Film History Transition to Sound Production Code It Happened One Night

Silent Film was an Art Form Sophisticated Language of Film –Shot, Scene, Sequence –Lighting, Camera Angle –Editing –Mise en Scene (Staging the action)

Movies talk…. Early experimentation with technology –Synchronization –Amplification By 1929 Silent film was history –Early sound was characterized by inert camera encased in sound proof glass.

Problems with early sound… Limited or no mobility Sound quality muffled Microphone placement determined scene design Mixing (sound realism) SOF established at 24fps –MOS or SIL was 16 fps

Early Sync Sound Lee DeForest demonstrates sound on film

Sound Booth

The Jazz Singer 1927 Basically a silent film with sound sequences Warner Brothers Audiences were already intrigued with RADIO Heralded the ascendance of the “talkies” Jolson performs in blackface in several scenes

The Jazz Singer

Major Economic Change in Industry Sound was expensive New Needs –Sound Stages –Theatres wired for sound –Many actors/directors did not survive the transition to sound –Raided NY for stage directors actors who could speak! writers

Sound Revived the Film Industry The Little Three 1929 –Paramount $15million vs. $8 million –Warner’s $17million vs. $2million –Fox $9million vs. $5million

It Happened One Night A spoiled heiress, running away from her family, is helped by a man who's actually a reporter looking for a story. But then he falls for her... Director: Frank Capra Release Date: 23 February 1934 (USA)

Screwball Comedy War of the sexes –Supplanted real sex –Verbal sparring/witty dialogue Women were equal or better Often took on or challenged the traditional roles or conventions for women

Famous Teams Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy –Adam’s Rib, Desk Set, Pat & Mike Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert –It Happened One Night Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn –Bringing Up Baby, Holiday Gable and Carol Lombard

Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable

Frank Capra Immigrant WWI 2 nd Lt. Navy worked for Mack Sennett Later a director at Columbia Pictures Documentaries as well as feature films (Why We Fight - WW2)

Best Director 3 Oscars 1934 It Happened One Night 1936 Mr. Deeds Goes to Town 1938 You Can’t Take It With You Nominated 1939 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1946 It’s a Wonderful Life Frank Capra