Evening star., 1928-05-27
FLASHES
.HE weeks biggest piece Of
news of special interest 10
the motion picture world

NOR which issues from the heaC
offices of the Paramount organi-
cation. 1t has been known FOL
several months that the talking
movie was receiving special atten-
tion from the producers. and woro
arrives that Paramount, after this
year. plans no more silent films.
From Jesse L. LaSky, vice presi-
dent of Paramount, we hear that
1.-The day Of the silent drama is
drawing to close and that 1t is
quite likely that in the very near
future all productions made by
Paramount will be talking pic
lures"
LaSky reported, at a convention
In Detroit, that his organization
was working upon sound device
which would contribute a great
deal to the motion picture indus
try. He qualified his remarks with
a statement that much depended
upon the success of the new in
vention. but that the producers
were confident that it would
change things around IN the en-
tire industry.
Asked concerning the writing of
motion picture scenarios, LaSky
replied. Il certainly do not believe
that motion picture scenarios will
be written as plays for the legiti-
mate stage are now written. That
is. / do not believe the dialogue
will be continuous as on the stage.
The dialogue, believe, will be put
into the films where it is dramati-
cally effective. This will tend to
make the picture plays more dra-
matte and effective. In another
way. also, We will be able to effect
economies by its use. Let us con-
slider that we are filming a scene
where persons inside a house are
threatened by a mob howling
around the outside of the house.
On the stage that scene would be
produced by showing the persons
inside the room. and with sounds
off stage to represent the mob.
We must show it at present by
pictures of persons inside the
house. and then flashes of the
mob outside. This means that a
great nlanv extra people must be
employed for the mob shots. /
believe the same scene could be
produced more effectively by
scenes showing the persons cow
ering in the room, while the
sounds of the mob come to the
audience over the talking movie,
or whatever name you desire to
give to this new apparatus.
With one of the largest of the
producing companies actively en-
raeed with the talking pictures,
the handwriting is plainly visible
uron tl'e motion picture wall The
dav Of the silent drama" is about
over: the talking movie. nerfected
and smoothly produced, is almost
ready for screening.
WHILE the photoplay Dawn"
w which deals with the life and
death of Nurse Edith Caven, is
scheduled for New York produc-
ton May %. arrangements have
been made for a hearing before
Mayor Walker TO determine
whether the film is suitable for
production in the metropolis.
Otto II. Kahn who, during the
past few months has taken an
active interest in the photoplay
industry, and who was one of the
speakers at the recent Paramount
convention in Washington, an
nounces that he has resigned
from the Film Bureau, an unof-
fetal organization for the pro-
motion of motion pictures through
social organizations and clubs, be-
cause the bureau sponsored a
showing Of Dawn" In his state
ment, Mr.. Kahn says: II have
not seen the picture, and I un-
derstand it is reverently done, but
] deplore the use Of the pathetic
story and tragic end of a noble
woman for a sheer commercial
purpose "
While Dawn" has not been
screened TO any extent in England
and France, it is one of the movie
"best- sellers" in Belgium. In
Antwerp and Brussels the theaters
where it is being exhibited have
been crowded, and critics have
praised the film. In other coun-
tries ii has aroused some "embit-
tered comments" attracting at
tention from persons in all walks
Of life.
THAT the talking picture may
4 have its drawbacks Is entirely
possible, and one Of them is taken
up by one Of the readers Of The
Sunday Star in communication
TO this department. In part, the
writer says:
For many weeks / have been
reading your excellent columns on
the silver screen, and I have par
ticulariy approved Of your com
nentg on the subjects Of talking
movies. But one factor has been
uppermost in my mind since I
FIRST read Of the experiments with
audible movies, a situation which
] have never seen discussed In
connection with these develop
menbs. That lis, that the greatest
source Of entertainment for the
several million deafened adults
throughout the United States will
be rendered null and void. / used
~ be an enthusiastic deyotee Of
the legitimate drama. and the
Joss Of this great source of pleas
IRE incurred by my loss of hear
ing was sore trial. But ! was
able 10 find compensation In the
silent drama " a great extent
for despite the brickbatg cast at
the movies by cynical and sOphls-
tlcabed critics. ] have found, on
an average at least, one worth
q a. Z a