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Talkie Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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talkie

[ˈtɔːki ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

film genre

A talkie is a film or motion picture that includes synchronized sound, particularly spoken dialogue. This term emerged in the late 1920s with the advent of sound films, contrasting with silent films that preceded them. The introduction of talkies revolutionized the film industry, allowing for a new level of storytelling through dialogue and sound effects. The first successful talkie was 'The Jazz Singer' released in 1927. Talkies quickly gained popularity, leading to the rapid decline of silent films.

Synonyms

sound film, synchronized sound film, talking picture.

Examples of usage

  • The first talkie changed cinema forever.
  • In the 1930s, talkies became the norm.
  • Many classic films are considered legendary talkies.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The first movies were silent, with no sound, but the first 'talkie' was released in 1927, changing the film industry forever.
  • The term 'talkie' is used to describe films where actors speak, distinguishing them from earlier silent films.
  • The landmark film 'The Jazz Singer' is considered the first successful talkie, featuring synchronized sound and singing.

Cultural Impact

  • The introduction of talkies transformed Hollywood, leading to the creation of musical films that combined music and dialogue.
  • Certain genres, like comedy and romance, thrived more with talkies, allowing for better character interaction and storytelling.
  • With the advent of sound in film, actors had to adapt as not all silent film stars succeeded in the talkie era due to voice or accent.

Technology

  • The technology to record sound for films initially involved bulky equipment and live soundtracks, evolving rapidly over the years.
  • The first talkies used sound-on-disc systems, where audio was played from a vinyl record while the film was projected.
  • Advancements in sound technology eventually led to improved quality and the ability for films to have stereo sound and surround effects.

Artistic Evolution

  • Talkies encouraged the decline of the silent film era and opened new narrative possibilities, contributing to storytelling depth.
  • Filmmakers began to experiment with sound design, using it not just for dialogue but also for atmospheric effects and background scores.
  • The transition to talkies paved the way for future innovations in multimedia storytelling, merging audio with visual art.

Fun Facts

  • Some famous silent film stars struggled in the talkie era, with Charlie Chaplin famously embracing the silent style even as sound took over.
  • In modern slang, 'talkie' can refer to any film that emphasizes dialogue over action or special effects.
  • The success of talkies led to an explosion of new genres, including crime dramas and thrillers, which benefited from intense verbal exchanges.

Origin of 'talkie'

The term 'talkie' originated in the 1920s, combining the informal term 'talk', which means to speak or communicate orally, with the suffix '-ie' to create a colloquial noun. This word came into widespread use alongside the release of the first synchronized sound films. Before this innovation, films were silent, and any dialogue was conveyed through intertitles, which are text screens displayed between scenes. The transition to talkies represented a significant change in the filmmaking process, as it required new technology and altered the methods by which actors performed. As sound technology improved throughout the late 1920s and 1930s, talkies not only became a defining feature of popular cinema but also influenced the evolution of acting styles and film genres.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,774, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.