Kinematograph year book (1928)

228 The Kinematograph Year Book. " Movietone " and the " Vitaphone " — the latter perhaps the most popular instrument of its class in America — are controlled over here by Western Electric. A successful private demonstration of the " Vitaphone," which is based on the gramophone principle, has also been given in London, but difficulties of one sort or another have prevented its further introduction. Another system which has been announced is the Gaumont BritishAcoustic, which made its first public bow as an effects machine on the legitimate stage. It is said to be an adaptation of an invention by two Danes, Poulsen and Petersen, the sound record being produced photographically on a separate strip of film, the reproduction being synchronised with the screening of the picture from another projector. In addition to these machines which provide scores of vocal sound set synchronously to the action there are a number of instruments made for the electrical reproduction of gramophone records. This is performed either by self-contained units, such as the" Panatrope," the " Reprovox," "Magnatone," or by assembled parts used in conjunction with the ordinary gramophone. These comprise an electric magnetic pick-up, such as is supplied by the Igranic Company, Graham Amplion or G. Brown, a valve amplifier and one or more loudspeakers. The success of the " Panatrope " has been one of the phenomenons of the Trade. Introduced purely to provide gramophone interludes, the proprietors, British Brunswick, quickly enlarged its utility by indicating how complete film scores may be arranged for gramophone records. This service proved so popular that even in musical Yorkshire no fewer than 40 kinemas have superseded their orchestras by this form of " mechanised music." Effects records are now being produced which give the exhibitor a wide variety of easily attained effects. One of the most successful demonstrations given in this connection was at the presentation of the animal film " Chang " at the Plaza, when gramophone records taken of animal noises at the London Zoo amplified on a Graham Amplion installation materially assisted the presentation. MUSICAL DIRECTORS' ASSOCIATION. In the world of kinema music, the most important happening is the formation, following a series of meetings in London and various provincial centres, of a Kinema Musical Directors' Association within the Faculty of Arts, with Louis Levy as president and Moreton Hutcheson as secretary. These meetings have focused attention to the need for the re-drafting of the jorm of musical cue sheets, of which there has been much criticism, among them being the complaint that new films were too closely fitted, the setting being unsuitable for small provincial orchestras. It was urged that alternative cue sheets should be provided, and that as soon as practical musical scores should be sent out with each film. The appearance of Sir Landon Ronald as musical director of " Faust 's at its Albert Hall screening was a musical event and led to the discussion in the lay Press of the merits of the kinema orchestra. In a speech to the " Bumpers," Sir Landon Ronald suggested there should be some liaison between the music and the art of production, and that more attention should be paid to the use of the old masters. The difficulties of these suggestions were convincingly pointed out by George Antoney, of the Stoll P.Ff. In November another eminent musician, Sir Edward Elgar, conducted at the Plaza Trade show of " Land of Hope and Glory." In March many kinemas celebrated with appropriate programmes the Beethoven Centennial, which was drawn attention to in the Kim. columns by Sir Hugh Allen. Song tie-ups have become very popular and are largely used as prorogues. " Charmaine," the song of " What Price Glory," published by Worton David, has won success even in circles wider than the kinema industry.