| September 29, 2006 |
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Scopitones
Without  France, we would not have Chanel No. 5, champagne, or Catherine Deneuve. And the world would smell less sweet, taste less bubbly, and look much less pretty. But another gift from the home of haute couture has been left to languish in the cultural junkyard. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Scopitone. This "film jukebox" was deemed a "monstrous new machine" by Time in 1964. Yeah, monstrously wonderful—and far ahead of its time. Listen and look as the Delta Rhythm Boys croon "Come Softly to Me." Luxuriate in Johnny Hallyday's stylishly slick "Noir C'est Noir" (yes, that's French for "Black Is Black"). And peer with delight as the Barbie-like Shani Wallis flits about a rustic setting while blessing man after handsome, Ken-doll man. The washed out colors, vampy numbers, and dulcet tunes conjure a bygone era of nightclubs, fine polyester wear, and airwaves untouched by MTV. Ooh la la. (in Music) |
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