How to listen to music in 1950

Reel-to-reel

Thank you! Very helpful information.

My guess is that the "reel-to-reel" that Patricia91 suggested would be the likely format that producers would have used to audition voices. It's possible that, by '50, some demo "records" may have come into being. But, that would probably have been much more expensive, and less accessible.

My question would be how studio producers came by the demos that were used for voice- quality-only, in the first place.

The studio system was still in place, at that time. There may have been a department within "central casting," or large agencies (like William Morris) may have been able to provide voice suggestions.

You should pose this question on the "Classic Film" board, if you haven't already. I've never seen a question like this on that board. But, apart from those of us who just love classic films, there are some posters who are "buffs," in various phases of film/film-making. And, there are still a few who have worked in the industry.

I would also contact the Screen Actors' Guild. They may have an "archive" source that you could tap, or be able to turn you on to someone who might know.

The Motion Pictures Academy of Arts and Sciences awards several Oscars in the category of sound. They might be able to give you researchable resources, too.

Interesting question.
Good luck.

The whole idea of people sending in demo tapes sounds anachronistic. Agents would bring their clients around for personal auditions. The studios had many movie actors already in films to choose from. They would also be listening to popular records and radio programs and attending shows.

I seem to recall that in The Great Man, the girl talks about making a record at a machine in a penny arcade and sending it in to the radio station.

IIRC, Elvis made a record at a recording studio as a gift for his mother.

My mother had me sing a song on a record, probably at a dime store or similar, when I was a child in the late 40s.


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