Sir Charles Aubrey Smith, CBE (21 July 1863 – 20 December 1948) was an England Test cricketer who became a stage and film actor, acquiring a niche as the officer-and-gentleman type, as in the first sound version of The Prisoner of Zenda (1937). In Hollywood, he organised British actors into a cricket team, much intriguing local spectators.
Obviously Sir Charles was well into middle age when the talkies came along. He had this to say about what he hoped their impact would be.
The first thing the British actor learns is clear enunciation and correct speech. Pure speech has been one of the traditions of the stage since the days of Shakespeare. It is a good thing because it fosters the love of pure speech in the public at large. I hope the talkies will do the same thing from the screen.
The first thing the British actor learns is clear enunciation and correct speech. Pure speech has been one of the traditions of the stage since the days of Shakespeare. It is a good thing because it fosters the love of pure speech in the public at large. I hope the talkies will do the same thing from the screen.
Once upon a time perhaps, but one might almost say that the love of pure speech in the talkies must have expired with Sir Charles. As for the public at large, we never had a love affair with it. Imagine the effect of teaching children to speak clearly and well. I'm not sure I can imagine it. Lack of clarity is such a subtle poison.
As for Sir Charles' clarity, he was clear enough about Greta Garbo.
She's a ripping gel.
2 comments:
Mumble, mutter shout whisper in heavy regional accent and facing away from you, screen, mic' etc. Yer wot?
Demetrius - maybe it doesn't matter because nobody really listens.
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