Released by Derann Films as a collectors limited edition of 2000 prints to commemorate the final issue of 50 Years of British Movietone News 1929-1979.
It was in 1927, that American films produced with synchronized sound, were first shown to astounded Londoners at the New Gallery, Regent Street.
An American Newsreel, Fox Movietone News, was produced with synchronized sound the following year, and in early 1929 the producers of Fox Movietone approached the Hon. Esmond Harmworth to collaborate in launching a British Movietone News.
The First issue, launched on June 9th 1929, contained the Derby and Trooping Of The Colour in sound. the second issue was devoted to a group interview of Ramsay MacDonald introducing his cabinet to the public.
At first the newsreel was produced only weekly, but early in 1930 it was increased to two weekly issues, some issues containing 16 items or more.
Commentators were introduced later to bridge story gaps, but "background music" wasn't heard until the '40s. Movietone's most enduring commentator was Leslie Mitchell, who ceased commentating in 1974 after over 40 years before the mike. Other well known names whose voices have graced Movietone are Geoffrey Sumner, John Snagg, David Jacobs, MacDonald Hobly, and Leonard Martin.
Movietone's well preserved library is a veritable history book that will live on for all time.
This film came mounted on a 400ft reel in a deluxe plastic library case. Considering it was a limited edition release, the print quality was poor with bleached out highlights. Sound not too bad.
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Distributed by: Derann
Films. I have this film in my collection my rating: Picture |
This page was last updated 02 Dec 2002
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