
In 1991 a group of film buffs and record collectors met to discuss the possibility of seeking out the shellac soundtrack discs that accompanied early 1926-1930 Vitaphone (and other) talkie shorts and features. The Vitaphone Project was formed to accomplish this goal as well as to partner with the studios (particularly Turner/WB), film archives (UCLA, LOC, BFI), and private collectors worldwide in order to get these films restored and seen again. Of particular interest were the nearly 2,000 talkie short subjects, featuring vaudevillians, bands, opera singers, and comedians made by Vitaphone from 1926-1929. In many cases 35mm picture elements exist without an accompanying soundtrack.
Since its inception The Vitaphone Project has located over 3,000 12- and 16-inch shellac soundtrack discs in private hands, has assisted on the restoration of over 35 shorts and 12 features, and has developed nearly $300,000 in private funding for restorations. There are still over 80 shorts for which picture, but no sound, exists.
We need your help to continue to locate soundtrack discs, mute film elements, underwriters, and relatives of people who worked on these films. Loaners of discs get their own copy of the completed restoration, and underwriters of restorations (currently a tax deductible $4,500 through UCLA) also get a copy as well as on-screen credit.
Vitaphone News - Volume 1,
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Vitaphone
Sheet Music!
Vitaphone News - Volume 2,
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USA
TODAY Article
Vitaphone News - Volume 3,
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Vitaphone
Pictures!
Vitaphone News - Volume 4,
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Complete list of Restorable Vitaphone Shorts!!
Vitaphone News - Volume 5,
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Frequently
Asked Questions!! - VERY INTERESTING!
Vitaphone News - Volume 6,
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Visit with
Bob Gitt at UCLA
Vitaphone News - Volume 7,
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Vitaphone DataBase
Vitaphone News - Volume 8,
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ALL ARE WELCOME!
We appreciate the continued support of The Vitaphone Project and like to show our thanks by sending donors of $50 or more their choice of custom made CD's with rare soundtracks.
We've added a few more CD's, so those of you who have contributed in the past may want to consider these available Vitaphone CD’s. # CD’s available are in () :

You may select from a growing choice of “thank you” Vitaphone CD’s when making your (non-deductible) donation. Remember that these are unique, non-professional (but highly listenable) recordings of rare early talkie material. No fancy notes or packaging, but we are sure you will enjoy them. Contributions, while not deductible, are greatly appreciated and help us continue to get the word out on our efforts. Just let us know your pick:
Checks (not deductible) should be made payable to:
| VITAPHONE NEWS | ISSN 1066-5951 | |
| Corresponding Secretary & Editor | Ron Hutchinson | 5 Meade Court Piscataway, NJ 08854 (732) 463-8521 FAX: (732) 463-8521 ron@vitaphoneproject.com |
| Database | Rich Markow | richmarkow@aol.com |
| Treasurer | Alan Cooperman | 23 Clover Hill Road Willington, NJ 07946 |
| Co-Founders: | John Newton | P.O. Box 7191 Wilmington, DE 19803 |
| Sherwin Dunner | P.O. Box 1992 New York, NY 10013 | |
| Vince Giordano | 1316 Elm Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11230 | |
| Vitaphone Project Web Page | http://www.vitaphoneproject.com | medusashaircut@erols.com |