Vitaphone: Talking Pictures February 5, 2009

The Vitaphone sound-on-disk process was one of the first to answer Harry Warner’s famous question, "Who wants to hear actors talk?"

Hollywood’s first viable attempt to join sound recording with motion pictures, the process involved the synchronization of projector and turntable, and it worked wonderfully, unless the film broke or the needle skipped. Film fans are familiar with a number of early Vitaphone sound features, such as The Jazz Singer and Don Juan, but they many may not be aware of the more than 1,000 films produced by Warner Bros.' Vitaphone short subjects division between 1926 and 1930. Many are the only records of famous vaudeville and musical acts of the era. Now, thanks to the heroic efforts of the Vitaphone Project, Warner Bros., and the UCLA Film & Television Archive, many of these cinematic time capsules are being preserved and introduced to contemporary audiences. Tonight's program includes shorts featuring George Burns and Gracie Allen, Al Jolson, Spencer Tracy, and Edger Bergen. (approx. 90 mins., 35mm)

Official Website: http://www.wexarts.org/fv/index.php?eventid=3513