President Coolidge, Taken on the White House Grounds
About President Coolidge, Taken on the White House Grounds
On the White House lawn, President Calvin Coolidge gives a short talk on federal spending, taxation, and the economy. The picture is a Phonofilm, with his voice on the film.
Cast & crew
More about President Coolidge, Taken on the White House Grounds
Lee de Forest produced it. It was shot outdoors on 11 August 1924. AFI times it at 10 minutes. Silent Era lists 320 feet and a print in the Library of Congress, Maurice H. Zouary collection. The same day, Phonofilm recorded 1924 candidates Robert M. La Follette and John W. Davis. De Forest later replayed the Coolidge footage for investors. Coolidge said it had been cleared only for the campaign and asked the Justice Department to look into it.
Themes
Background
The film was made for limited use in the 1924 campaign and was shown with the recordings of the other candidates.
Look
The camera is outdoors on the White House lawn. De Forest's Phonofilm process put the sound on the film.
Music
Coolidge's speech is recorded on the Phonofilm track.
Preservation
A 35mm positive is in the Library of Congress, Maurice H. Zouary collection. Silent Era lists it as public domain in the United States.
Notes
- AFI calls Coolidge the first sitting president filmed with synchronized sound.
- A 1947 account in Development of Sound Films called the Coolidge and La Follette recordings the first major synchronized-sound newsreels.
- The speech is about spending and taxes, not a ceremonial greeting.
- A copy is on the Internet Archive.
Scenes
- Coolidge stands on the lawn and speaks on federal spending while the Phonofilm camera runs.
Also available
- Internet Archive (silent-president-coolidge-taken-on-the-white-house-grounds)
