THE TALKIE BOOM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17101, 6 November 1929, Page 6

THE TALKIE BOOM

SILENT FILMS HOLD OWN MR W. B. MILLER’S IMPRESSIONS That the sound pictures have certain-’ ly come to stay, but that the silent films will still have a place-in the world o! entertainment, is the impression gained by Mr., W. It Miller, who returned to crisUorne yesterday afternoon after an absence of nearly II years. Air. Miller lived for about 40 years in this town, but for more than 16 years he has teen in Australia and England, where ho has been an important figure in the motion picture world. For a number of years he was general manager of the Combined Picture Companies, including Spence’s Pictures, West’s Pictures, and the greater J. D. Williams Co., who controlled motion pictures in Australia. When his health broke down be went to England and the Continent, and was connected with several theatrical interests both in Aus- v tralia and London. England, he told a pressman to-day, was showing considerable improvement in the production of both silent and sound films, and had produced several pictures which had made a name in the world. He quoted the British film, “Blackmail,” which did remarkably well in London, and was much better than the much-boomed American production, “Bulldog Drummond,” of a similar nature. “The Englishmen are certainly turning out some good pictures,” he added, “and eventually they will be able to compete successfully with the Americans.” FUTURE PICTURE PROGRAMMES. “Yes, I certainly think the talkies have come to stay,” Mr, Miller said, when questioned on this / point, “and ultimately every picture house will be wired for their production. The installation is becoming reasonably cheap, and every theatre will be able to afford 18, but *do not think for a moment that the silent picture is done. Silent films, which many people thought were down and out, have scored a dramatic comeback both in London and New York. In some cases they are beating the marvellous box-office records set up during the early days of the talkie boom. “The Four Feathers,” for instance,” ' has surpassed the record scored at the same .theatre by ‘The Coconuts.’ ‘The Pagan’ has beaten the record made by one of its talkie predecessors, ‘‘The Broadway Melody.’ “The silent film, with sound effects, is proving itself a more powerful rival to the dialogue film, which is in grave difficulties. Although it is true that nothing succeeds like a good talkie, it is equally true that nothing fails like a bad talkie. There can be no compromise over the quality of talk. It mil's'-. ’ : e good. Talkies are tottering because there is a scarcity of good dia- , logro writers and a greater scarcity of A good dramatists. Another point is that \ a much better story can be told without dialogue. CHARLIE CHAPLIN. “It would be a mistake to think that the talkies will knock the silent films right out,” he went on. “The silent films, if they are good, will always have a vogue. The programmes of the future, after the talkies have reached almost a stage of perfection will be a mixture of talking and silent films. It is quite easy to show both on the same programme, and all ibig theatres in the large towns will still have their orchestras. The Empire Theatre, which is the best in London, has a symphony orchestra of 80 persons, and, for a run of five weeks with a talking film this theatre took £12,000 a week, which, l-y'' believe, is a record for any picture ' house. This theatre runs a continuous session from noon until, Tnidi.ight. The next programme was one of silent films, and the business was very little less. “The great question of whethei Charlie Chaplin will make talkies or not is still undecided," said Mr. Miller; when dealing with leading personalities in the picture world. Mr. Nathan Barlram, Mr. Chaplin’s lawyer, told me in London, just before I left, that Charlie at present is much against the talking films, but I think Mr. Chap, lin would be one of the greatest personalities in talking pictures. He has a pleasing voice, sings well, _ and dances excellently. Charlie Chaplin has been working on his present picture, ‘City Lights,’ for two years, and it is still far from being finished. He may or may not turn it. into a talkie. He is the greatest genius in the picture world to-day. and will decide that point for himself.”