The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk

Top 10 Billed Cast

Scott Eyman
Scott Eyman

Self

Rudy Behlmer
Rudy Behlmer

Self

Robert Gitt
Robert Gitt

Self

Jonathan Kuntz
Jonathan Kuntz

Self

A.C. Lyles
A.C. Lyles

Self

Ben Burtt
Ben Burtt

Self

Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin

Self

Vince Giordano
Vince Giordano

Self

Rose Marie
Rose Marie

Self

Dane A. Davis
Dane A. Davis

Self

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  • HomePage

  • Overview

    Film historians, and survivors from the nearly 30-year struggle to bring sound to motion pictures take the audience from the early failed attempts by scientists and inventors, to the triumph of the talkies.

  • Release Date

    2007-09-02

  • Average

    7

  • Rating:

    3.5 starts
  • Tagline

  • Genres

  • Languages:

    English
  • Keywords

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