History of the United States II / Unit 9 USH2 1205 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Talkies
Captions available
The idea
The Jazz Singer of nineteen twenty-seven, starring Al Jolson, was the first feature film with synchronised sound, the first talkie.
In practice
The Yawp's account of the Warners spending half a million dollars to equip two theatres for sound.
Where people slip
Digital History notes that immigrants formed much of film's early audience, and that The Jazz Singer dramatised the immigrant experience.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
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