Strand Will Present Sound Pictures

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 640, 17 April 1929, Page 16

Strand Will Present Sound Pictures

“The Street Angel” and Short Features

Of distinctly sensational nature is the announcement by the Strand management that, to oe presented tomorrow, in addition to the talking picture, “Street Angel,” is the latest and greatest Fox Movietone achievement —the recording of the voice of his Majesty King George V. of Dugland, in his last public speech prior to his serious illness —the official opening of the new Tyne Bridge. After diplomatic hesitancy and delay, his Majesty personally approved this history making recording for Fox Movietone News, which is now released as approved personally by the King. A number of technical departures introduced into “Street Angel” by director Frank Borzage will be observed when this new Fox picture, cofeaturing Janet Gay nor and Charles Farrell, is seen and heard at the Strand Theatre, where it opens on Thursday. Various problems in photography had to be met. The technical treatment suggested itself to Borzage from the nature of the story, which is based on a play by Monckton lioffe. The narrative centres about a little Italian street waif foi*ced to flee from the police*, and to take refuge with a travelling circus, where she meets with a wandering painter, and proves liis artistic inspiration. Its locale is Naples and environs. Since Naples is a city of towering houses and dim courtyards, this put the thought into Borzage’s mind of photographing much of the picture in a twilight state of illumination. He and his camera-men had to take particular pains that, in achieving this subdued effect, they would not at the same time blot out the features of Miss Gaynor and Farrell. Their aim was toward an almost contradictory mingling of obscurity and clarity, with high lights and silhouettes to bring out the features without making them too sharp. Moreover, as Naples is a seaside city, and much of the action of the picture took place along the waterfront,

the logical step was to introduce mist effects into the picture. Borzage made frequent use of This opportunity, swathing many of the scenes heavily in vapour, with ships and winking mooring lights showing through. The “Los Angeles Times” said of “Street Angel”: “Miss Gaynor’s appeal is radiant. She showed the rarest sensitiveness. Farrell’s portrayal seemed to me one of the best he has offered. “Street Angel” is a pretty lovo story, made haunting and alluring by the melodies of Italy, the spell of pictorial beauty, and of tender romance. The sentiment of the picture is greatly enhanced by the presence of the co-stars. It is their particular victory. The settings are unusual in their reality, and add greatly to the atmosphere.” Other sound pictures on the new programme will he a Fox Movietone Gazette, an all-talking comedy, "The Star Witness,” and items by Gertrude' Laurence, the fascinating English comedienne, and by George Bernard Shaw, the world’s outstanding literary genius, who will talk to the audience direct from the screen. “TALKIES” IN ENGLAND TRAINING THE OPERATORS Flans for the first recording channels to be set up by an American concern outside of the United States are now being drawn for British Dominion Films Corporation. Mr. J. L. Reynolds, who recently arrived in Eng- , land to supervise foreign recording in- 1 stallation activities, is in charge. Twelve draughtsmen are now working on the plans and an early start on building operations is anticipated. Theatre installations in the British Isles in February last numbered 11. A training school has been established at Bush House and is in full operation. The present class consists of 26 men.