Unraveling the Mystery of Why Old Silent Movies Are Called So

The term ‘silent movies’ can often leave viewers puzzled. However, it is a misleading term and not all movies that we call silent may have been completely silent. This article will explore the history and the reality behind the term 'silent movies.'

Defining Silent Movies

Technically, silent movies refer to films that do not have any vocal dialogues or background noises. This was indeed true of the early 20th century, particularly around the 1900s. During that time, the technology was not advanced enough to enable movies to have sound.
However, the common understanding of silent movies typically refers to those produced in the 1930s and 1940s, which featured no vocal dialogues but did have background sounds and music. A prime example of these movies is the work of Charlie Chaplin, who mastered this genre. The development of dubbing techniques was crucial in producing these films.

The Development of Synchronized Sound

Syncronized sound technology took a considerable amount of time to overcome several challenges. Technical problems, such as amplification for playback and synchronization, were common. It was not until the invention of the vacuum tube valve that electric amplification became feasible. A workable system for synchronized sound was not truly ready until the mid-1920s, though the technology for audio on film was available earlier.

Role of Music in Silent Movies

It is important to note that silent movies were not shown entirely silent. Most theaters had a live musical accompaniment, often provided by an orchestra or a piano player. These live performances complemented and enhanced the cinematic experience. Despite the presence of sound, the experience remained fundamentally silent in terms of dialogue and vocalizations until the development of synchronized sound.

Historical Milestone: The Jazz Singer

The turning point in the evolution of silent movies to talking pictures came in 1927 with the release of The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson. This film was groundbreaking as it utilized the Vitaphone system, which featured a phonograph record soundtrack. The movie was projected with a record player synchronized to the film, and when both were started simultaneously, the sound and visuals blended remarkably well.

Warner Brothers was the pioneer in using this technology with The Jazz Singer. The movie’s success paved the way for the transition to movies that would include spoken dialogues.

From that point on, the era of silent movies gradually came to an end as the industry transitioned to synchronized dialogue and eventually to full-blown talking pictures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the term ‘silent movies’ can be misleading, as these films often had background music or soundtracks. The transition from silent movies to talking films was a gradual process, driven by technological advancements. As the technology for synchronized sound improved, the silent movie era came to a close, giving way to a new era of cinematic experience.