Posted in: Comics, Vintage Paper | Tagged: black and white film, Don Juan, John Berrymore, romantic movie, silent era cinema

Own a Piece of the Silent Era with this Don Juan Program.

Are you looking for a unique piece from the silent era of cinema? Heritage Auction House has this piece of memorabilia, a Don Juan program from the films 1926 release. This program is in fine/very fine condition and features images of the cast from the film. The cover is beautiful royal purple, reflecting the romantic nature of the film.

Starring John Berrymore, this film was the first to utilize the Vitaphone. This provided a synchronized soundtrack, though this film was not a talkie. However, this was not the first sound film — sound in film dated back to 1895. This also has a large number of on-screen kisses, with Don Juan kissing the leading ladies some 191 times. Berrymore himself is one of my favorite actors, staring in the 1920 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from Paramount. His range was impressive, and admittedly he was easy on the eyes. 

Don Juan's use of the Vitaphone impressed audiences and critics. This New York Times article by Mordaunt Hall praised the use of the technology;

A marvelous device known as the vitaphone, which synchronizes sound with motion pictures, stirred a distinguished audience in Warners' Theatre to unusual enthusiasm at its initial presentation last Thursday evening. 

The future of this new contrivance is boundless, for inhabitants of small and remote places will have the opportunity of listening to and seeing grand open as it is given in New York, and through the picturing of the vocalists and small groups of musicians, or instrumental choirs of orchestras, the vitaphone will give its patrons an excellent idea of a singer's acting and an intelligent conception of the efforts of musicians and their instruments. 

I have seen a few other examples of the program online, and they range in price. Right now, this specific one is still sitting at its opening bid of $1, so now might be your chance to win an exciting piece from the silent era. Are you interested in bidding? You'll need a Heritage account, but accounts are free, plus you never know what other goodies you may find! Good luck and happy bidding!

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