Status Updates From A Sudden Flicker of Light: ...

In the first decade of sound, the factory that furnished optimism had to vouchsafe that every fool had a chance. That was despite the mounting experience of millions in the new land facing grim prospects...Hollywood said it was telling encouraging stories. But a few detected the outlines of fraudulent advertising..(That)could be sustained only if everyone anticipated winning. And so an engine of fantasy was ordained.

(Cont’d)
..In that newsreel of Dempsey vs. Tunney you can’t hear the punches, the bell, or the count; when John Gilbert kisses Garbo you can’t hear the friction of the mouths as if they are hopes. Aren’t we ready to hear them breathing?”

“There had always been sound at the movies. You could hear the rattle of early projectors. The customers chatted..translated inter-titles…others talked back to the screen; they laughed and cheered…barked at Rin Tin Tin. There was music..but an absence of sound that couldnt last…”

An utter disaster…