Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

January 19, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 35 New Sound Device of German Company Is Tested in Berlin (Special to the Herald-World) BERLIN, Jan. 5.— (By Mail) — First demonstration has been given of a new unified reproducing device for sound pictures by the Tonbild Syndikat Company (Tobis). This does not require a special projector, it is pointed out, but consists of a very small and simple attachment which can be installed in a few hours in addition to any usual German cinema-projector, together with amplifiers and loudspeakers specially designed by Tobis, providing an excellent reproduction of speech, music and effects. The Tobis device is running usual films of normal width, bearing the sound track inside the sprocket-holes. Interchangeability is claimed with any English or American sound-on-film system like Movietone, Photophone, Cinephone, Phonofilm and so on. The Tobis people showed, after a number of their own recently produced sound subjects, also three reels of American origin. Tobis is now wiring five big houses in Berlin, Hamburg, Diisseldorf, Leipsic and Munich at a comparatively low price and continue the installations from February at a rate of 50 sets a month. If Public Wants 'Em We'll Do 'Em, Says Brenon in Detroit (Special to the Herald-World) DETROIT, Jan. 15.— Herbert Brenon, director, admits that he's puzzled by the rapid rise of sound pictures. Here last week for personal appearances with "The Rescue," starring Ronald Colman and Lili Damita, and showing at the United Artists theatre, Brenon had this to say: ,;This talking picture thing has me at the crossroads and I hesitate to take a step for fear it will lead me in the wrong path. Personally, I believe the stage and motion picture are two separate and distinct mediums and it would be better for both to keep within their own limits. ''However, the appeal of talking pictures to the public has every person in the film industry guessing. I regret the issue is here, and frankly I am afraid to face it. I would much prefer to go on making silent pictures, but if the playgoers want the 'talkies,' I suppose I will have to try my hand at the audible films." West Coast to Install Sound in Butte Theatres (Special to the Herald-World) BUTTE, Jan. 15. — A total of $100,000 will be spent here in the next five months by the West Coast Theatres company, redecorating and installing sound equipment in two houses. The largest expenditure will be made on the Parkway theatre. West Coast will spend $30,000 remodeling the interior of this house, an additional $25,000 in installing vitaphone and movietone equipment. The house will be opened in April. Vitaphone and movietone will also be installed in the American theatre. Manager of the houses will be Harry Stone, present manager of the Rialto and American theatres. EMBARRASSING MOMENTS When you thought you were slipping in quietly from the stag party . . . be nonchalant I. . . LIGHT A MURAD. They taste just like they did 20 years ago. Recording Laboratories Offers Two Devices; W. M. Brown Is Head (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Jan. 15. — William M. Brown has been named president of the newly organized Recording Laboratories of America, which will offer a synchronous device under the name of the Phonoscope, and non-synchronous equipment named the Audiotone. Both devices are being demonstrated at the company's laboratories. be particularly adaptable to the exacting requirements of recording and producing sound pictures. Disc Method Used The company's engineers, after a long study of every phase of the sound picture industry, perfected the synchronous and non-synchronous talking picture devices, using the disc method, interchangeable with all outstanding disc systems. The company will produce a series of short length talking picture novelties at the standard 33 1/3 speed and a synchronizing service is offered to independent producers who require a synchronized musical and sound score. William M. Brown has been assistant to the president of a large industrial concern in Canada in which a large interest is held by the du Pont de Nemours company. He also heads William Brown and Company, Inc., parent company of Recording Laboratories of America. Jess Smith Vice President Jess Smith, former First National producer, is vice president of Recording Laboratories and studio production manager, and Jordan M. Cohan is secretary. Recording Laboratories of America has obtained a long term lease on a studio and offices at 216-218-220 East 38th street, New York city. These premises are declared to