THE VERY LATEST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17081, 14 October 1929, Page 5

THE VERY LATEST

TALKIE PROGRAMME REGENT THEATRE ENTERPRISE So much has been heard of the marvellous new medium ol entertainment, the talkies, that if would seem the new tea-tore would have no surprises to offer. L'cople who, on holiday or business flips elsewhere, have had opportunities of hearing the talkies have created ii most favorable, atmosphere in Gis borne for the premiere of the new turns, but few of those who intend to see and hear tho talkies for the tirsl time to night- ian really appreciate the extraordinary nature of the change in the popular form of entertainment achieved by the introduction of speech and music

At a private showing of tho first talkie programme at the Regent Theatre, formerly the Palace, there were, present a number of residents whose opinions were sought by tho management, and the impression 'given by the new installation there was entirely favorable, indeed. highly enthusiastic. Some of those present'had "seen and heard" in other centres, and they were naturally more interested in the reproduction of the voices and music than in the fact that this was the first time the talkies had shown in Gisborne. The remainder of the small audience was composed of local residents who' had eagerly accepted the invitation of Mr. R. J. Kerriclge to witness the unofficial premiere, and who all had their own pre-defined opinions upon what the talkies were going to be like. Both classes among the audience, "were intensely pleased with tho show, the more experienced members by reason of the splendid reproduction, 'and tho. others by the manner iu which the sound-and-sighf pictures overtopped their preconceived ideas.

WELL-CHOSEN PROGUAMM E The. programme was a happily-chosen one, comprising' several "shorts" with a main feature regarded as one of the principal triumphs of the talkie studios, this being "The Canary Murder Case." It is easy to imagine the enthusiasm with which the new films were greeted on their first perfected appearance, for in those days only tho well-informed knew anything of the principles on which tho talkies operated. Even today, the entertainment thus provided is extraordinarily novel, though acres of newspaper and magazine space have been devoted to analyses of the methods and moods of the talking film production, and few members of the general public have failed to absorb some idea of the general principles on which they work. Two methods of sound synchronisation were employed in. presenting the programme, one being the sound-on-film Western Electric system and the other being the synchronised record method, used in connection with the "shorts," or minor features. It will bo some time before the public adjusts its focus to tho new importance of the minor features, as a maftSfe of fact, for with sound reproduction brSbght to near-perfection, it is' possible lo use subjects which prior to the advent of the sound films would have presented no value whatsoever to the movie world.

VAUDEVILLE'S BEST FEATURES. For instance, in. one "short" there are turns (interspersed with patter of a riotously funny kind which is bound to prove most popular with the patrons of the talkies. In a silent film, the actions of the artists would not be worth a flip of the lingers, but with the sound reproduction their turns are wonderfully entertaining, and it is hard indeed to remember that the eye is not resting upon a real stage with real actors. Jazz, first-class singing, and a marvellous trap, drum exposition arc included in this "short," while, the mews gazettes gain new interest with the recording of sound and voices. In one instance, the news camera is taken for a tour over NewYork by plane, and the impression of flying is greatly heightened by the drone of the engines and the occasional shouted remarks of the men who move about in the plane.

It is in the main feature, however, that the keenest impression of the value of sound reproduction is given. The story of the "Canary Murder Case" is in itself absorbing, powerfully acted, and produced on a basis that in the silent version would make it a very fine attraction. But as a talkie, it is almost perfect. The dialogue goes just far enough in its exposition of the various phases of the story, and while continuous never becomes obvious. The continuity is wonderfully maintained, and the hearer is never allowed to lose interest in the main theme of the story, the working out of which is breathlessly exciting. It is easy to prophesy that the talkies will prove in Gisborne, as elsewhere, an outstanding' attraction for the public.