THE “TALKIES”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 546, 26 December 1928, Page 7

THE “TALKIES”

Disturbing Factor for Theatres MR. H. HAYWARD’S VIEWS “The ‘talkies’ are a very disturbing factor. They have produced an uncertain element in the whole of the entertainment business. This is not only affecting the motionpicture business, but it is viewed with a certain amount of anxiety by those controlling the legitimate stage.” Mr. Henry Hayward, managing director of the Fuller-Hay ward Theatres, who returned yesterday by the Ulimaroa from Sydney, made the above remarks on the latest film development, the talking film. He has been to Australia on a combined business and pleasure trip, and from his remarks one gathered that the advent of the talking film had created a certain amount of consternation among the theatrical folk across tb® Tasman. Mr. Hayward said that his firm proposed to instal the talking film in three theatres . in New eZaland —one each in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. He could not say definitely when they would be ready as the mechanics who are at present engaged on the installations in Australia will also carry out the work in New Zealand. “The shadow over the entertainment world at present is mechanical,” said Mr. Hayward. “We do not know what will happen. It may be that in time private houses will have their own ‘talkies.’ Such a thing is quite possible, though not for some years to come. “The talking film is very costly, each installation running into £5,000. This, of course, will prevent it from going into the smaller theatres until it becomes cheaper. The tendency at present is for the talking film to go into only the first-class picture theatres. In Sydney the new entertainment is going into the Prince Edward, one of the three leading film theatres there, and the advertisements state that the ‘talkies' shown there will not be exhibited at any other theatre in Sydney nr the suburbs. “This advent of mechanism into the entertainment world is disturbing even the legitimate theatres. My own personal opinion is that it will be years before the ‘talkies’ become a perma-

lent entertainment, and then only as a sister art to the silent picture, which :hey will not supercede.”

Mr. Hayward, in recalling tl,*e feeble efforts of the cinema of 20 years ago, said that criticism of the “talkies” must be very cautious. Time would probably place them in a prominent position as entertainment. The question was whether they would ultimately displace the legitimate stage and whether people would be content with a replica

of the big London and New York musical comedy and operatic successes, or would they still desire the personality of the living artists? With the restlessness in the minds of the public because of the mechanical development in entertainment, there was a tendency to support only the best shows in the legitimate theatres. During his visit Mr. Hayward found that 19 of the legitimate theatres in Australia were temporarily closed. The three big picture theatres In Sydney—the Prince Edward, the Capirtol and the Regent—were doing very well. Another elaborate picture house, the State Theatre, was in the course of construction. It would cost £400,000. There was a tendency to get away from the “atmospheric” theatre, and the State will be on classical lines. “The general tendency of the people is for a dignified class of theatre,” said Mr. Hayward. “This is more restful and not so obtrusive. Our two new theatres, one in Wellington and one in Christchurch, will both be of classic design. One of my reasons for going to Australia was to make a final decision on this point.” Speaking of other entertainment in Sydney, Mr. Hayward said that the once popular tin-hare racing was now dead.