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Movietone News

John W. Pinkerton

oldjwpinkerton@gmail.com

Today when you go to a movie house, you probably get the pleasure of viewing previews of upcoming movies and messages urging you to purchase in the lobby the most expensive snacks in the world.  Back in the 40's and 50's and early 60's we got the same plus at least one cartoon and sometimes a Movietone newsreel.


The cartoons were great, but the Movietone feature was a special treat.  It was so big and bold with wonderful music performed by the Movietone News Orchestra and great narration sometimes performed by the great voice of Lowell Thomas.


Fox Movietone News produced newsreels from 1928 to 1963 in the US, and from 1929 to 1979 in the United Kingdom under the title British Movietone News. 


I imagine it was television news that killed Movietone, but before television, Movietone was the only way to see the news.


You never knew what news you would get.  It covered everything from wars to Hollywood to sports.


If you're not familiar with the Movietone News, you might want to take a peek at these examples:


Movietone News 1940s


Hollywood Gala for Awards of Academy 'Oscar'


Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day

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