“TALKIES" HOLD BIG AUDIENCE SPELLBOUND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18786, 15 June 1929, Page 2

“TALKIES" HOLD BIG AUDIENCE SPELLBOUND.

“ the BELLAMY TRIAL ” IS AMAZING PIECE OF PRODUCTIVE GENIUS.

It is terrifically hard to form a. conception of just what the “ Talkies ” will be like in a few years' time. Last night at the Theatre Royal a crowded audience sat back in comfort and enjoyed songs by famous artists and the music of a world-renowned orchestra. And instead of fixing their eyes on the aperture of radio loud speaker or gramophone tone chamber, they had the artist and the instrument right there before their eyes. It was all rather marvellous, and not even the most complacent person of this inventive age could fail to be impressed. When one adjusted oneself to the tew entertainment, the next great Impression was one of astonishment. Astonishment at the remarkable strides that have been made in the actual mechanics of the “ Talkies.” In the front of the programme last night was a little introduction by Mr Beaumont Smith, cue of the directors, and in it he emphasised the fact that the new entertainment was in its infancy, and that at this stage little defects that crept in through unfamiliarity should be condoned, in the same way that one pardons the unintentional faults of a child. Any commonsense audienee would appreciate that point of view, and the folk at the Theatre Royal last night did. Many of them, probably, went out of sheer curiosity, and at the outset their attitude was one of extreme interest rather than destructive criticism.

The way in which that interest quickly ripened into unbounded admit at ion was marvellous. The secret was That the Talkies,” as shown at the Theatre last night, appeared to be the result of a decade’s application rather than the fruits of an experiment first hit upon a bare two years ago. To begin with, there was a news reel which enabled one to hear as ■well as see the events taking place. The photography comes out well nigh as perfectly on the special “Talkie” screen as on the silver screen of silence. With sound reproduction, the standard that has been achieved is remarkable. Not only was there no strain whatever imposed on the audience in catching the words, but inflection and expression came in beautifully.

First after the news reel came some short items. One calls then items, because, with the singers there and their voices so clear and melodious, it seemed just like the real thing on the music-hall stage. Joseph Regan, Irish-American tenor of deserved Renown, came on the screen (one had nearly said the stage), and sang' two little songs. ITis excellent voice came without any distortion. and in perfect tone. It was a revelation. Miss Ella Shields, in masculine attire, was the next singer, and her voice was reproduced -wonderfully, though the tone was deepened a little from the soprano. Johnny Marvin, with a ukulele, sang several little songs, and his personality was as apparent as if he had been there in person. A great part of the vocal programme was the little series of songs sung by Gus Edwards, and having their scenes portrayed on the screen in teclinicolour. The colouring gave a splendid effect, and again the singing came through wonderfully. The second half of the programme was occupied with “The Bellamy Trial.’ It. is the straightout portrayal of a murder trial in an American Court, and as each witness gives . testimony the screen takes one to the place of the incident. It is amazingly well done, and the plot of the trial is commendable in its senationalism. its relieving smattering of humour, and in its humanity. The first half of the picture is accompanied by soft music and synchronised sound at times, but the dialogue is flashed on the screen in the accustomed manner. Then, when the story has a hard grip on the interest of the audience, the talkie effect is introduced, and the characters really live before the listeners. The words come through very well, and the effect they give to a film of this description needs to be witnessed to be appreciated. It is a revelation. There can be little doubt but that its popularity with the audience last night is only the forerunner of an immense success for Talkies. “The Bellamy Trial” had all the dialogue that one looks for in a good play, and the notion is more free, and can assist the imagination in such n manner that nothing is lost. Every whisper in the crowded Court room was heard, and the strain on the principals subtly communicated itself to the audience, holding them spellbound.

The programme will be repented this evening and for a season thereafter, and it is a certain prediction that the Theatre Royal -will be a very full theatre while this exceptional entertainment holds sway.