Syncopation (1929 film)

Syncopation
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Bert Glennon
Written by	Frances Agnew
Based on	Stepping High by Gene Markey
Produced by	Robert Kane
Starring	Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians Barbara Bennett Bobby Watson Ian Hunter
Cinematography	Dal Clawson George Webber Ian Hunter
Edited by	Edward Pfitzenmeier
Music by	Richard Myers Bud Green Herman Ruby Clifford Grey Sammy Stept Leo Robin
Distributed by	RKO Radio Pictures
Release date	March 24, 1929 (1929-03-24)[1]
Running time	83 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$1.2 million[2]

Syncopation is a 1929 American pre-Code musical film directed by Bert Glennon and starring Barbara Bennett, Bobby Watson, and Ian Hunter (although top billing went to Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians). It was the second film produced by RKO Radio Pictures and the first to be released by the studio, in March 1929;^[3] the company's first produced film, Street Girl, was not released until August 1929. The film was made at the company's New York City studios^[4] and is based on the novel Stepping High by Gene Markey. The film was heavily marketed on its release, being the first film to be broadcast over the radio, as well as RKO's first sound musical,^{[citation needed]} and was a significant success.^[5]

This film was the first made in the RCA Photophone sound-on-film process, and was an important test for Radio Corporation of America, which had invested heavily in the newly created RKO.