“TALKING” PICTURES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16873, 9 February 1929, Page 8

“TALKING” PICTURES

A SUCCESS IN SYDNEY “A LONG STEP FORWARD” SYDNEY, Jan. 17. After weeks of booming the public of Sydney were encouraged to expect much from the “Talkies," and although if. is possible that the “talking” pictures are not everything that was claimed for them it can safely he said that the public was not disappointed. “Talkies” were shown for the first time at: two of tho leading theatres last Saturday and all day •great, crowds thronged both places. People were amazed at tlio measure of success that has been achieved. On all Iqmds it is recognised that a longstep forward has been made and that the “Talkies" have come to stay. The exhibitors exercised a judicious sense of restraint in presenting the initial programmes with a promise of greater things to follow. The “Talkies" have been such u, success in America that all the-lending producing companies are now (Turning their attention to them, so that there will ho no lack of subjects in the future, many of them on a much more ambitious scale than those now showing in Sydney. One “ Talkie " showing is “The Jazz Singer" and throughout the musical accompaniment of the picture is supplies! by the Cincsound device on the film itself, perfectly synchronised and of excellent volume. The story is specially written to give Al .Tolson, famous throughout America, an opportunity to-sing several popular jazz numbers in his inimitable style. According to the Sydney Morning Herald there persisted all the time a feeling that one was listening to an amplified gramophone. “And vet," says the writer—perhaps the unkind osier] tie of all—“the robust tenor of Hie cantor in the synagogue scene, singing the ancient ‘ Ivol Nidrei’ of his race, was reproduced in a -manner entirely satisfactory. The resonance of tone in a voice of remarkable quality j seemed to ring throughout the entire theatre. This synchronisation was j perfect. 1 The Jazz Singer,’ though admirable in some respects, empha- | sisod the impression that this novel j form of entertainment is on the brink ! of even, greater and more amazing j development." i