LaSalle & Randolph

The first major motion picture with sound, "The Jazz Singer" starring Al Jolson, was released in 1927. Although it was only partially a talking picture, it revolutionized the motion picture industry. The RKO Palace in Chicago pictured here entertained its audiences with both "talkies" and vaudeville. The term "vaudeville" originated in France, either from "voix de ville"(street songs) or "vaux de Vire" (valley of Vire") in Normandy, where the literary association Compagnons Gallois composed popular, satirical drinking songs. By the 18th century, the term "vaudeville" was used to describe popular light dramatics. The most popular vaudeville acts were highly diversified and included songs, dances, acrobatics, juggling, animal and magic acts, as well as dramatic and burlesque sketches which followed one another at a rapid pace.