Scopitone

Doing research for posts sometimes brings back memories of strange encounters. It began, in this case, in 1968 at the Sea Dragon Club in downtown Taipei..

As pointed out in my Sea Dragon Club post, my Taipei evenings usually started in the stag bar area which was located at the front of the club.

I was happily putting quarters in my favorite Williams pinball machine when it began. James Brown was singing Cold Sweat which was no big deal.

However, this particular song was also being shown on a Wurlitzer which had a video screen. A young lady was dancing on the screen while James sang.

I don't know if it was an experiment or what, but I'd never seen anything like it before or since.

All kinds of key phrases have been googled, but no acknowledgement of this video/jukebox by Wurlitzer can be found. Does anyone else remember this machine?

What was found, however, was the precursor of the music video. It was as large as a refrigerator, had a 26 inch screen, and played 16mm films with an embedded soundtrack.

It was a European invention and lasted during the decade of the 1960s. It was called the Scopitone.

Almost all scopitone videos emphasize DANCING.

These video music boxes were first invented in France. Germany and England were next to catch onto this new technology.

Jane Morgan is an American singer shown and heard on this French video. She is still alive and her ability to sing in several languages served her well. Check out the dancers in this SONG.

By the time scopitone reached America, its popularity began to fade. Headquarters was in Chicago. 

This video is by Nancy Sinatra. Do you like BOOTS? 



The picture on the screen may be Joi Lansing. Who cares---watch THIS.



Some singers had bigger hits in Europe than the US. Jody Miller stars in THIS.

How about Neil Sedaka? Watch how many times he changes jackets. Do you have a favorite MONTH?



The Exciters and a ZOO

Herb Alpert and a TAXI





Bobby Vee in a strange VIDEO