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November 1993

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Subject:
From:
"Felicia H. Berke" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 11 Nov 1993 16:03:39 -0500
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I'd like to add that THE JAZZ SINGER used sound in one way (4 segments used
primarily for musical interludes), and Charlie Chaplin used it only
partially as well but in a completely different way.  Chaplin was relictant
to move into the sound era ("The Tramp"  character just *couldn't* be a
speaking character.
I'm thinking specifially of MODERN TIMES which I believe came out in 1936,
several years after sound became the 'norm'...the music is explicit and in
certain points 'talks' forthe characters.  But the only spoken words are
spoken by the factory's head honcho to the foreman--Via Video Screen--and
over the radio. Authority speaks but not in a real way..it's somewhat
detached.
Also, Chaplin's song is sung, but the words are nonsense. (my film
professor mentioned that the actual words are a compliation of about 5
different languages) So, my point is that The Tramp never *did* talk.  He
sang, but that's not talking. And his song was just gibberish anyway.
Sorry for the lecture. I know none of this information is extrememly
profound, but I find it just fascinating. Not just the use of sound, mind
you...film in general. But since we were talking about that transition...
 
        -Felicia
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Felicia H. Berke
Vassar College                   And all for love, and nothing for reward.
Poughkeepsie, NY                                 -Edmund Spenser
    12601
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