The Broadway Melody as a silent

[drednm]

Here's an interesting ad:

[Big Silent Fan]

Nice piece of 'Poster Art' Ed. The artist certainly knew how to draw sexy women.

Since "The Broadway Melody" is just about my favorite musical ever, it's easy to believe how well it did back in 1929. If they really did this in a 'Silent' format, it would be interesting to see how they explained some of the scenes?

I suppose I could always try playing it with the sound off.

[drednm]

Nice piece of 'Poster Art' Ed. The artist certainly knew how to draw sexy women.

Since "The Broadway Melody" is just about my favorite musical ever, it's easy to believe how well it did back in 1929. If they really did this in a 'Silent' format, it would be interesting to see how they explained some of the scenes?

I suppose I could always try playing it with the sound off.

Yup. I wonder if they actually showed any of the musical numbers? Would the local musicians have had the music the the various songs?

[Jess McGrath]

Having just watched this film last weekend and enjoyed it quite a bit, the concept of a silent version is intriguing. I'm assuming it doesn't survive?

[CoffeeDan]

Ed, what's the date on this? I've been doing some related research on THE JAZZ SINGER, and found it was also released as a silent picture in February of 1928. It would make an interesting comparison.

[Donald Binks]

I guess that the musical numbers would have been presented intact with cutaways to intertitles of the lyrics. If there was a good orchestra in the pit to put the numbers across and audiences being familiar with the tunes from the wireless or gramophone records - then it probably would have succeeded quite well.

[drednm]

from Exhibitor's World Herald issue dated June 29, 1929

[wich2]

>audiences being familiar with the tunes from the wireless or gramophone record<

Donald, at that era, perhaps even more from sheet music!

I often read little memoirs in GOOD OLD DAYS magazine, and such was very common back then.