Q: When did Warner Bros officially end their used of disc technology for films and did they make a official effort to transfer the material to sound on film?
A: Around March 1930, Warner Brothers and First National finally stopped recording shorts and features directly onto disc, and did it on film like all the other studios. For a period (around 1926-29) disc sound reproduction was superior to sound on film. However, improvements to the Movietone process, and the severe limitations of disc recording (especially mobility and editing) destined Vitaphone recording for oblivion.
Nevertheless, all the major studios continued to issue disc versions of soundtracks with features and shorts until as late as 1935. These were for the thousands of theatres that had taken the cheaper disc-only route to go talkie, and could not show sound-on-film versions.
PS - I strongly recommend a new book by Donald Crafton from Oxford University Press: "The Talkies". It's incredibly detailed and a great read on this transition period.
Other great books about the Vitagraph Studios are:
Q: How much does a Vitaphone restoration cost?
A: About $3000 per reel. The donor will get their own video copy of the finished restoration.
Q: How long did the disc process last?
A: For Vitaphone, from 1925 (experimental) until 1930. By March 1930, even Warners realized the cumbersome nature of disc recording and switched to sound-on-film in the making of talkies.
Q: What is a 16" soundtrack disc worth?
A: Content and condition is everything! For an average, non-jazz disc, figure $25-$35. But a rare performance by a noted performer or a hot jazz or band short could bring $100. Buyers are limited, because few can play these large discs.
Q: Did all studios make sound films on disc?
A: No. Only Warners, First National and Hal Roach made disc-only talkies through 1929. The other studios all filmed and released in the sound-on-film format, but would still then make disc versions of the soundtrack for those theatres that could only show in the disc system.
Q: What's the latest soundtrack disc you've uncovered?
A: Some 1936 Monogram westerns, the 1935 RKO musical "Roberta", and some 1934 Charlie Chase shorts (the opening music is fantastically rich!) are late examples. All were first made as sound-on-film productions, though.
Q: Can I fund a restoration?
A: Absolutely! Contact The Vitaphone Project at medusashaircut@erols.com for info on making a tax deductible donation to UCLA for a restoration. Corporate matching funds can be used also.
Q: How many shorts exist with picture only (no disc)?
A: About 80.
Q: How many soundtrack discs has The Vitaphone Project uncovered in private hands so far?
A: Over 2,200. That's in addition to over 1,500 in archives throughout the world.
Q: What's the latest short with picture but no sound?
A: Easy! It's the Technicolor Charley Chase two-reeler "Hollywood Party" (MGM/1937), an all star short that Charlie hosts. A beauitiful color print exists, and it looks hilarious. But, alas, there's no sound.
Q: Are there any Vitaphone shorts available on home video?
A: The only availability on home video of Vitaphone shorts is on laserdisc. There are no VHS or other format tapes being sold of Vitaphone shorts, unfortunately, and that situation is not likely to change until the home video rights revert to Turner/Warner in 2001. George Feltenstein, who produced the many great lasredisc sets of Vitaphone material while at MGM/UA now works at Turner. He promises a real commitment to releasing this vintage material on tape and DVD as soon as they get the rights back in less than three years. Until then, careful viewers of Turner Classic Movies cable system may catch these and an increasing number of Vitaphone shorts.
Q: Are there any Vitaphone recordings available on CD?
A: At this time there are no CD's that exclusively contain Vitaphone material. However, TAKE TWO RECORDS offers a CD with Sophie Tucker which includes otherwise lost soundtrack discs excerpts from "Honky Tonk" (1929). And Rhino just issued a 4 CD set on the 75th Anniversary of Warner Brothers which includes some soundtrack excerpts by Fanny Brice, Jolson and others. Rhino eventually hopes to issue CD's made up exclusively of Vitaphone tracks, grouped by subject (jazz, hot dance bands, vaudeville, etc.).
| VITAPHONE NEWS | ISSN 1066-5951 | |
| Corresponding Secretary | Ron Hutchinson: | 5 Meade Court Piscataway, NJ 08854 medusashaircut@erols.com |
| Data Base | Rich Markow & Sherwin Dunner: | P.O. Box 1992 New York, NY 10013 |
| Newsletter, Advertising, Publicity | David Goldenberg: | 840 Winter Road Rydal, PA 19046 |
| and John Newton: | P.O. Box 7191 Wilmington, DE 19803 | |
| Vitaphone Project Web Page: | http://www.picking.com | patrick@picking.com |
Do you have film soundtrack discs (Vitaphone, Paramount, MGM, etc.),
production information, stills, or other ephemera on pre 1940 short films?
We urgently need this data for a major film restoration program.
Replies will be kept confidential. Project endorsed by copyright
owners.
THE VITAPHONE PROJECT
To contact The Vitaphone Project write to:
Ron Hutchinson
5 Meade Court
Piscataway, NJ 08854
or email Ron at medusashaircut@erols.com
or project member Bill Cappello at billcapp@ix.netcom.com
