Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

36 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD January 5, 1929 SOUND PICTURES Bucher Sees Great Progress in 1929 with New Photophone Studios NEW YORK, Jan. 2.— A particularly optimistic statement on the future of sound pictures was issued by E. E. Bucher, executive vice-president of R C A Photophone to herald the New Year. Not only did he expect further progress in the making of sound pictures, but he announced January 15 as the date for the completion of the new RCA studios in New York, the Gramercy Studio and Gramercy Annex. Bucher's statement follows: "R A C Photophone, Inc., stands at the threshhold of the new year with every confidence that the next twelve months will witness steady growth and development in the new art of sound-motion pictures. Although RCA Photophone, Inc. began commercial operations only in 1928, when the company was established, its present system of recording and reproducing sound TUESDAY rol'RIER-EXPRES 191,943 have seen Al . . . nee VTlie Sinpins Fool" opeutHl at the GrvHt Lakes thea t-r. 191.943 pepiftns have paid dmi*vU}n io see A I JoIkoii — nt) not one but prattled In* grvotteal pictnre Surely » recI There'* still ."> ttays left to ■ him and Ins wife, on llic me Kerecii program! HEAR JOLSON in "The Singing Fool" Opening Saturday MOTHER MACHREE' GREAT LAKES THEATER Note, the effective use of white space in this ad of H. M. Addison of the Great Lakes theatre, Buffalo, N. Y. (Special to the Herald-World) pictures represents nine years of experimental and research work in the laboratories of the pincipal factors in the radio and electrical industries of the United States. The new technique of sound recording and sound reproduction thus developed made possible a revolutionary system of recording sound on films as well as discs and reproducing therefrom. This system is now available through RCA Photophone, Inc., to producers and exhibitors throughout the nation. At the present time RCA Photophone sound reproducing equipment is installed in many leading theatres in the United States. It is aimed during 1929 to make 2,000 additional installations of the same character. The same installations already made have been hailed by musical and dramatic authorities, as well as by engineers and acoustical experts, as marking a new standard of reproduction in sound-motion pictures. "Beyond the quality of reproduction striking advantage, perhaps, from the standpoint of the exhibitor, is the simplicity of operation. So thoroughly standardized is RCA Photophone equipment that it is possible to train in a period of six weeks new personnel to operate the system. Similarly in the recording of sound motion pictures. Under entirely normal conditions it is rarely necessary to retake a sound recording by the RCA Photophone system. Generally a single shot is satisfactory. To motion picture producers this means a saving of thousands of dollars in production expenses. New 8 Radios Ready Soon "In the sphere of sound-motion picture production, it is significant to note that some of the most successful pictures of the present season have been recorded by the RCA Photophone system. Contracts for the production of sound pictures already have been signed with various motion picture producers, and other contracts await the completion of new sound motion picture studios, which RCA Photophone expects to have ready for production early in 1929. "The Gramercy Studio and the Gramercy Annex will be completed in New York by Photophone and they will have facilities second to none for the recording of ordinary films as well as of elaborate feature pictures. The new studio of R C A Photophone, Inc. is being built up on a scale great enough to record feature stage productions. It will be equipped with the latest technical devices for the making of sound pictures. In addition, there will be facilities for research and experiment in the many new problems which the art of talking motion pictures constantly presents. "With ample studio equiprrcnt reflecting the latest developments of the art, RCA Photophone, Inc. in 1929 will embark upon a forward-looking program in this field. This program will cover among other activities: "(1) The equipment of theatres throughout the country with the RCA Photophone system of sound reproduction; "(2) The maintenance of studio facilities for the recording of sound motion pictures, from newsreels and shorts to the most elaborate feature productions, to be made available to motion picture producers; "(3) The development of a series of important educational films of a new character through the RCA Photophone system of synchronizing sound and action on the film; "(4) The production of high-class sound pictures by RCA Photophone, Inc., with the view of introducing various new elements being developed in sound technique. Briefly, RCA Photophone plans for 1929 call for steady progress in every phase of the sound-motion picture industry, in the development of which we believe the radio and electrical industries of the United States can contribute greatly." A flock of small airplanes flying beneath the marquee was stationed by Bernard Thomas, manager of Loew's Vendome theatre at Nashville, to herald the appearance of Colleen Moore's "Lilac Time." First National production. Note also how the midnight election show^was bulletined.