Cinebox vs Scopitone (Four Stars)

I loved Scopitones the first time I ever saw them, back on the Higgins Boys and Gruber on the Comedy Channel. These cheaply-made musical programs made for a stand-up machine (normally found in a bar) gave you a chance to see your favorite performers singing their greatest hits. Well, if your favorite performer was a "B" act. And if they happened to do a Scopitone film of the song you wanted to hear AND see.

Later I discovered that Scopitone wasn't simply a French export to the United States but that there were British Scopitones as well, and Italian ones done in Cinebox. I could find little information on Cinebox but later I did manage to get VHS tapes and DVDs of non-US films. I came to appreciate Tiny Yong, Joi Lansing, Eden Kane, Johnny B. Great and the Kessler Sisters. But still I didn't feel like I knew the whole story.

NOW I have the full story. This book lays out the relationship between the Scopitone and Cinebox systems. It also provides some insight, for instance the fact that the technology used by both systems was developed and used during WWII to train pilots in navigation. That the Mafia unsuccessfully tried to import Cinebox into the U.S. How Debbie Reynolds was involved in finding talent for U.S. Scopitones. And finally, the problems that led to the end of Cinebox and Scopitone. And that some of the machines ended up being rebuilt as peep shows.

And if that wasn't enough, the book has a list of all the known Scopitone/Cinebox films! Many of these are available on YouTube, IF you know what you're looking for.

On the downside: There are some typos in the English text, including the listing of Tiny Yong as "Tiny Young." Also, the listing of films is by country (ies) and year group,  so if you are looking for a specific song but aren't sure if it was produced by Cinebox or Scopitone or when it was done it can be a little frustrating. Still, the book is lavishly illustrated with both color and BW photographs and advertising graphics. There is a lot of emphasis on Italian Cinebox films but that is understandable and Scopitone is still well-represented. Definitely something for the fan of the films!