool." Music, it appeared, had overcome obstacles of race and language. But this stato of things could not continue, for, though the singing-dancing type of picture, was popular, its popularity began to f;ide in America, tbe first market for Hollywood. Another way out had to bo found. And, with the announcement by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, that it will make two complete versions of " Sunkissed," Miss Vilrna Banky's latest starring vehicle, it seems that the way has been found. There are sonic interesting sidelights concerning tho duo-version film. Miss Bankv, while very shaky with her English, possesses an excellent knowledge of German—hence the star is safe, for the English version shows her with a strong accent. But, for tho rest of tho cast, the idea is not so fortunate. It simply means that two complete casts will have to be assembled, a very expensive and arduous plan, indeed. Some predict the day when full-fledged Hollywood actors and actresses will boast tongues that command two or even three languages besides English, but this is very far-fetched. The method that will be relied on, I believe, will be " faking" different voices in different tongues, inserted by linguists after tho film is completed. Say that " The Greene Murder Case," for example, plays to crowded houses in Naples. Mr. William Powell, as tho farseeing detective, will make his canny deductions in liquid Italian—but with the voice of a gentleman he has never met, much less heard. Then S. S. Van Dine's ta'e will go on to Spain—and again "Philo Vance" will snare the murderer, informing the pleased audience of his beliefs in fluid Spanish. Though it sounds unbelievable, it is very easily done. Even now most of the realistic sounds in talking newsreels are inserted at tho studio—scenes of mobs are always done that way, the cries of derision or enthusiasm being supplied by adaptable studio workers. The public is deceived, but the deception is a blameless and even praiseworthy one, for the- ultimate effect is probably much better, and certainly much cheaper, than the real thing. I am not sure of the Chinese and Japanese market. Whether theatre magnates over there will continue to rely 011 the painstaking and gifted interpreter who poses at the rear of the darkened hall and translates each protestation of the hero into fervid Chinese, spicing it up with various scathing criticisms at the film's expense, I cannot say Perhaps that gallant clan, too, will pass into oblivion before the merciless " canned voice," as have unnumbered hordes of organists and musicians. Their passing will be still another of the painful paymonts for progress.

In this latest move of the Hollywood studios, however, England and Germany have not been caught napping. They are making a determined bid for the bi-lingual market, releasing as their first gesture " Atlantic," produced both in English ami in German, and directed by Dupont, of " Variety" fame. Erich Pommcr, another well-known director, is now working on a film with three versions, English, German and French. The success of these first pioneering attempts will largely determine whether or not non-picture-pro-ducing countries, such as Spain, Japan, China, and all of South America will be able to show talking films, or whether they will have to continue to rely cn silent versions.

Incidentally, it is interesting to note that the first English " talkie," " Blackmail," has met with quite a warm success in New York. This is an unprecedented triumph for a film from London, and optimists on-the other side have been, according to report, greatly pleased by it. It is certainly high time that England met with popular success in the film-pro-ducing line; the "talkies" might possibly give'it to her, although her late setback with the old style of film will provo a great handicap, sinco new investors over there are very wary now of new English cinema companies. The complete collapse of most of the eagerlybought stock has been a costly warning.