FILMS AND THE STUDIOS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 714, 13 July 1929, Page 9

FILMS AND THE STUDIOS

teuN'D" PUBLICITY—fyS'B of the many little probJems that have folloiced in Nte wake of talkiny pictures is now exercising the executives minds of trie New Zealand Government publicity Department. It centres round the sound and speech possibilities of Dominion publicity films. Today it may be said definitely that talkies have triumphed. They are passing successfully through the experimental stage, and theatres the world over are “wiring” as fast as apparatus comes to hand. Even now, silent films have a greatly restricted market. In the past, the department has had a generous measure of success in its endeavours to place films of New Zealand scenery and resorts in leading overseas theatres, particularly in Australia and England. Now the natural handicap imposed by the purely scenic nature of the subjects in greatly increased by the fact that they are silent. It is true that Australian exhibitors are being loyal to New Zealand and one or two publicity films are being shown in Sydney with locally arranged sound accompaniment. But, at best, that is a makeshift. It cannot last. The time is coming speedily when the department must either install talkie recording apparatus or face the loss of their film markets. Already the department is considering the position, and Western Electric is ready to co-operate. Experts slate definitely that suitable sound and talking scenic and general publicity films can be made. Undoubtedly there is but one course open to the department. It must take advantage of the excellent film connections already made and yet in quickly with good talkie subjects. They will cost more, but should be worth it.