First stereo sound movie

This page was last revised on 2009-05-25

 

First stereo sound movies

'Trains at Hayes Station', 1935

Alan Blumlein (1903-42), the inventor of stereophonic recording, made a few short test films in early July 1935, in which his original intent of having the sound 'follow' the actor was realised fully. The first was 'Trains at Hayes Station'; it is 487 feet, lasts for 5 minutes 11 seconds, and shows various steam trains arriving and departing from Hayes station, filmed looking down from an empty office building. [Alexander]

 

 

First surviving stereo sound movie including the human voice

'Stick Trick', 1935

Blumlein's second experimental film, dated 12 July 1935, and known as 'Stick Trick', runs for 116 feet, a total of 1 minute 15 seconds. Three men are shown - Albert Westlake, Philip Vanderlyn and Felix Trott - playing tricks with a short pole which they hold and then try to climb over without removing their hands from the ends. Frank 'Felix' Runcorn Trott (1911-2002) is the only participant who speaks on camera. [Alexander]

 

 

First stereo sound feature film

Sun Valley Serenade was filmed in March 1941, and premiered on 21 August that year. It had been filmed with a stereophonic sound track, but it was released in mono. The original sound track has subsequently been restored. Producer: Milton Sperling; director: H. Bruce Humberstone. [IMDB]

 

 

First surviving stereo sound movie including a female voice

Sun Valley Serenade (1941), as above.

 

 

Earliest-born person whose voice was recorded in a stereo sound film

No significant information yet located. Elizabeth 'Tiny' Jones (1875-1952), who appeared in How Green was My Valley (1941) may have been one of the earliest-born.

 

 

Earliest-born man whose voice was recorded in a stereo sound film

No significant information yet located. Gibson Gowland (1877-1951), who appeared in How Green was My Valley (1941) may have been one of the earliest-born.

 

 

© 2009 Benjamin S. Beck

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