Evening star., 1928-05-20

ing motion picture, PToS-
Il reSS with inventions has
not meen so rapid, however, al
though the perfected machine is
sure to arrive one Of these days
we can remember when the auto
mobile and the music machine
were crude affairs. 1t is possible
that we can still hear the laughter
that accompanied the first APP
pearance of these two important
inventions. But. in the passage
of the years. the automobile and
the music machine have been per-
feeted. 1t is the writer's opinion
that the talking movies OF the
future are TO be features of our
daily life. as are the autcmoblles
and music machines of today.
"Tenderloin," which one may
term the first real talking movie,
leaves much to be desired. In the
first place, the new talking photo
play cannot be made with the
usual studio cast. The picture
clearly shows that casts will have
to be selected as they are on the
can no longer be given an lmpor-
tant part on account OF his or her
physical appearance or panto-
mime ability. The voice will play
an important part--a very impor-
tant part-in the photoplays or
DAYS 10 come.
After a work of years, the in
ventorS have succeeded in syn
chronlzation. This was one OF the
bic difficulties to be overcome. IN
'sTenderloin" it would seem that
the greatest drawback is the lack
of real stage talent in the cast.
The talking picture will require
real actors: it will give them s
chance. The average photoplay
cast cannot produce a talking pic
ture.
The motion picture producers,
manufacturers Of electrical equip
ment and radio companies see a
big future for the talking picture,
and this fact cannot be considered
lightly. The Western Electric Co,
the American Telegraph g. Tele-
phone Co. and the Radio Corpora
ton of America own or control
valuable talking picture patents.
and recent news dispatches say
they have lined up many Of the
powerful producers. It is reported
that Paramount, Metro Goldwyn
and United Artists have already
installed talking picture equip
ment in their Hollywood studios,
and that they will introduce
sound in several of their coming
releases. This move viii not be
made in a half-hearted manner.
When the talking picture is per-
fected 1t will be screened and
heard all over the world: 1t viii
be as far ahead of the first inven-
tions as the automobile is OF the
first llorSeleSs carriage.
WILL HAYS, when the Vita
w phone was first presented in
New York, stated that its future
was "as far-fiung as all the to-
morrows." Since that time Met
ropolitan concert stars and con-
cert artists have appeared In
what has been termed the talk
ing pictures" Al Jolson'S Jazz
Singer" was an experiment, and II
has proved a milestone in Vita
phone history.
Warner Brothers announce that
from now on all their special pic
lures will be produced with an eve
to Vitaphone possibilities. BY
this it is meant that whenever the
opportunity Is present the pro-
ducers will use the talking movie.
They viii incorporate into a pic
ture sequences especially suited
either TO spoken dialogue. sound
effects or singing. "The Singing
Foolr has been selected as the
title Of Jols0n's new Vitaphone
nroduct, and Dolores Costello will
be seen and heard in two special
productions. Fannie Brice. the
stage star. viii also have a Vita
pf1n'1e role
Warner Brothers also announce
that they plan grand opera on the
vitanho1e. and they claim this TO
be the biggest stride Of the
Dhotoplay since its invention"
At least 1T will be an interesting
experiment, especially II well
ksaeN71 names are connected with
the productions.
Al JOLSON'S new picture, The
IA Singing Fool" is based upon
the stage play by Leslie 8. Bar
rows and G. Graham Baker. II Is
sai6 that Jolson himself is en-
thussagtic over its possibilities.
and that he Is given opportunities
70 strut nearly all Of his stage
stuff" The singing comedian has
.aiready taken up his residence in
Hollywood,
FIGURES. though they may be
l. somewhat dull. nevertheless
show the growth Of the motion
picture industry during The D2st
few years. II Is announced that
seven Of the leading producing
comDan!eg VIII soend two i7uy dred
million dollars or heir l922-I929
pictures. The producers are look
ing forward IN the biggest year In
the history Of the industry.
Il ". hURGAU, the German d.
rector. who recently visited
Washington. does not like visitors
around his Hollywood stucio. The
director ef tSunrisc," THE Last
Laugh and Faust likes 10 be
alone with his cameras and his
several hundred players. techni~
clans and assistants. Murnau is
now directing The Four Devils"
which will De a circus story. For
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