Watch TV's First Music Videos: The Snader Telescriptions

TV's First Music Videos: The Snader Telescriptions is a 2002 documentary directed by Don McGlynn. The film explores the history of the Snader Telescriptions, which were a series of music videos produced in the 1950s for television. The documentary features interviews with music historians, television executives, and musicians, as well as rare footage from the Snader Telescriptions themselves.

The Snader Telescriptions were produced by Louis Snader, a San Francisco-based entrepreneur who recognized the potential of television as a platform for promoting music. In the days before MTV and YouTube, the Snader Telescriptions were a ground-breaking innovation, allowing viewers to experience live performances by their favorite musicians in the comfort of their own homes.

The documentary begins by exploring the cultural context in which the Snader Telescriptions were produced. In the 1950s, television was a new and exciting medium, and viewers were hungry for content. At the same time, the music industry was undergoing a revolution, with young musicians such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry challenging the old order of crooners and big bands.

Against this backdrop, Louis Snader saw an opportunity to bring viewers the latest and greatest in music. He assembled a team of talented directors, cameramen, and sound engineers, and set about creating the Snader Telescriptions.

The documentary features interviews with several of the key figures involved in the production of the Snader Telescriptions. One of these is Donn Bennett, a former cameraman on the series, who recalls the challenges of shooting live performances in the days before modern technology.

Another interviewee is Hal Jackson, a pioneering African-American disc jockey who helped to bring black music to a wider audience. Jackson hosted a television show in New York called "The Talented Teen Club", which featured performances by young musicians who would later become famous. Many of these performances were filmed by Snader Telescriptions, and Jackson speaks glowingly of their quality.

The documentary also features interviews with several music historians, who help to place the Snader Telescriptions in a wider context. They explain the significance of the music of the 1950s, and how it helped to break down racial barriers and unite young people from different backgrounds.

Interspersed with these interviews are clips from the Snader Telescriptions themselves. Viewers are treated to live performances by such legendary artists as Ray Charles, Little Richard, and Fats Domino. The quality of the footage is remarkable, considering the limitations of the technology at the time, and it is easy to see why these performances were so popular with viewers.

One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is the way in which it reveals the behind-the-scenes workings of the Snader Telescriptions. We see how the directors and cameramen worked together to create a sense of intimacy and excitement, even in the confines of a small television studio. We also see how the musicians themselves responded to the challenge of performing live on camera, often with just one take to get it right.

Throughout the film, there is a palpable sense of excitement and energy, as the young musicians of the 1950s help to usher in a new era of popular music. The Snader Telescriptions were an important part of this cultural revolution, and this documentary does an excellent job of telling their story.

Overall, TV's First Music Videos: The Snader Telescriptions is an engaging and informative documentary that will appeal to music lovers of all ages. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of television and music, and celebrates the creativity and innovation of those who helped to make it all happen.