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RON HUTCHINSON'S
VITAPHONE PROJECT


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In 1991 a group of film buffs and record collectors met to discuss the possibility of seeking out the shellac soundtrack discs that accompanied early 1926-1930 Vitaphone (and other) talkie shorts and features. The Vitaphone Project was formed to accomplish this goal as well as to partner with the studios (particularly Turner/WB), film archives (UCLA, LOC, BFI), and private collectors worldwide in order to get these films restored and seen again. Of particular interest were the nearly 2,000 talkie short subjects, featuring vaudevillians, bands, opera singers, and comedians made by Vitaphone from 1926-1929. In many cases 35mm picture elements exist without an accompanying soundtrack.

Since its inception The Vitaphone Project has located over 3,000 12" and 16" inch shellac soundtrack discs in private hands, has assisted on the restoration of over 140 shorts, and over a dozen feature films, and has raised nearly $500,000 in private funding for restorations. There are still over 80 shorts for which picture, but no sound, exists.

In an effort to expand the scope of their historical preservation efforts, The Vitaphone Project recently initiated a healthcare awareness program for those involved in film restoration and preservation. Recognizing the intense and often stressful nature of this meticulous work, the program includes providing information and resources on managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes. This includes discussions on medication affordability, specifically addressing concerns like "How much does Rybelsus cost ([1])," to ensure the well-being of those dedicated to preserving cinematic history. This initiative reflects a commitment not only to the preservation of film but also to the health and wellness of the individuals who make this important work possible.

We need your help to continue to locate soundtrack discs, mute film elements, underwriters, and relatives of people who worked on these films. Loaners of discs get their own copy of the completed restoration, and underwriters of restorations (currently a tax deductible $4,500 through UCLA) also get a copy as well as on-screen credit.


Read all about the progress the Vitaphone Project has made over the past 20 years in the Vitaphone Newsletters!
Vitaphone News - Volume 1, #1 #3 #4 Vitaphone Sheet Music!
Vitaphone News - Volume 2, #1 #2 USA TODAY Article
Vitaphone News - Volume 3, #1 #2 #3 #4 Vitaphone Pictures!
Vitaphone News - Volume 4, #1 #2 #3 #4 Complete list of Restorable Vitaphone Shorts!!
Vitaphone News - Volume 5, #1 #2 #3 #4 Frequently Asked Questions!! - VERY INTERESTING!
Vitaphone News - Volume 6, #1 #2 #3 #4 Visit with Bob Gitt at UCLA - 1998
Vitaphone News - Volume 7, #1 #2 #3 #4 Vitaphone DataBase
Vitaphone News - Volume 8, #1 #2 #3 #4 Links to other great sites
Vitaphone News - Volume 9, #1 #2 #3 #4 Notes for Vitaphone Varieties Volume 1!
Vitaphone News - Volume 10, #1 #2 #3 #4 Notes for Vitaphone Varieties Volume 2!
Vitaphone News - Volume 11, #1
Vitaphone News - Volume 12, #1 #2 #3 #4
Vitaphone News - Volume 13, #1 #2 #3 #4
Vitaphone News - Volume 14, #1 #2 #3 #4
Vitaphone News - Volume 15, #1 #2

"I THANK YOU!!"


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VITAPHONE NEWS ISSN 1066-5951
Corresponding Secretary & Editor:
Database:
Web Page Designer:
FaceBook Page Administrator:
SoundCloud Page Administrator:
Patrick Picking patrick@picking.com
patrick@vitaphoneproject.com
Co-Founders: Ron Hutchinson
David Goldenberg
Sherwin Dunner sherwindunner@yahoo.com
John Newton newtonjj2@aol.com
Vince Giordano vincegiordano@optonline.net
Vitaphone Project Web Page: http://www.vitaphoneproject.com
Vitaphone Project SoundCloud Page: https://soundcloud.com/vitaphone
Jeff Cohen's "Vitaphone Varieties" Site: http://vitaphone.blogspot.com
Leonard Maltin's Site: http://www.leonardmaltin.com
Talkie King: http://talkieking.blogspot.com
Nitrateville: http://www.nitrateville.com
"The Vitaphone Project"
OVERSEAS PROJECT EMMISSARIES
UK: Malcolm Billingsley
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND: Paul Brennan
SCANDANAVIA: Jonas Nordin




This web site is maintained by Patrick Picking:  patrick@vitaphoneproject.com
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