Kinetoscope Soundtracks on Concert-Size Cylinders

[PeterF]

I've owned one of the two Concert-sized brown wax cylinders referenced by Ron Dethlefsen (in his 2004 book on such cylinders) as a Kinetoscope soundtrack, for about 15 years now. That's quite long enough. So it's on ebay, but before it goes I will make another digital recording of it and likely share it on YouTube.

But I wonder whether anyone else on this forum has experience with something similar? Have any of you seen or heard of such things, and if so, can you give us a description? Mine takes the tone of describing what the audience is seeing, but then also promotes the company's exhibitions in a more general way. I've heard of some shops and theaters piping phonograph outputs onto the street to draw people's attention, so this could also be used for that purpose.

I've put the exact transcript of my cylinder in the ebay listing, if you're curious.

Certainly, since Kinetoscope films have survived, some of the accompanying cylinders must also still exist. Who knows more?

[Curt A]

How about posting the eBay link?

[phonogfp]

How about posting the eBay link?

It's already posted in the appropriate section of the forum:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 14&t=25370

George P.

[PeterF]

We have zero kinetoscope people here? Is there some other forum where such things are discussed?

[Victrolacollector]

I have heard of Stereoscopes being used in conjunction with early cylinder soundtracks.

[PeterF]

Because the eBay listing will disappear, here is more info on mine. It's a spoken word soundtrack for a Kinetoscope presentation by the "European High Grade Entertainment Company." Here is an exact transcript, with research notes:

[several pennywhistle toots, in telegraph cadence]

Moving pictures...by the European High Grade Entertainment Company.

Program.

Glimpses of the Emerald Isles. Eight views, including Ross Castle Killarny, and High Street Belfast.

A panoramic view of Broadway New York, beginning at Union Square and extending into upper Broadway, showing the magnificent Dewey Arch.

Happy Hooligan fools. Comic. [laughing and comic sounds in background]

A Skirmish with the Boers, near Kimberley. Preview. First, going south in pursuit of the Boers. Second, bringing the Maxims into action. Third, a charge and general fusillade.

The native porters of Tientsin in China. Circular panorama, showing the pontoon bridge. The battle of Pekin, China. Many are killed and wounded, on both sides. The best battle picture ever seen. Here you see...the firing on both sides. The men falling and rolling down the bank. The German Count, von Waldersee, entering the sacred city of Pekin. A street scene in Pekin. Pekin after the forces have gained an entrance.

The strange adventures of William Tell. Comic. [laughter and comic sounds]

Zuider Zee. Highly colored. A very fine picture.

Remember we give an entire change of program, every week. All new pictures. This is an excellent program, and no one should miss it. Step in now. Everything is first class and high grade, for ladies, children, and gentlemen. No smoking allowed inside. No intoxicated persons admitted. And we guarantee satisfaction. Your money refunded at the door if you are not satisfied after seeing the whole program.

[two pennywhistle toots]


This cylinder must date from 1900 or very early in 1901. Referenced datable events include: - The Boxer Rebellion and the resulting siege of Peking, which fell in August 1900. Count Alfred Von Waldersee, described as shown entering the conquered city, commanded the German forces helping to put down the rebellion. - The Boer War (references to use of Maxim machine guns, and the siege of Kimberley, which ended in February 1900). — The Edison "Happy Hooligan" series also dates from the 1900 period.


The cylinder has a known provenance back to the 1940's, being in northern California since at least that time. As such, and due to similarities to the only other similar cylinder ever found (which was also located in northern California), phonograph scholar Ron Dethlefson theorized in his 2004 book "Edison Lambert Concert Records & Columbia Grand Records and Related Phonographs" that it may have been produced at Peter Bacigalupi's San Francisco offices.

[Phototone]

This is (in my opinion) a custom advertising cylinder for the theater who owned it.

Kinetophone cylinders (soundtracks to sync with the picture) were on Blue Amberol cylinders about the same girth as a concert cylinder, but longer in length to allow a longer playback time.

[52089]

This is (in my opinion) a custom advertising cylinder for the theater who owned it.

Kinetophone cylinders (soundtracks to sync with the picture) were on Blue Amberol cylinders about the same girth as a concert cylinder, but longer in length to allow a longer playback time.

Just FYI, Kinetophone and Kinetoscope are two different things.