Page 36 - CR-90

The

OK FOR SOUND -

by Ross King

eing at the end of the earth, over the years
Bboth Aussies and Kiwis have proven
themselves to be both a talented and inventive
lot. So many inventions, scientific
developments, artists, performers and the like
have achieved worldwide recognition
originating from a very small population base.
No doubt Australasia’s earlier isolation from
the rest of the developed world contributed
much to this situation.

With the advent of the “Talkies”, the two
major U.S.A. conglomerates of Western
Electric and Radio Corporation of America
(RCA) had world-wide patents on the optical
sound-on-film recording and reproduction
processes. Generally to install either of these
systems in a theatre the equipment could not
be purchased outright, but had to be bought on
a lease arrangement where only the most These are just some of Australia’s early marketing sound equipment in Australia.
profitable independent exhibitors and the Cinema Pioneers who, through their
major chains were in a position to enter such inventiveness, advanced the development of At this time, there was a great mixture of
arrangements. The cost of equipping and affordable talkie equipment for small cinema projection equipment being used in Australian
wiring for sound was equivalent to buying two exhibitors during the years of the Great
or three modest suburban houses at that time. Depression.
What then of the small country exhibitor? Australian Vocaltone Pty. Ltd. was formed on
Enter Messrs. Glynne (Vocaltone), Foyle 6 July 1931 with a capital of 6000 pounds.
(DeFoy), Bevan (Bevan), McIntosh (Raymac) The Directors of the Company were
Benbow (Benbow) and Alsop (Raycophone). J.R. Brennan and G.S. Glynne.

The Vocaltone talkie
attachment was
developed and
manufactured by
George Glynne
engineering works
located at
373 Hampton Street, cinemas, ranging from the locally made
Middle Brighton, Cummings & Wilson Australian Biograph,
Victoria and the Benbow Austral to the American Simplex
distributed in Victoria and Powers projectors. The British made
by Vocaltone Pty. Ltd. Kalee projector was very popular, as were the
106-108 King Street, German Hahn-Goerz and Ernemann
Melbourne. The sound machines.
head was claimed to be
able to convert silent The American designed Western Electric and
projector mechanisms RCA sound-on-film reproducers were
both quickly and considered the best although, when compared
cheaply, completely to the European developments, the American
manufactured in gear was complex, heavy and over engineered.
Melbourne except for One has only to look at the Western Electric
the sound optics and designed Universal Base with its heavy
photo cell, these being flywheel, direct motor drive and holdback
supplied by British sprocket - a frequent source of film run-off
companies. damage.
There was also a Glynne’s Vocaltone attachment was one of
British Vocaltone the first locally made devices to utilise a
company also rotating sound drum, a system used in German
design and later to become universally

36 CINEMARECORD # 90