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I was just over at YouTube where I found this great film clip of the Abe Lyman Orchestra playing Varsity Drag from 1928.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK9k4_xzh8Y[/youtube]

Paal-

I love these Vitaphone shorts done before they could dub , so we get to see them REALLY play what we are hearing on the soundtrack. I wasn't very long before the audio engineers started to dub! For example I think a lot of the King of Jazz is dubbed, meaning they're synching with a pre recorded performance.
And the versatility of ' twenties reed players: the section looked like a display in the Selmer Catalogue and they played'em all.

Jim

Paal,

That's a great one! I love it.

Regards,
John

Lenoirstreetguy wrote:I love these Vitaphone shorts done before they could dub , so we get to see them REALLY play what we are hearing on the soundtrack. I wasn't very long before the audio engineers started to dub! For example I think a lot of the King of Jazz is dubbed, meaning they're synching with a pre recorded performance.
And the versatility of ' twenties reed players: the section looked like a display in the Selmer Catalogue and they played'em all.

Jim

Jim,

I agree with you! These "pre-dubbed" Vitaphone shorts are just great! I agree with you that parts of "The King of Jazz" could be dubbed. Paul Whiteman is certanly "dubbed" when he starts his little dance number

Paa.

Neophone wrote:Paal,

That's a great one! I love it.

Regards,
John

John,

Abe Lyman had one heck of a band. They were excellent.

Paal.

Paal,

I never pass up a Lyman record Heh heh! He's in my top ten!

Regards,
John

Why not compile a selection of musical Vitaphone shorts from the '20s here?

Here's Gus Arnheim & his Ambassadors from 1928:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b7X2vsZ0vI

Gus Arnheim & his Ambassador Hotel Orchestra from 1928:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVN1Cx63 ... re=related

Gus Arnheim & his Ambassadors - "Tiger Rag"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiW9CcjH ... re=related

Hazel Green and Company from 1928:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHYHAh88 ... re=related

Red Nichols & his Five Pennies from 1929:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuj8hqDu ... re=related

Ben Bernie from 1925:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc5ftDJr-mo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAExrFCVVT0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmCiNb8 ... re=related



Rocky

Rocky, I think those Ben Bernie flicks are Lee DeForest films, not Vitaphone, per se. I wish someone would make professional-quality DVD transfers of these, as well as all the Vitaphones you listed.

Rocky,

Great idea! I'm pretty sure there are some good ones from Pathé News as well. Maybe not as good as the Vitaphone and DeForest films, but fun nonetheless!

Regards,
John

Neophone wrote:Rocky,

Great idea! I'm pretty sure there are some good ones from Pathé News as well. Maybe not as good as the Vitaphone and DeForest films, but fun nonetheless!

Regards,
John

There are some good Pathé ones as well.

One with Al Bowlly that has been posted here.

The Savoy Orpheans with Howard Jacobs, Carroll Gibbons and Frances Day: http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=9021

Jack Hylton & his Orchestra: http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=8815

Henry Hall & the BBC Dance Orchestra, first playing cricket, then they play the tune "Here's to the next time": http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=9141

Paal.