Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1928-Jan 1929)

About a year ago Hayakawa returned to America. He admits to homesickness — a nostalgia. He wanted again to come to the land where he had made his greatest success and where he had been so cruelly hurt. Before returning to pictures, he determined to discover to what extent his popularity had waned during his long absence. He tested this out in a coast to coast vaudeville tour, where he was the headliner, and played to packed houses. Wherever he went, he was enthusiastically acclaimed. THE COLONY IS KINDER YOU find things changed?" "Human nature does not change, but time mellows and softens our natures. Prejudices vanish like smoke. Today I find a broader, friendlier feeling. There is even a marked desire for Oriental pictures. They may become a fad. Dolores del Rio will play 'The Darling of the Gods'; Metro Goldwyn prepares a Japanese picture; Norma Talmadge considers 'Madame Butterfly'; 'A Japanese Nightingale' will be revived. Oriental pictures lend themselves to technicolor, moreover. They will be beautiful." "And sound? You will use sound in your pictures?" "I do not know. I am not sure. Perhaps sound to the extent of the roar of waves, the wind, native chanting, booming of bells and so forth, but as to dialogue — " He shook his head, sighed, troubled. "What do you think of the talkies?" "Hard to say. One should not express an opinion too soon. Any prediction premature. Much development will be needed. Stage plays are rehearsed two weeks, then played on road till the actors know their lines and their parts perfectly. In picture we rehearse but a day; then shoot. The players who must speak lines will be too conscious of their voices; they will fear their effect and grope for the lines. This doubt will register in their faces. Their minds instead of on their motions and the acting will be concentrated on their lines — unless very careful. The result might prove automatic, puppet-like, mechanical motions. The players will miss the guidance of the director, who may not speak, since his voice would register in the microphone. Ah ! We are but at the beginning." THE TICKLISH TALKIES HE pondered the matter, walking up and down a bit restlessly, as though troubled. "In my own case. Suppose I use speech in my picture. Then it must be pidgin English, since I speak with accent." He changed the subject abruptly. Began to talk of books — he is widely read; of golf — he is an addict, and says his idea of Nirvana is that moment when after a fine shot the ball drops into the hole. He talked of psychology; reincarnation, of his wife, who "makes things pleasant at my home," of his former scenarist, Eve Unsell — "A charming lady of great talent and beauty." (Incidentally, Eve Unsell has said of Hayakawa that he is one of the greatest actors the screen has produced — "a man possessed of that rare quality — genius!" Sessue Hayakawa has changed little since he left America. 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