Certain noises, such as the firing of a bullet, will not reproduce on the screen unless a camouflage sound is used. We had to hunt about until we found a way to make a noise that sounded, paradoxically, more like a bullet than the bullet itself. No one can prophesy the future of sound pictures with any degree of certainty. From a musician's point of view, it seems to me that the addition of sound has been a great constructive step in bringing the best Broadway theatre orchestras to the smaller community. Every picture will have the best possible score, not merely a slapdash accompaniment used alike for comedy, tragedy, or melodrama.
Sound effects lend an air of authenticity and realism to hundreds of situations.
Talking pictures have attracted much favorable and much adverse comment and must work out their own destiny. Technical perfection in recording is very near, and one must remember the far greater scope and popular appeal of such films as contrasted to the theatre. But we are past the point where they can hope to succeed through novelty alone. The quality dialogue picture must be judged by exactly the same standards as the silent film or the stage play. Dr. William Axt is a musician and composer of note, having conducted at the Manhattan Opera House, under the regime of Oscar Hammerstein, as well as for some of the more stupendous productions directed by Morris Gest.