The Kinetophone: A Fact! A Reality!

In 1913, Thomas Edison’s film studio produced a series of one-reelers using the Kinetophone technology designed to bring synchronized sound to motion pictures. Alas, the Kinetophone system—which involved a cumbersome hook-up between a film projector and cylindrical phonograph--was not terribly practical and the experiment was considered a failure. Largely unseen since their first screening, the Kinetophone films could only be shot in a single take, resulting in visually primitive presentations in which the actors bellowed theatrically and mostly remained on their marks. This disc compiles eight digitally restored productions, including some that are badly dated: “The Edison Minstrels” is marred by two charmless performers in blackface, while “Jack’s Joke” finds humor in a nasty bit of mischief involving hearing-impairment. Still, the use of sound in early examples of song and dance offerings such as “Musical Blacksmiths” and “Nursery Favorites” boast an old-fashioned vaudeville-style charm, featuring exuberant performers who break into tune with very little prompting. One film, the Civil War mystery “The Deaf Mute,” was shot outdoors without audio problems, suggesting that the technology had the potential for being more versatile if more time had been devoted to its development. Extras include the documentary “So Amazingly Perfect They Are Really Weird,” which offers fascinating insights into the Kinetophone’s rise and fall, and the 1913 short “The Politician,” for which the sound cylinder was lost (composer Ben Model provides a musical soundtrack). Highly recommended. (P. Hall)