UNIVERSAL FILMS

Southland Times, Issue 20627, 7 March 1929, Page 5

UNIVERSAL FILMS

FORTHCOMING PRODUCTIONS.

ADVENT OF THE TALKIE. Mr W. A. Malone, special Head Office representative of Universal Films, Sydney, has been on a visit of business to Invercargill during the last few days. In the course of an interesting chat with a representative of this paper, Mr Malone gave it as his opinion that the talkie picture is certainly a revelation. Although the talkie had been a huge success in Sydney, Melbourne picturegoers had not taken them up in the same way. Nevertheless theatres with the talkie were doing good business.

Mr Malone maintains that a great many people will still like the silent pictures, even when they have heard the talkies, “The policy of my company (Universal),” Mr Malone said, ‘‘has been always to judge each story by its entertainment value, and we believe that this year’s pictures which we are offering the public contain entertainment at its best. Of course we have our talkie pictures too, and already have the distinction of landing the first all talkie in Australia, ‘The Melody of Love,’ with a cast of leading Broadway musical comedy stars, Walter Pidgeon and Mildred Harris, being the star players. Our next in order of sound pictures is ‘Lonesome,’ featuring Glen Tryon and Barbara Kent. This picture is one of the most remarkable it has been my lot to see and hear, as it has as a background Coney Island, the playground of New York, and the realistic effects are simply astounding.” Regarding other coming pictures, Mr Malone had the following comments to make: “The Man Who Laughs.”—A story from the pen of Victor Hugo and which will soon be seen in Invercargill. It has been described by leading critics as a second “Hunchback of Notre Dame.” The main players are Conrad Veight and Mary Philbin, and they put over some very effective work. “The Last Warning.”—Laura La Plante is featured in this picture, which is said to be the greatest thriller since the “Cat and the Canary.” “The Michigan Kid” is also a very fine story of Alaska, featuring Conrad Nagel and Renee Adoree. “The Girl on the Barge,” with Sally' O'Neill and Jean Hersholt, “Give and Take” from the screaming stage comedy featuring George Sydney and Jean Hersholt, “The Cohens and the Kellys” featuring George Sidney and Mack Swain; Reginald Denny in a series of four brilliant comedies, “Red Hot Speed,” “The Night Bird,” “Clear the Decks,” .“Partners for the Night.” Laura La Plante in “Home James,” “Dangerous Dimples” and “One Rainy Night” follow in order. Then comes Glen Tryon, who is now’ more popular than ever, in a series of comedies including “The Gate Crasher,” and “The Kid’s Clever.” Following these is Lewis Stone in a very outstanding attraction, “Freedom of the Press,” which ought not to be missed. “Honeymoon Flats,” the famous Saturday Evening Post story, “The Charlatan” (Conrad Veight), “Silks and Saddles,” a story of the turf. “From this,” concluded Mr Malone, “it will be seen that the future looks rosy for us, and as I stated at the beginning, the basis of success in this business is good entertainment, and there is no doubting the fact that we’ve got the stories and the players. This is my first visit to Invercargill, and believe me, it will not be my last. You have a very fine town, your wide streets especially catching my eye.”