ROUND THE SHOWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 640, 17 April 1929, Page 15

ROUND THE SHOWS

Serving the "Talkies”

WORK BY WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY

Lead on World Markets

The Western Electric Company, of which the Western Electric Company (N.Z.).Xtd., is a subsidiary, developed, introduced and perfected the apparatus now being used in over 1,250 theatres for the showing of talking motion pictures, states Mr. J. H. Barker, general manager in New' Zealand. It also developed and supplied the recording

equipment being used by nearly all producers in the motion picture industry. It is installing theatre equipments at the rate of 250 a month and leasing these equipments on a time-payment plan involving in the aggregate the extension of credit in large sums to theatre-owners. It has developed a service organisation operating in every State in the United States and in other countries for the inspection and servicing of these equipments, and so reliable is the apparatus and so well has this organisation functioned that there has not been a single failure of performance because of apparatus. This work has been carried on at enormous expense and has involved the investment of millions of dollars 1 in factories, machinery, tools, inven-

tory and credits. Based on its own faith in the ultimate success of talking motion pictures, this company has assumed the risk that goes with a new undertaking of this magnitude. During this period it has not made a single move to hamper or in any way embarrass competitive efforts. It has all along maintained that the

sound pictures of its licenses should bo used only on theatre equipment which operates properly, reliably and efficiently to reproduce sound with adequate volume and quality equal to that obtained by the Lise of its own

equipment. Tlie company has a vital interest in the maintenance of this quality that no discredit may be brought either to it or to producers utilising its systems.

The Western Electric Company is incorporated in New Zealand, with headquarters in Wellington and branch service stations in the principal cities of the Dominion. It will undertake the work of installing and servicing talking motion picture apparatus on lines following the prin-

ciples and policies in force n Arne- . rica, where more than 1.200 theatres are Western Electric equipped out of a total of 1.220. The demand for "talkies” is not confined to New Zealand. The company mentioned has contracts for over 70 theatres in Australia, and equipments already installed there are providing interesting entertainment to increasing crowds of theatregoers. Western Electric has also made installations in the British Isles, in British India and Burma, in France and Germany, where the language difficulty has so far not interfered with the popularity of talking motion pictures in the larger centres of those countries. Plans for New Zealand include the training of New Zealand engineers, in the installation and servicing of apparatus. Regular calls are made by trained engineers so that the theatre manager is assured of reliable and efficient operation. The company representatives in Auckland are schooled in the policy of close co-operation with the theatre and the exhibitor contract provides for careful instruction of the projectionist before the opening of the sound programme and thereafter for a sufficient time to insure his skilled use of the apparatus. Theatres in Wellington, Dunedin, and other centres of the Dominion have already contracted for apparatus, which necessitates the establishment of service depots in these and* other cities where stocks of spare equipment will be maintained and an engineering staff provided. The Strand and New- Regent Theatres are the lirst New Zealand theatres to install Western Electric equipment, and the Plaza Theatre will follow in a few days. In all these theatres the apparatus furnished is the latest typo. Programmes will be presented that have met with great success in other countries. .

“REMEMBRANCE’’

A BRITISH LEGION STORY "Remembrance,” the British Legion film, relates the story of Jack Morgan, a miner, Alf. Harris, a builder, and Frank Laurier. a head clerk, who on the outbreak of war join up together. Jack and Alf. leave their wives and kiddies, and Frank leaves his sweetheart. While on leave a scandal is spread about Frank and Alf’s wife, which leads to a break when he returns. All three volunteer for a. raid, and all are badly injured, Alf being left for dead. His wife dies of shock, but Frank and his fiancee place the children in a British Legion Home. Finally Jack gets a job making poppies and Frank is cured of consumption at a Legion Hospital, while Alf, who turns up unexpectedly after suffering from loss of memory, is also looked after by them, and the reunion is complete. Rex Davis as Jack and Hay ford Hobbs as Frank are both excellent in their parts, while Alf Goddard as AIL Harris provides some excellent pieces of comedy characterisations.

"Sunset Pass” is the latest of the Zane Grey stories to be released by Paramount in motion picture form. The chief part is played by Jack Holt, Nora Lane having the feminine lead.