Does the discovery of a 'talkie' made in 1926 change cinema history?

Available for over a year

News broke today of a discovery which may rewrite cinematic history. In 1926 Scottish playwright Graham Moffat's film - Till the Bells Ring - using pioneering audio technology which allowed sound and pictures to be synchronised, was premiered in Edinburgh. For decades, Alan Crossland’s 1927 film The Jazz Singer – starring Al Jolson – has been regarded as the world's first talkie, but does this newly discovered film - in the BFI archive in Hertfordshire - take its crown? Historians Marc David Jacobs – and Pamela Hutchinson, join us to discuss the significance of this find. Turner Prize-nominated artist Isaac Julien joins us to talk about his film work Lessons of the Hour – which is screening from this weekend until next April at Perth Museum, on the site where the renowned 19th century social reformer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass gave speeches to packed out audiences almost 200 years ago. Julien’s film reflects Douglass’ significant legacy and he tells us about his approach to “aesthetic reparation” and about the relevance of Douglass’ work today. We also hear about Douglass' extraordinary life, from his great-great-great grandson. And from ancient sculpture to an iconic 15th century painting by Botticelli and a gold bodysuit worn by Beyoncė, a new exhibition devoted to the Greek goddess of love and desire, Aphrodite, opens this week at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Writer and classicist Natalie Haynes guides us through the fascination with Aphrodite over five millennia. And we pay tribute to the Oscar-winning American actress Eva Marie Saint, star of North By Northwest and On The Waterfront, who has died at the age of 102. Presenter: Kate Molleson Producer: Mark Crossan