A variety film made by director Ken G. Hall for Cinesound Productions, Cinesound Varieties was initially screened as a support to the full-length feature, The Silence of Dean Maitland (1934). Presented in two parts the first, "Evolution of a Waltz," has music director/composer W. Hamilton Webber and the 30-piece State Orchestra demonstrate the evolution of the waltz. The second part, "Nautical Nonsense" is a musical revue featuring more than 60 variety artists and musicians, including comedian Fred Bluett and his Boy Scouts (as Sydney pirates), Tom Katz and His Saxophone Band, Angela Parselles (soprano), the Lowell Bros, the Cinesound Octette, and the Cinesound Beauty Ballet.
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
Reactions to the film from critics were either overwhelmingly negative or tended to ignore it. In its review of the world premiere of The Silence of Dean Maitland in Hobart on 12 May, for example, the Mercury reported merely: 'There is light contrast in the effectively-presented Cinesound new variety show.' The Sydney Morning Herald critic was more circumspect, however:
Pace is the essence of a variety show, and pace is what Cinesound Varieties definitely lacks. The text which holds everything together is painfully weak, and the humour deplorable." The same critic did make favourable mention of Frank Hurley's camerawork, and in particular the "the extremely beautiful views of Sydney Harbour."
The Argus reviewer was of a similar mind: 'It is difficult to believe that Cinesound Varieties comes from the same studio as The Silence of Dean Maitland - if it did. In it all those things that should not be done are done and all that should be done are left undone.' A little over a week later the Adelaide Advertiser's critic continued the attack: 'A sadly overdressed musical revue which has inherited all the evils the talkies were ever heir to, except the American slang.' Upon reflection in later years Ken G, Hall agreed. "It was written in a hurry and it was a bad effort. I'm not proud of it" (ctd. Taylor, Phillip. "Ken G. Hall.' Cinema Papers January. (1973), p.81
By the end of the year Cinesound Varieties was being incorporated into cinema programs around the country without The Silence of Dean Maitland. Presented as a support along with other short films, reviews and newsreels the film by then may have been shortened (possibly with the first part removed).
