The Talkies: American Cinema's Transition to Sound, 1926-1931 (Volume 4) (History of the American Cinema)

"The Talkies offers readers a rare look at the time when sound was a vexing challenge for filmmakers and the source of contentious debate for audiences and critics. Donald Crafton presents a panoramic view of the talkies' reception as well as in-depth looks at sound design in selected films, filmmaking practices, censorship, issues of race, and the furious debate over cinema aesthetics that erupted once the movies began to speak."--Back cover Advisory Board......Page 8 Contents......Page 11 Acknowledgments......Page 13 1. Introduction:The Uncertainty of Sound......Page 15 Part 1. A New Era in Electrical Entertainment......Page 33 2. Electric Affinities......Page 37 3. Virtual Broaday, Virtual Orchestra: De Forest and Vitaphone......Page 76 4. Fox-Case, Movietone, and the Talking Newsreel......Page 102 5. Enticing the Audience: Warner Bros. and Vitaphone......Page 114 6. Battle of the Giants: ERPI and RCA Consolidate Sound......Page 140 7. The Big Hedge: Hollywood's Defensive Strategies......Page 178 8. Boom to Bust......Page 194 9. Labor Troubles......Page 230 10. Inaudible Technology: The Trail of the Lonesome Mike......Page 238 11. Exhibition: Talkies Change the Bijou......Page 263 Part 2. Three Seasons: The Films of 1998-1931......Page 279 12. The New Entertainment Vitamin, 1928-1929......Page 283 13. Taming the Talkies, 1929-1930......Page 325 14. The Well-Tempered Sound Track, 1930-1931......Page 367 15. The Sound of Custard: Shorts, Travelogues,and Animated Cartoons......Page 393 16. Outside the Mainstream......Page 414 17. Foreign Affairs......Page 430 Part 3. Hearing the Audience......Page 454 18. The Voice Squad......Page 456 19. Constructive Criticism: The Fans' Perspective......Page 491 20. Buying Broadway: The Jazz Singer's Reception......Page 527 21. "The Great Ninety Per Cent"......Page 543 Appendix 1. Selected Box Office Grosses, 1928-1931......Page 558 Appendix 2. Academy Awards Related to Sound, 1927-1931......Page 564 List ofAbbreviations......Page 567 Notes......Page 568 Selected Bibliography......Page 612

the Talkies Is A Valuable Addition To A Distinguished Series—especially Important Because It Deals With One Of The Most Eventful Periods In Motion Picture History. Crafton's Scholarship Is Impressive, And He Has Produced A Readable Book That's Sure To Become A Standard Reference.—james Naremore, Author Of more Than Night

booknews

crafton (communication And Theater, U. Of Notre Dame) Departs From Revisionist Accounts That Stress The Systematic Development Of Film, And Portrays The Transition To Sound As Partly Rational And Partly Confused. He Maintains That Even Though The Studios Tried To Develop A Proactive Approach To The Transition, They Were Concerned With Reducing Risks, And Often Behaved In A Retroactive Way. Topics Include The Effects Of The Depression, The Struggles For Control Over The New Technology, And The Popular Reception Of The Talkies. Annotation C. By Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

This text offers readers a look at the time when sound was a vexing challenge for filmmakers and the source of contentious debate for audiences and critics. The author presents a view of the talkies' reception, amongst other issues