NEW MUSICAL ASPECT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 105, 4 May 1929, Page 6

NEW MUSICAL ASPECT

REVOLUTIONARY “TALKIES” MR HAYDON BECK’S VIEWS That “talkie” films will revolutionise the musical aspect, in so far as picture theatre orchestras are concerned, is the opinion of Mr Beck, now touring as the conductor of Sir Harry Lauder’s orchestra. In an interview with a “Chronicle’’ reporter on Friday Air Beck referred to conditions in the Sydney theatres and main places of amusement in Australia, pointing out vhat the advent of the “talkie,’ ’coupled with the adoption of American Ideas of stage presentation, had made a stratling change —one that was likely to spread. In Sydney they had got beyond “the old ideas,” and had a full jazz band on the stage, with a permanent conductor who boasted the title of “Alaster of Ceremonies.” Scenic, choral and ballet effects were introduced and the general run of theatre entertainment had become Americanised, The contrast in New Zealand was very markoil. They had the old style here. Perhaps that would change in time. Good and B ’ “Talkies.” Referring .particularly to films, Air Beck said there were good and bad “talkies,” but, personally, he thought they opened up wonderful possibilities. He visioned pictures of the opening of the British Parliament, with speeches from the King of England and all the State dignitaries lending a realistic note; State scones in Aladrid, Paris, New York, all enhanced in value because of the reproduction of the actual words used by the principal figures. “At present the ‘talkies’ have caused a depression in Australian theatrical musical circles,” Air Beck added. “They and the changed ideas of musical presentation.” He thought that ,in the end the advent of the “talkies” would ■ can that the standard of picture theatre orchestras would be raised. People would accustom themselves to hearing the finest orchestral m-’sic in the world through the medium of the “talkie,” and would never be satisfied to go back to the old style of a theatre orchestra of ‘’our or five members. The modern film house orchestra would have to be highly trained, complete in every respect and letter perfect. Air Beck went on to refer to colour photography, which was being developed rapidly in the film industry in America. That, he said, combined with the third dimension depth and the “talkies,” would completely revolutionise the film world. Colour photography opened up a vista of beauty for the future.