Phonographs in Movies...

[Fredrik]

Getting familiar with VLC I also tok these snaps of a close up of a man starting a portable in the 1933 Swedish comedy Augustas lilla felsteg (= Augusta's little slip-up). The record at least is a HMV and I think the machine might be too (a 101?).

Fredrik

[Neophone]

Fredrik,

Mr. Laurel & Mr. Hardy appear to have a humble VV-X (althought the particular exact permutation isn't pictured on the linked page.)

The second one looks very much like an HMV 101, but there are some differences That make me think it might be a continental clone.

Zeppy, Thanks for pointing that out about the speed regulator and the turn-table combo. I assume by the time these were updated with the 10" turn-table VTMCo. was using the simpler speed regulators?

Bill, Thanks for identifying the "Mr Chicken' machine. The shape of the decal looked vaguely familiar to me, but I couldn't enlarge it. I also tried to make out any identifying stampings on the traveling arm without luck.

WJW, I was thinking the same thing about the Selecta. I bet that angle is much kinder to the records. However did you notice the reproducer isn't exactly perpendicular to the record surface? I wonder it's that's due to age/damage or a design flaw.

Regards,
John

Regards,
John

[Neophone]

Folks,

More captures.....

First a possible phonograph from The Bells of Saint Mary's, 1945. What do you folks think, is it or isn't it?

Kind Hearts and Coronets, 1949

Here's a couple external horn HMVs Can any of you fine gents across the pond identify them?

Backstairs at the White House, 1979

This was a fairly well done mini-series. I always remembered it and a bout two years ago I managed to find it on DVD. There are a few machines in it.

First a portable in a ballet class


Followed by President Taft listening to his phonograph, An Edison Home(?) which he refers to as a "Grafonola" and he listens to Caruso performing Santa Lucia IIRC with a full orchestral accompaniment


Next an unidentified Victor during Wilson's administration.






Then during the Coolidge administration the main character, Maggie Rodgers is given an early Columbia Favorite (?) which she calls a Victrola. Is that the correct turntable? It looks a lot like a VTMCo. platter.





Then we have the Coolidge boys learning to dance with a rather dated looking Victor(?) with a straight horn. Well they say Coolidge was frugal.

I thought I'd round out BSATWH with three radios shots:








To Be continued........

Regards,
John

[Neophone]

Folks,

More, more, more....

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, 2004

Since most of the film is computer generated, this might not even be a physical prop. It does look like a proper talking machine-maybe an HMV? It is only on screen playing for a few seconds and in the next scene which one would assume takes place in the same room there is no music playing. An oversight? There does appear to be a proper HMV record on the turntable.

We're No Angels, 1955

The film is supposed to take place on Devil's Island in the 1890's, so the BAs are a little early I think this version of the Edison Standard is a bit premature as well??? Would the Standard be one of the machines one could up-grade to a 2m/4m machine? Notice the pink Lambert!
You can see the dust on the cylinder in the last blow-up, but Aldo Ray does actually turn the phonograph on in the scene with the Christmas tree. You can see the cylinder revolving.

Pillow Talk, 1959

An oak Victor V with fancy painted oak horn maybe.





Can anyone identify this Pianola under all that pink paint?

That's all for now.....

Regards,
John

[estott]

Pillow Talk, 1959






Can anyone identify this Pianola under all that pink paint? [/center]

The piano is a National. They were known for their "Ferris Wheel" roll changing device located under the piano- there is no keyboard although the case gives the appearance. There are eight coin slots, selecting one causes the mechanism to rotate and bring up one of the eight rolls. They were leased to locations and a serviceman was supposed to arrive weekly to change the rolls and take the company's share of the money. At the time of the movie it would have been about 40 years old

[Neophone]

E.,

Thanks. I've looked on-line a bit but haven't found anything much yet. I'd like to find a good image of one in a less dramatic color.

Regards,
John

[estott]

I haven't found any either. You'd need a specialist book like the Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments by Bowers. The National instruments aren't particularly photogenic- plain oak cases with no stained glass or carvings.

Here's a webpage with some info: http://www.jrjunction.com/national_auto ... sic_co.htm

[Neophone]

E.,

That's a good link, thanks. I've added it to the Music & Record Resources post.

Regards,
John

[estott]

I should have added the home page to that museum:
http://www.jrjunction.com/estmim

[Neophone]

E.,

Thanks again. I've added their home page to the link as well as adding it in the Organizations section.

Regards,
John