The Vitaphone Project

this page first published by John Wright, 30 Mar 1998
last update 14 Mar 2005vintage@r2ok.co.uk

This website's listing of short films featuring dance bands includes shorts made by the Vitaphone Company, DeForrest and others. These early films differ from the later 'talkies' in an important way.

Background

During the 1920's the Vitaphone Company and other movie makers made a large number of short 'sound-on-disc' movies, an early process of 'talkie' developed before the 'sound-on-film' process which soon became the norm after 'The Jazz Singer'. Most of the 'sound-on-disc' films became separated from their sound discs and during the last 70 years film buffs were finding and collecting the soundless films while record collectors were finding and preserving the 16" discs. Some of these collectors got together in 1991 and set up a project, to create an international inventory of discs and film, to co-operate to restore the film and sound, and bring them together for the entertainment of all. Since the Vitaphone studios produced the greatest variety of shorts, it was decided to call this effort the Vitaphone Project.

A website is maintained by Patrick Picking which is a record of the success of the Vitaphone Project. Visit the website to find out about the exciting discoveries and excellent restoration work that has already been completed. Copies of Vitaphone Newsletters are included.
Note: all images on this page are from the Vitaphone Project Website.

I am particularly interested in the Vitaphone Project as many of these shorts feature dance bands and artistes from the 1920's who are not featured in any other films. Many important operatic films have also been discovered recently.

Do YOU have film soundtrack discs (Vitaphone, Paramount, MGM, etc.), production information, stills, or other ephemera on pre 1940 short films?  Information on these will help this major film restoration programme. Replies will be kept confidential. Project is endorsed by copyright owners.

If you have soundtrack discs or early films featuring bands or entertainers, visit the Vitaphone website or contact The Vitaphone Project by writing to:

Ron Hutchinson,
5 Meade Court,
Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
or email Ron at rhutchin@notes.cc.bellcore.com

The information that my website has on restored Vitaphone and similar films can be found on my pages listing

Shorts featuring dance and jazz bands

Shorts featuring entertainers