PICTURE MINUS SUB-TITLES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16987, 10 March 1923, Page 7 (Supplement)

PICTURE MINUS SUB-TITLES

AN ENGLISH TEST. An excellent test of how far a mov mg picture play appeals to the iunda mental springs of human sensibility irrespective of creed, or race, shouk be furnished by a film which has jus been completed by Mr Henry Lei wards (.writes a London critic). Witi the exception of the title of the pin:

and the names of the members of the citst, nob a single word appears on the screen to explain what is happen ing. Mr Edwards has, in fact, so: himself the very difficult task of pro ducing a moving picture play for cho Hepworth Company which is really a play in pictures alone, all sub-titles having lieen rigorously banned.. To nirive at this result. Mr Edwards, who is net only the producer, but the author of the play as well, sas*s he iiao to visualise his ideas, to think in pictures, instead of in words, which is. probably, the goal towards which at: film production is tending. This inot the first time a similar attempt has been made, but in most, if nob ir all. of the films which have hithert* claimed to dispense with sub-titlos various subterfuges have been resorteto. in order to supply the deficiency including, in one case, a clock, th hands of which were periodically moved, and. in another, an almanac widen If it turns out that Mr Edwards ha 4 showed the various changes of date.

succeeded in his object, as he is convinced he has, he will have given a new directive to the film playwright. Ifc may be urged that, in the case of a film without sub- titles, there is n > guarantee that each spectator may not put his own interpretation on the story. Ig this, however, necessarily, a drawback? The same music certainly has not an identical effect on all who hear it. and yet each individual may derive acute pleasure from listening to it.