Vitaphone Varieties: 1927-1931

A rare and rollicking treat! “The Vitaphone Corporation produced thousands of shorts featuring musicians, vaudeville acts, and radio stars between 1926 and 1931, recording the soundtracks on large phonograph discs for playback in theatres. When sound-on-disc technology became obsolete, Vitaphone shorts began to fade into oblivion. These unique and entertaining artifacts have long been difficult to see on the big screen, but have gained a growing audience when presented at previous UCLA Festivals of Preservation. This program offers an eclectic mix of short subjects celebrating the often raucous talents that have made Vitaphone screenings must-see events” (Paul Malcolm).

Ohman & Arden (1927, 7 mins.) • Joseph E. Howard, America’s Popular Composer (1928, 9 mins.) • The Opry House (1929, 9 mins.) • Tex McLeod: “A Rope and a Story” (1928, 8 mins.) • Tal Henry and His North Carolinians (1929, 9 mins.) • Always Faithful (1929, 11 mins.) • Lou Holtz: “Idle Chatter” (1929, 7 mins.) • Red Nichols and His Five Pennies (1929, 7 mins.) • Pat O’Brien: “Crimes Square” (1930, 10 mins.) • Ben Bernie and His Orchestra (1930, 9 mins.) • Helen Morgan: “The Gigolo Racket” (1931, 21 mins.).

1927-31. All prints 35mm. Total running time: 107 mins.