When the Talkies Were Young (1955): cast, story & where to watch
1955 · Film
Released in 1955, When the Talkies Were Young is a drama and documentary film directed by Robert Youngson, running about 20 minutes.
What it’s about. Warner Brothers looks back to the early days of talking pictures. Dwight Weist narrates film clips from five movies: "Sinner's Holiday," introducing James Cagney with a glimpse of Joan Blondell, "20,000 Years in Sing Sing," with a young Spencer Tracy and a younger Bette Davis, "Five Star Final," with Edward G. Robinson and a cameo from Boris Karloff, "Night Nurse," starring Barbara Stanwyck with a small role for Clark Gable, and "Svengali," with John Barrymore and Marian Marsh. Each movie is summarized and each star celebrated for work early in the history of sound cinema.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch When the Talkies Were Young page.
If you liked it. Fans of When the Talkies Were Young tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch When the Talkies Were Young (1955)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for When the Talkies Were Young change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- When was When the Talkies Were Young released?
- When the Talkies Were Young was released in 1955, with a runtime of about 20 minutes.