Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-20
Flashes From the Screen
BY c. r. NELSON.

ton is not actually new. That is. the
inventors have been working upon the
idea since the first days of the motion
picture. They were of the opinion
that the speaking voice and the action
pictures could be placed lin STEP" and
that there was a solution to the prob
lem. Thirty years later .he Vitaphone
is said to be perfected, and that 1t may
revolutionize he,mOtion picture indus
try All that, of course, remains to
be seen.
The system by which the Vitaphone
is operated represents successful COM
bination and conversion to photoplay
use of three major research develop
ments The first is the electrical sys-
tenn of recording, a method which EN-
ploys high-quality microphone. cleo
trio simplifying apparatus and rec
ord-cutting mechanism. The actors
need not be crowded about a micro
phone when the records are made
The second feature is an electrical re-
producer which converts the move
ments of a needle in the grooves of a
sound record into electrical vibrations.
The electrical currents from the device
pass into an amplitier and then OPP
crate a high-quality loud transmitter
capable of filling a motion picture
theater.
The third feature is the link between
the reproducer and the audience. An
adaptation of transmitter system
makes it possible to pick up electrical
vibrations from the reproducer, am
Dlify them and, by means of properly
located loud tranSmitters. transform
them into sound. The lOudnesS is so
regulated as to give the illusion that
the source is the actors whose pictures
appear on the screen. In the case or
musical programs, an especially con-
structed loud speaking telephone
transmitter insures the correct values
and gives natural tones.
4 x x
ONCE in a while one hears of an
~ actor or an actress stealing the
show or the screen production. The
star does not shine, but one of the
minor characters helps himself to the
limelight. making the hit of the pro
duction. But it is not often that a
minor picture. chaser steals the
attention of movie audience. In a
Washington theater during the past
week a feature picture was billed and
one of the "short-reel subjects 60
rilla hunt, was exhibited to fill in the
program. The hunt picture was the
hit of the bill; it appropriated the large
share of the attention and was clear
case of stealing" the show.
DICHARD BARTHELMESS recently
N broke q small bone in his foot
while playing tennis at his Beverly
Hills, Calf. home, and work has been
stopped on his new picture, The
Patent Leather Kid"
Paramount announces that con-
tract has been signed whereby
Famous Players will distribute in all
parts of the world, except the United
States, a film which Sir Harry Lauder
is to make. The picture will be
called "Huntingtower," and the work
of production will take place in Lon
don and Scotland. The story was
written by the novelist, John Buchan,
and it details series of adventures
around an old castle.
Lynn Reynolds has been announced
as the director of Edna Ferber's
'tShow Boat" 1t is claimed that
every director in the motion picture
business was after the assignment.
Reynolds has been directing for the
past Is years.
The Navy Department is co-operat
ing in the production of THE Big
Gun" which will be directed by Irwin
Willat, who started his screen career
with the old Imp company.
Giovanni Martinelli. dramatic tenor
of the Metropolitan Opera Co., has
signed with Vitaphone for the next
three years. Roger Wolfe Kahn,
orchestra leader, will also produce
some of the records for the loud
speaking movies.
The next picture produced with
Bebe Daniels as it's star will carry the
title, "Senorita.
George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor
have the principal roles in Sunrise,
picture recently completed at the
Fox Studios.
Tully Marshall has been cast for
an important role in THE Trail Of
49," The exteriors are to be taken
at Corona, Colo. Tully plays the part
of Salvation Jim.
Francis x. Bushman plays the part
of George Washington in a Color.
craft effort. 1.-The Flag" Enid Ben
nett has the role of Betsy Ross.
Charles Ray is to have the lead in
the Leatrice Joy picture. Vanity
Claire Windsor has the leading femi
nine role in the Jackie Coogan pic
ture, THE Bugle Call Colleen
Moore's next starring vehicle will be
called Naughty But Nice" Marjorie
Daw has been selected to play oppo-
site Tom Mix in OUTLAWS of Red
River"
Filming a motion picture directly