The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Viva-voce wrote:There are several phonographs shown throughout the excellent HBO TV series "Boardwalk Empire."
Victor and Columbia horn models, and many Victrolas from a VTLA through what is referred to as a "VV-80" but is actually a more elegant model, maybe an XVI or a 120?

An interesting anachronism is the scene in the first season--actually, the first episode, if I remember correctly--where one of the Mob bosses, who is a Caruso fan, is shot and killed from behind at close range in his empty club (with framed autographed Caruso photos on the wall) while listening in rapt ecstasy to his beautiful mahogany machine, with brass flower horn, playing Caruso's 1910 recording of the Siciliana from Cavalleria Rusticana, which, in 1920 when the scene takes place, would have been either a 10" single-faced Victor patents or batwing label record. However, the disc shown spinning on the turntable is a 12" post-war RCA Victor (or HMV?) label record LOL.
An easily remedied anachronism considering the attention paid to period detail in so many other ways.

So the character has a violent demise--but probably painless--and obviously while in a contented moment haha.
Still, what a great and artistic scene it really is.

Additionally, the vintage recordings and newly recreated classic musical arrangements used throughout the series' run did a great service by drawing appreciation for this music from many younger viewers!

Steven

OrthoSean wrote:[quote

It's funny you mention Boardwalk Empire, I was just saying Friday at work that I think I need to watch it again from the beginning. Although there were a few very small errors with things (like that Caruso disc), the show paid painstaking attention to details and accuracies mostly and it's thoroughly entertaining as long as you can handle violence.

I'd love to have the Oak VTLA Nucky had in his office!

Sean

fran604g wrote:How about Sammy Davis Jr. eating a chocolate record in Vitaphone's Seasoned Greetings ca. 1933?

Happy holidays,
Fran

phonogfp wrote:

fran604g wrote:How about Sammy Davis Jr. eating a chocolate record in Vitaphone's Seasoned Greetings ca. 1933?

Happy holidays,
Fran

I just saw that on TCM, Fran! A cute little Vitaphone short featuring a young businesswoman starting a recorded greeting card company (think Greetaphone). Lots of phonographs and recording going on too.

George P.

Indestructible wrote:Not a full feature film but I love when the Little Rascals are playing around with a phonograph.
One short in particular had a Columbia BI being pulled around in a wagon. wish I knew the name of it.

estott wrote:

Indestructible wrote:Not a full feature film but I love when the Little Rascals are playing around with a phonograph.
One short in particular had a Columbia BI being pulled around in a wagon. wish I knew the name of it.

In THE LUCKY CORNER there's a Victor V with a wood horn : [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ-K7cEg33g[/youtube]

Indestructible wrote:

estott wrote:

Indestructible wrote:Not a full feature film but I love when the Little Rascals are playing around with a phonograph.
One short in particular had a Columbia BI being pulled around in a wagon. wish I knew the name of it.

In THE LUCKY CORNER there's a Victor V with a wood horn : [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ-K7cEg33g[/youtube]

How cool is that !
Thanks for posting the link, thats just what I'm talking about.