PEOPLE AT WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 108, 8 May 1936, Page 10

PEOPLE AT WORK

GRACE MOORE’S VOICE Direct recording, such as Columbia is doing on “The King Steps Out,” Is a thrilling to watch. Outside the stage the red light constantly burns; visitors—even studio workers — are distinctly not welcome. Inside a symphony orchestra, its members in shirt-sleeves, sits befre music racks and before them stands Josef Pasternack, musical conductor. Over his ears are clamped a pair of ’phones, connected into the recording circuit. His critical ears are alert for the faintest error in rendition. In a soundproof overhead booth the recorder bends over his panels, adjusting, balancing and phoning instructions to his dew on the stage. Rehearsals, rehearsals, rehearsals —and then ready! Miss Moore takes her place, lights are given a final touch. Absolute silence descends until von Sternberg nod\s, the cameras roll, and, on signal, Pastern? ?k raps his baton on his stand and the event is under way. Aliss Aloorc’s thrilling voice breaks into song—and another recording is “in the can.'’ Follows a moment's wait until the “playback” comes through the big horns while all hands listen intently. There is a final {consultation—and it’s either done j again or pronounced perfect. To accomodate her friend, Grace I Moore, who was suffering from a throat i ailment, Gladys Swarthout rushed from I the “Rose of the Rancho” set to take I Grace’s place on her radio broadcast. ‘Grace listened in and enjoyed it just i | Hike a fan. Betty Burgess, youthful leading lady i 'for Paramount’s “Coronado,” will not , istart a scene without her good luck | /piece, a string of beads given her by I a high school boy. I