Evening star., 1930-11-30
FTER viewing q number o.

A Sound-that Is, sound YER
sions Of the old silent filmS-I am
inclined to the belief that the
noise has not added to the enter
tainment value of the pictures
This Is no slam at the talkieS, for
the latter are getting better and
better. In most instances, we
remember certain silent pictures
that were especially good; we do
not want to see these pictures
sound makes them more attrac-
tive. The memory Of them clings.
"Torable David" was one of the
best silent pictures. 1t almost
created a sensation when it was
exhibited several years ago. The
movie audience hailed the young
star, Richard BarthelmeSS-and
the picture made lasting impress
sion. The new version, accom-
panied by the voices of the
players, is well done, but it does
not give us the feeling of satisfac-
ton that we had after viewing the
first release. There may be a bit
Of sentiment in all this, but
would prefer to see the movie
magnates place their old stuff in
the studio vaults, then allow it to
rest there In peace. Perhaps it
could be taken out, busted off, and
exhibited to our children'S chill
dren's children as "the quaint
stuff Of the movie producers back
in the year $780," Even then, I
think, the first edition of "Tol'able
David" will be declared q good
picture.
CRITICISM of a motion picture
Is more or less a personal
opinion. AS a rule, no effort is
made to influence others by this
personal opinion. It resolves itself
down to the simple fact that one
person may go into raptureS over
a certain product; another may
dislike 1t heartily. The critic Of
the movies, however, claims to
have a certain preparation for his
work, background of study for
the opinions he types. He is
familiar, after a fashion, with
modes Of production and exhibi-
ton. His business Is not to in
f1uence others, but to give his own
opinion. He may be wrong, and
often he Is. Last week I voiced
an opinion Of "The Big Trail" and
stated that it might be another
Covered Wagon" but not nearly
so much Of a wagon. There was
no effort to take away from the
"bigness" of the picture. 1t is a
mammoth thing, a picture of vast
spaces; crowds of hardy pioneers,
and a record of untold hardShipS
but we had seen 1.-The Covered
Wagon" Therefore, the whole
elaborate panorama did not thrill
me as it was scheduled to do. My
opinion, naturally, raised an argu-
ment, and I have received some
letters. Maybe I am wrong. I
admit that. But, still, think I'm
right.
FROM the studios themselves
comes word that the pro-
ducers have resolved upon a
minimum Of dialogue in the pic
lures to come. When talk came
into the movies it hit the popular
fancy, but during the past year
or so there has been a complaint
that dialogue has slowed up the
visual action. The pictures be-
came too gabby, when they should
have had action. It is said that
the production heads have seen
the light; that the newer stories
are to be told principally for the
eye, and not the ear. Perhaps,
with dialogue taking a back seat,
the producers will be able to de-
vote more Of their time toward
action storieS-more honeSt-to-
goodness picture entertainment
The talky drawing room play
which can be a hit on the stage
may be discarded.
- %%*
CHICAGO theaters have been
trying out the idea Of exhibit
Ing two feature pictures on pro-
gram, instead of one. But the
scheme has fizzled. Audiences did
not seem to care for the plan,
and, also, there were not enough
good features on the market to
keep the theaters supplied. Two
mediocre pictures did not answer
the purpose; two pictures were an
overdose, according to polls Of
the various audiences, requiring
too long concentration. The CASH
paying public voted for quality,
not quantity.
THE musical pictures have been
having a rough road during the
past year, in spite of their glorious
advent into public favor. Very
few Of them are being planned for
the months to come, and many o.
the producers have dropped them
altogether. However, an attempt
will be made next year to bring
the musical pictures back in the
way Of shorts that is, one, two
and three reel pictures. Among
the producers and some of the
exhibitors, there Is q feeling that
the musical shows were not given
o fair chance; that they were
thrown to the public in large
quantities. Under more appro-
pirate auspices, the music may GO
over with the fans and become a
substantial part of photoplay
entertainment.
4
COMING to personalities, many
Of the men and women high
In the affairs of movieland speak
well OF the fact that Thomas
Meighan Is returning to the make
up box. This star dropped from
public view at the height of his
screen career. It seems that he
simply decided to quit his Job and
take life easy. However, the Fox
company has prevailed upon him
to play for the sound nictllres and