1941-02-01 — Page 15

MOON OVER BURMA

miņus Dorothy Lamour- sarong, but clad in consis- tently flimsy attire through- out to display her figure- provides the romantic in- terest for two husky males to battle over in "Moon Over Burma," now showing at the Queen's and Alham-. bra.

When a girl is needed for a story with a tropical set- ting, the custom in Holly- wood is to provide a native beauty or a stranded show girl. The latter was selected for this picture which has as back ground the teak forests behind Rangoon.

All the familiar ingre- dients of sex conflict and jungle hazards are included in the script..

Robert Preston and Pres- ton Foster operate a lumber camp for the blind owner, Albert Basserman. The tough job of getting the logs out on time is handi-¡

by lack of

native wages and provisions. Revolutionary

Saturday,

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

"

New "Fantasound' Developed for

for Disney Picture

There Foster falls for her. City, unveiled an entirely new type of motion Site of Spring: Beethoven's "Sixth Sym-

February 1, 1941.

MUSIC HATH CHARMS?

Thousands of people pay well Ito hear screen stars sing from the screen, the concert stnge and radio, but when Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Alice Faye, Bing Crosby, Deanna Durbin; Allan Jones and the rest of filmdom's singers start 're- hearsing the songs which make famous, fellow-workers keep away.

them

Because, except from the purely professional and technical point of view, It's about as much fun to hear these stars doing [their vocal scales and exercises [as it is to be present at a piano- tuning session.

When Lawrence Tibbett was [doing picture work and rehears- ing for such pictures as "The Rogue Song" and "Cuban Love Song," he used to delight in let- ling off steam at full blast until microphones outside the room terally rattled. The power of the Tibbett lungs was terrific. Another of his favourite tricks. was shattering water glasses. with the vibrations of his high notes. But such stunts weren't calculated to draw the same nu- dience which attended his con- certs,

Nowadays, Nelson Eddy does all his rehearsing at home, not having a plano in his Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Preston falls for the

dressing-room. It's easier on the nerves of such fellow-occupants of stranded American enter-j

the men's quarters as Clarke. Gable, the hall; Spencer Tracy. tainer in Rafgoon, and The first public showing of Walt Disney's musta to be featured. The selections finally chosen, in neross brings her to the camp. Faitasia," in the Broadway Theatre, New York addition to Dukas work, were Bach's "rocenta and William Fowell, Lionel Barrymore

Fugue in D Minns': Tschaikowsky's "Nutcracker Suite"; and Robert Taylor.

Ponchielli's ballet music, "The Dance of the Jeanette MacDonald, who occupies And so, ladies and gentle- picture sound recording and reproduction, which

"Moussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountains", and the opposite dressingroom in the projects a complete third-dimensional effect of

Schubert's "Ave

women's quarters, still vocalizes for men, a motion picture story sound and music. It is expected that within a

Maria". The studio dispatched a crew of technicians and half an hour each day before going to is born.

few years all lending theatres, in order to show studia musicians to Philadelphia's historie Academy of the recording stage, just to Dorothy Lamour sings this new type of screen entertainment, will have Music, where, the business of recording the Philadelphia "limbered up," but it's no particular to be equipped with this type of sound equipment. Orchestra was carried on with the assistance of RCA treat to the other inmates, unless two songs in her usual deep,|

Christened "Fantasound" because, like the Over $20,000 feet of music were recorded, Nelson happens to hear her and they throaty style, and is erotic picture itself, it represents a revolutionary tech-

from which 18,000 were to be selected for the final tre, through open windows.

For every group of loudspeakers used in the ally decorative. Fosternique in sound reproduction, the new system of there had to be a separate source of sound synchronized works hard to make some-recording and reproducing sound-on-film employs with the picture. So when Mickey Mouse appears on the right, a control mechanism switches on the loud- thing of his role, and does entirely new principles both in the studio produc- speaker directly behind him and veers the sound to fairly well, while both Pres- tion and in theatre presentation. Three years of another speaker when he moves. ton and Basserman are, ade-work by Disney and RCA engineers went into its

developments. quate in their roles.

screen,

get

lart a duet from some new pleture

*

My Lamour have actually been

them down.

Bing Crosby's favourite place for rehearsing songs is the Paramount restaurant, which, he declares, has Stokowski directed as he would ordinarily and the better acoustics than the recording orchestra played with its familiar fire and skill. But there stage. If he'll actually sing a song. all convention ended. For the music had to be divided the cooks and busboys will stop work of up in such a way that later it could be blended at will to listen, but if it's just a matter and reproduced through the required loudspeaker-exercising his larynx, they ignore

jhlin. In fact, Bing, Bob Hope

and "Fantasound" causes sound actually to move wherever Dlaney wanted it. with all action on the screen. This realism in

to go around, for fun, trying The Return of

sound is accomplished by the use of a number of To do this, the orchestra was divided into five see to collect an audience to listen to loudspeakers placed at different points behind the tions-strings, basses, woodwinds, brasses and percus them, with fellow-workers turning Frank James

motion picture screen. If a bee buzzes into the sions. Ench section was covered by three microphones, and recorded on a separate track. Also, there were three scene, for instance, to circle around the screen additional "straight recordings, two on aim, one an "I'll come," says one brave min, The most colourful and and off again, loudspeakers are automatically cut records, and a "heal" track giving the beat, entrance if Dotty will dress for the part."

Over at Twentieth Century-Fox, a daring outlaws in American on and off to follow its progress. This drone can cues, etc., which the cartoonists used to synchronize the

blended in any way with any other track or tombination is set aside for such vocalizing, which, history were the James bro- also be heard travelling all around the theatre, action to the music. Eacli of these tracks could be music building with rehearsal hall

"Fantasound" plays an enormous part in of tracks, so that actually any single instrument, section it is

is tacitly agreed, is not done in thers Jesse and Frank-"Fantasin The music of the 103-piece Phila- or the whole orchestra could be heard coming from any the dressing-rooms. At Universal, Gloria Jean takes a daily lesson from whose-names-were-adelphia Orchestra, under the baton-of-Leopold one point on the whoy in for bank robberies, Stokowski, is the chief and sometimes. the only music worked out like tinet solone Disney engineer to hear but need only stand outside During the recording, the pm," and anyone who wants train hold-ups and almost actor. But to achieve the unusual orchestral sharing the podium with Stokowski signals the engineer the open window, but so for the -hasn't been 100 crowded, every other form of dare-effects required a staggering amount of work, in charge of the woodwind section to look out for the street

"Fantasound" began as an idea in Walt clarinet, and give him the level at which it is to be Deanna Durbin does all her rehear devil crime associated with

He watched recorded. In the final blend, the clarinet's loudness is sing at the home of her teacher. Disney's mind several years ago.

played up or played down depending upon what purposes. the lawless West.

a bumble bee buzz off the screen in one of his it fulfils in the finished production. And I may be

Judy Garland'a mi-mi-mi-mi's ring The career of Jesse has own cartoons, and the finality of the disappear- heard in the theatre from any desired loudspeaker.

"Fantasound" succeeds in taking music and sound out uninterrupted from coach Roger been done on the screen, and ance disturbed him. He felt that it should be out of its customary accessory or incidental role in the Edens' bungalow

on the M-G-M now his brother Frank takes possible to have the bee around even if it weren't theatre, and elevates it to the position of an important lot, and Douglas Melhail's and Leni [Lynn's from Maestro Romono Romani's studio above stage Ave, but the spotlight in "The Return needed on the screen any longer. RCA sound tool in the hands of the dramatist.

none of it is calculated to draw.much of Frank James," showing at engineers were called in to consult with Disney

The results can best be described as surprisingly of a crowd.

In fact, the only time a Crowd the King's. Henry Fonda engineers, and the development work began.

delightful. The Disney experts who produced the pic- plays the part. The story

ture had difficulty in believing their own cars when gathers is when a non-singing star, starts off from the moment At about the same time Disney's studio was they first beheld their handiwork. They heard screen such as Wallace Beery, sits down at Jesse is shot dead, and the filming a super-short with Mickey Mouse in the sounds come forth with flexibility for the first time, the organ and goes back to his They followed the music with their ears and eyes all chorus-boy days by "giving out" with But for the chance of hearing camera traces the deeds of title role. The picture was to be a pictorial over the screen. In addition, they heard it coming from some old ditty.

"The Sorcerer's Apprentice". The musical score dramatie

Suzanna Foster shake the chan- antasound" should prove an important step for-delers with a ripple of grace notes, for his life.

was to be conducted by Stokowski. But, as pro- ward for the motion picture art. At present limited to repeated over and over again, the Others in the picture are duction progressed, it was thought that the sub- "Fantasia" because of the elaborate sound reproducing average ifallywoodian wouldn't lose Jackie Cooper, Henry Hull, ject was too interesting to be dismissed with a system required for the theatre, it is expected never-a moment's lime. For the mechanics Donald Meek, George Bar- ten minute short, and so the decision was reached theres to form the basis for further research and develop of getting into trim for recording the ment in the realm of sound on film, from which even-world's most stirring sounds are to expand it into a full-length concert feature. fully will come new sound equipment which the average about as unentertaining as a fever, bier and Barbara Pepper. Deems Taylor was called in to aid in selecting the theatre can afford to install."

chart.

*

Frank till he comes to trial interpretation of Dukas' musical composition, all around them in certain of the more exciting or Allan Jones practise his scales, or

MONSTER WAR FUND RAFFLE

Donors of Prizes are requested to hold them until won, when the Hongkong. War Effort Committee wili issue orders for collec- tion to the winners.

ME

Australian KANDOS" Cement Stock Available

DODWELL & CO., LTD.

SUB ACENT

LAI CHAK, CHUNG TIN BUILDING

Hongkong Benevolent Society

Room — 11, Ice House Street

-

The Society's Room will be open on MONDAYS & THURSDAYS

from 10 A.M. to noon

Support the Bomber Fund and

See a Good Show

"FUNIETY”

UNDER THE DISTINGUISHED PATRONAGE OF H.E. THF ACTING GOVERNOR LIEUT-GENERAL E. F. NORTON, C.B., D.S.O.; M.C.; H:E. MAJOR-GENERAL A. F. GRASETT C.B., D.S.O., M.C.; COMMODORE A. C. COLLINSON,

AT 9.15 P.M.`

TO-NIGHT, FEB. 1.

AT THE

CHINA FLEET CLUB THEATRE

BOOK NOW.

AF ANDERSON MUSIC CO., Ice House Streak

Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS

1-Presently

fmodicapped

play

14-Too badl 19-ythologiest sear

sis by Apollo 10-ACOFALOry covering

of need 17-Bome of bird dhnaria or Un 1-Practice thrift 20-itated 13-Male relatives 21-Unusual 23-Medical aUITIN Indicating abnormalt, 20-italian ataleszzian

idled 19517 39-Wanters

33--Our. (Bentlich) 34Celle propla 36-Weird

37 (Prench)

39-Altempta 41-447bouled water 12-Fire (Latin)

48-Adjunt 41-Woman's under- garment (pl) 10-Back

St-Amell

62-aret portico 35--ŽRTEV Darily

88-3

towers

41-Made commonplace

by repetition

By LARS MOEKIŞ

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS TUŽILN-

13-Olter Vatment

di-Attorney (abbr) 65-Larga duck ¤—Th ̈be (French) 47-Military mesi Cited nowers 69-Endure

DOWN

-Natura) Zats Geelon

Binau guren 1-Amena

-cup

13

a-dire čunadenes ta 10-Baali, waterfalla 1-verbal

})=Btrong prewa ŠiewTree D

dinb

[113], 36-Pertaining to

comedy

zy

27-ATINE en

auffaed

16-CUTI NAMO 79-pens for, swine 39-Itaving gnawed

appearancs

3-chee 13-Commandi J-Man's Name

EDGUNTARITR) 40-Coloniste. 43-120 part of 4-Top of building 49-One who cizsaldez

53-Pack tightly S4-Ceremony 15-Performa

-Prolata publicly-

67—Very small particla

te-carlox organa

02-Bouth American elts

1-Disembark

7-On sheltered elde

BOLAS 16 RINDA

3-Ball support

3

4

5

6

B

10

12 173

14

15

17

18

20

By

26 27 28

30

3/32

34

35

36

37

138 37

140

47

42

143

44

15

47

48

150

51

53 54 95

4.

69

65

167

68

ག ག་

157 158 159

62

63

PRESIDENT LINER

Sailings

To SAN FRANCISCO, AND, LOS ANGELES

Via Shanghai, Kobe, Yokohama

• SS "President Cleveland"

SS "President Coolidge"

SS "President Pierce"

• Omits Yokohama.

Honolulu,

FED.

0 FEB, 22 MAR.

5

To NEW YORK AND BOSTON

Via Manila, Singapore, Penang, Colombo, Bombay & Capetown,

SS "President Monroe" 83-"President-Grant”-

SS "President Jackson"

FEB. MAR. MAR 23

.9

Το

MANILA

FEB. FEB.

15 26

MAR.

11

SS "President Coolldge" SS "President Pierce"

SS "President Taft"

**AMERICAN * *

PRESIDENT LINES

"ROUND-WORLD SERVICE"

AGENTS FOR TRANSCONTINENTAL & WESTERN AIR AND UNITED AIR LINES.

12 Pedder Street.

N.Y.K.

Telephone 28171

LINE

SAN FRANCISCO & LOS ANGELES vin Honolulu

Asoma Máru

Tuesday,

11th Feb.

Tatuta Maru

Tuesday,

24th Feb.

BEATTLE & VANCOUVER (Starts from Kobe

Hikawa Maru

Sunday,

Din Feb. SOUTH AMERICA (West Coast) via Hilo & San Francisco 2nd Feb.

Nozlina Maru

Helyo Maru (starts from Kobe) Sunday, NEW YORK via Japan & Panama

Sunday,

2nd Feb.

SYDNEY & MELBOURNE via Manila..

Husimi Maru HAIHONG, SAIGON & MADRAB

Wednesday, 26th Feb.

(Cargo accepted for Halphang & Saigon) BOMBAY vià Singapore & Colombo,

"Lisbon Maru

Tuesday, RANGOON & CALOUTTA via Singapore

*Turuga Maru

Friday,

11th Feb,

7th Feb.

*Lima Maru

Thursday,

6th Feb.

Asama Maru

Tuesday.

11th Feb.

Tatula Maru Atuta Maru

Tuesday,

25th Feb.

Monday,

*3rd Mar.

KODE & YOKOHAMA

Cargo only.

Complete Information from Your Agent or NIPPON YUSEN KÄISYA

KING'S BUILDING

TELEPHONE 30291; General Passenger Agents in the Orient for Cunard, White, Star Line.

Page 15Page 16