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In 1927 the world of entertainment changed with the introduction of the first talking picture, “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson.

Just two short years later, a Vitaphone machine was installed in the Badin Theatre. On Dec. 18, 1929, “Untamed,” starring Joan Crawford, opened in Badin becoming the first talking picture to be shown in Stanly County.

During late January 1930, the Columbia Theatre in Albemarle installed its own “talking machine,” known as a DeForrest Photo Film machine at a cost of nearly $7,000. The theatre held a preview to test the equipment on Jan. 30, with a formal opening the following evening.

The first talking picture shown in Albemarle was “Frozen Justice” starring Lenore Ulric.

The Alameda Theatre followed in February, installing its own DeForrest machine.

Unfortunately, their first talking picture is not known.

— {Lewis Bramlett – Stanly County Historical Society}