The Big Revue

About the production

This was one of the earliest sound shorts produced during the transition from silent to sound cinema. The film was shot using the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system, which required careful synchronization between the film projector and separate phonograph records. The production featured elaborate costumes and choreography for what was essentially a short subject, indicating the studio's investment in quality musical content. The young performers were likely local talent from the Los Angeles area, with the Gumm Sisters being brought in due to their growing reputation in vaudeville circuits.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

By the period, distribution networks were widening, and The Big Revue reached viewers through the same short-program bills that mixed comedy, news, and spectacle.

Why this film matters

For historians, The Big Revue is less a blockbuster than a datapoint—showing what audiences in its day could see on a typical program.

Making of

The Big Revue was produced during a pivotal moment in Hollywood history when studios were racing to capitalize on the new sound technology. The Gumm Sisters were discovered after their mother Ethel relentlessly promoted her daughters to various studios and talent agencies. Warner Bros. cast them in this short as part of their strategy to create content for their Vitaphone sound system. The young performers faced grueling rehearsal schedules, often working long hours to perfect their routines. The film required multiple takes due to the technical challenges of early sound recording, where any extraneous noise could ruin a take. The elaborate costumes, particularly for the Arabian number, were created by Warner Bros.' costume department and reflected the studio's commitment to production values even for short subjects. The children's performances were carefully choreographed by dance specialists who understood how to showcase young talent while maintaining technical precision.

What critics said

Press clipping files from the era rarely give The Big Revue headline space; mentions appear in roundup columns listing what played that week.

Did you know?

• This is one of the earliest surviving film appearances of Judy Garland, who was only 8 years old at the time of filming and still known by her birth name Frances Gumm.
• The Gumm Sisters performed regularly at their parents' theater in Grand Rapids, Minnesota before moving to California to pursue film opportunities.
• The film was produced as part of Warner Bros.' Vitaphone Varieties series of musical shorts designed to showcase sound technology.
• The Arabian-themed finale reflects the popular fascination with exotic and oriental themes in entertainment during the late 1920s and early 1930s.
• The film's preservation is remarkable given that many early sound shorts from this era have been lost due to the deterioration of nitrate film and separation of sound discs.
• The young orchestra leader featured in the film was likely a child actress rather than an actual conductor, chosen for visual appeal.
• The high-kicking dance routine with tambourines was influenced by the Ziegfeld Follies style of chorus line performances popular on Broadway.
• This short represents an important transitional moment in cinema history when studios were experimenting with how to best utilize the new sound technology.
• The gymnastic dance number performed by the boy and girl duo reflects the popularity of acrobatic dance styles in early sound musicals.
• The film was likely shown in theaters as part of a double feature or before the main attraction, as was common for short subjects of this period.

Visual style

The cinematography of The Big Revue reflects the technical limitations and innovations of early sound filmmaking. The camera work is relatively static due to the cumbersome sound recording equipment of the era, which restricted camera movement. The film was likely shot with early sound-proofed camera blimps to prevent motor noise from being picked up by the sensitive microphones. Lighting techniques were adapted for sound recording, with fewer open lights to reduce noise, creating a softer, more diffused look. The cinematographer had to carefully frame the musical numbers to capture both the performers and their choreography while maintaining proper microphone placement. The Arabian-themed finale showcases more elaborate lighting effects, demonstrating how cinematographers were beginning to explore creative possibilities within sound technology constraints.

Innovations

The Big Revue represents an important technical achievement in early sound cinema, demonstrating the Vitaphone system's capability to capture complex musical performances with multiple performers. The film successfully synchronized elaborate dance routines with pre-recorded music, a significant challenge in early sound filmmaking. The production managed to record clear audio from child performers, which required specialized microphone placement and amplification techniques. The film's preservation of both picture and sound elements is notable, as many Vitaphone shorts have lost their sound discs over time. The technical crew overcame the limitations of early sound equipment to create a polished musical short that maintains entertainment value while showcasing the new technology's possibilities.

Music

The soundtrack for The Big Revue was recorded using the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system, which captured the musical performances and dialogue on separate phonograph records synchronized with the film projection. The music consists primarily of upbeat, cheerful numbers typical of vaudeville and early musical theater, arranged for the young performers. The Gumm Sisters' number features three-part harmonies that showcase their vocal talents even at their young ages. The orchestral accompaniment was likely provided by Warner Bros.' studio musicians, playing arrangements that complemented the choreography and visual spectacle. The sound quality, while primitive by modern standards, was considered advanced for its time, with clear reproduction of the children's voices and the musical instruments. The soundtrack preserves the performance styles of the era, including the precise enunciation and projection techniques required for early sound recording.

Famous quotes

And now, ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to present the talented Gumm Sisters!

Let's give a big hand to our wonderful young performers!

Music and dance bring joy to everyone, especially when performed by such talented children!

Memorable scenes

• The opening number featuring the chorus line of girls performing synchronized high kicks with tambourines, creating a spectacular visual display of precision and energy.
• The Gumm Sisters' performance where young Judy Garland showcases her remarkable vocal talent alongside her sisters, hinting at the superstar she would become.
• The Arabian-themed finale with elaborately costumed girls performing exotic dance moves, demonstrating the era's fascination with oriental themes.

What audiences thought

The Big Revue was well-received by theater audiences of 1930 who appreciated the variety and talent showcased in musical shorts. The film's energetic performances and colorful numbers provided welcome entertainment during the difficult economic times of the Great Depression. Modern audiences, particularly classic film enthusiasts and Judy Garland fans, view the short with great interest as it offers a rare glimpse of the future superstar in her childhood. The film has gained renewed appreciation through film festivals and archival screenings where it's often presented as part of programs celebrating early sound cinema or Judy Garland's legacy. Its availability on home video and streaming platforms has introduced it to new generations of viewers interested in Hollywood's golden age.

Film connections

Influenced by

• Ziegfeld Follies
• Vaudeville circuits
• Broadway musical revues
• Hollywood musical shorts
• Vitaphone Varieties series

This film influenced

• Later Judy Garland musicals
• MGM's "Babes in Arms" series
• Hollywood child star vehicles
• Warner Bros. musical shorts

Film restoration

The Big Revue is preserved in the Warner Bros. film archive and has been restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. Both the picture and Vitaphone soundtrack elements survive, making it one of the better-preserved examples of early sound shorts. The film has been included in various DVD collections of early sound cinema and Judy Garland's early work. Its preservation status is considered good, with regular screenings at film archives and classic film festivals ensuring continued access for researchers and enthusiasts.

Where to watch

• The film is available on the DVD collection 'Judy Garland: The Signature Collection'
• Can be viewed through Warner Bros. Archive streaming service
• Occasionally screened at film festivals specializing in classic cinema
• Available through some classic film streaming platforms
• Accessible for research viewing at the UCLA Film and Television Archive