Now We're Talking: The Story of Theodore W. Case and Sound-On-Film (Paperback)

~ (Author), Luke P. Colella (Contributor)
Key Phrases: movie moguls, talking movies, Ted Case, New York, Case Research Laboratory (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Between 1928 and 1929 silent movies slipped away and "talkies" took over theaters around the world. Movie producers rushed to carve their names on the revolution, pushing aside the scientist who invented the tools that transformed the industry. Now We're Talking is the exciting biography of Ted Case (1888-1944). In a backyard laboratory in Auburn, New York, Ted discovered a way for sound and action to be synchronized on moving film and then replayed as a natural illusion. The book looks at Ted's fascination with light and sound waves at Yale University and his top-secret work during World War I. It follows his rise to the pinnacle of motion pictures and exposes the business deals of movie moguls that deprived him of recognition and his life's legacy. Although written with the intermediate reader in mind, scientists, historians, inventors, movie engineers and students of all ages will be deeply moved by Ted's perseverance and passion for research and development. The story of Theodore W. Case, one of the great inventors of the 20th century, has now been told. "An important contribution to motion picture history." Fay Vincent, former Chairman of Columbia Pictures

About the Author

After touring the birthplace of talking movies, 8-year-old Luke Colella asked to buy a book about the famous inventor who put sound on film. He was told a biography was never written. Inspired, mother and son began filling the gap and writing the untold story of Theodore W. Case. Now 10, Luke enjoys music, collecting baseball cards, sports, family, friends and school. His mother, Antonia (Toni) Colella, is a reading teacher with degrees from Rosary Hill College, George Washington University and Syracuse University. She has written articles on education for newspapers and professional journals, and in 1999 created the New York State Newbery Quiz Bowl. Mother and son enjoy life in Auburn, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (November 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410795152
• ISBN-13: 978-1410795151
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,899,796 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theodore W. Case - Loud & Clear!, April 9, 2004

By	Karen Colizzi Noonan (Geneva, NY USA) - See all my reviews

It's about as far away from Hollywood as you can get, both geographically and philosophically, but Tinseltown owes a great debt to Auburn NY, nonetheless. It was here, in the unlikeliest of places, that Theodore W. Case invented the process of putting sound on film, and forever changed the Moviegoing Experience(...).

The story of Theodore Case is obscure to all but the most avid film buffs. From his days at Yale, Case had a fascination with light and sound waves. Using his sharply inquisitive mind, and working out of a backyard greenhouse that he converted into a laboratory, Case unlocked the mystery of synchronizing sound and motion into one remarkable process.

Sadly, his logical inventor's mind never imagined the devious lengths movie moguls would go to in order to deprive him of the process and the credit for this monumental discovery. To this day, many people still believe that the Fox Corporation invented the process of sound on film, indeed winning a special Academy Award for their "discovery".

Thanks to Luke and Toni, there is now solid, documented, accurate printed information to set the record straight and give Theodore W. Case his due. Although the text is written from an intermediate readers level, the book will delight anyone with a genuine interest in movies, inventions or underdogs. It is well worth the read and a must-have addition to any movie lover's library!

5.0 out of 5 stars I beg to differ, Mr. Crank ..., September 6, 2009

By	Antonia K. Colella "Toni K. Colella" (Auburn, New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dear Mr. Crank,
Now We're Talking is the best biography on Theodore W. Case available today. Fay Vincent, former Chairman of Columbia Pictures, commented that the book is "an important contribution to movie history". Our book on Mr. Case offers thorough research and provides the reader with insights into Mr. Case's personal life and professional accomplishments that exist no where else. In fact, we worked closely with Mr. Case's daughter and grandson who graciously wrote the Introduction to our book, making sure our book was a fitting tribute to Mr. Case. Yes, Mr. DeForest and Mr. Fox robbed Ted Case of recognition as the inventor of sound-on-film, but Mr. Case rose about this - see page 84 -. Your review must be referring to another book. You mentioned a lack of pictures ... our book has 25 photos and even presents a copy of an original letter from Thomas Edison to Case that has never before been made public.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Poor Theodore Case Book, March 11, 2009

By	James D. Crank "Car Historian" (Redwood City, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Simplistic and childish and lacking so much information about Case and the development of sound-on-film movies, it isn't even funny. This book isn't even worth $2.00.
The fight with DeForest is totally missing in any detail, since DeForest tried to cheat Case and embezzled his funds. DeForest was a self serving liar, stock swindler, cheat and desperate for any publicity all his life. Claimed inventions, like Case's, as his own for stock sales purposes.
Other books on the era, "Speed of Sound" and others, had the detailed information, why not in this book too? DeForest did not invent sound-on-film as his biographers claim, Case was far ahead of him with a superior system that gave much better sound reproduction.
Photo content is the absolute minimum, should have had a lot more.
A cheap sleazy book and does Case no credit at all. He deserves a lot better than this one.
Very disappointing and returned to Amazon as just not good enough for the price.