Trivia

Early in 1913, Thomas Edison experimented with "Edison Talking Pictures" in which synchronized voices and sound effects were recorded on a cylinder disc played simultaneously with the film. Despite the novelty appeal, much promotion, and high hopes, the system was doomed from the beginning because of the primitive acoustical sound recording technique, the lack of amplification, and the inevitable synchronization problems. Robert Milasch appeared in at least two of these, 'Chimes of Normandy.' which featured scenes and sounds from the New York City stage success, of which no further documentation has yet been found, and also in _Nursery Favorites (1913)_, which not only survives, but has been restored and is presently accessible on YouTube. In latter day interviews, Milasch claimed the actors performed, and attempted to synchronize their words with the pre-recorded cylinders, played over an acoustical horn placed above the set.

In a 1939 interview, Robert Milasch told of his debut in films, which took place when he earned $2.50 per day working for Thomas Edison on Long Island. He described his first film as being something called 'Babes in a Barrel,' of which, not surprisingly, nothing further is known. He also claimed to have played two roles, both a trainman and a bandit, in Edison's Le vol du grand rapide (1903). In a 1944 interview, actor Paul Panzer claimed that he considered himself to have been the second oldest continuous actor in motion pictures, his career going back 44 years; Milasch, he was happy to admit, superseded him by one additional year. Modern documentation adds Charley Grapewin, who also filmed as early as 1900 and worked up to 1951, to the illustrious trio.