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Allan Ramsay.
Frame enlargement: Silent Era image collection.
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The Edison Kinetophone
(1913) United States of America
B&W : Short film
Directed by Allan Ramsay
Cast: Allan Ramsay [himself].
Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, production; distributed by The American Talking Picture Company, Incorporated. / Cinematography by Joe Physiog. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. Kinetophone sound-on-cylinder synchronized sound system. / Full-sound film.
Experimental: Sound film.
Synopsis: [Ramsay delivers the following speech] Ladies and Gentlemen, a few brief years ago Mr. Thomas A. Edison presented to the world “The Kinetoscope.” Inventors the world over have endeavored to synchronize the “Phonograph” and motion picture but it remained for Mr. Edison, to whom the world owes the “Phonograph” and motion picture, to combine his two great inventions into this one, which is now entertaining you and is called “The Kinetophone.” The Edison Kinetophone is absolutely the first genuine talking picture ever produced. The actor performs exactly as he does upon the stage, moving freely about, and his every word and every action are simultaneously recorded with all the realism of nature. In only this way can perfect synchronism and illusion be obtained. Consider for himself the historic value of a Kinetophone reproduction of George Washington, if it were possible to show it now, and we’ll realize then the opportunities of future generations to sign the great ones of today. The public orator can appeal to countless thousands while seated at his own fireside. The world’s great actors and singers of today can be seen and heard one hundred years from now. In fact, there seems to be no end to the possibilities of his latest and greatest invention of that wizard of sound and sight, Mr. Thomas A. Edison.
Survival status: Print exists in the Library of Congress film archive.
Current rights holder: Public domain.
Keywords: Early sound film - Synchronized sound film
Listing updated: 29 September 2018.
References: Film credits, film viewing : Geduld-Birth p. 67 : with additional information provided by Art Shifrin and Arthur E. Zimmerman.
Home video: DVD.
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