This ad from the March 9, 1931 Simpson’s Leader-Times (Kittanning, PA) is in no way subtle. The consequences of using recorded music at theatre performances rather than live musicians are, “Monotony in the theatre – corruption of taste – destruction of art.” Yikes.
Here is a struggle of intense interest to all music lovers. If the Robot of Canned Music wrests the helm from the Muse, passengers aboard the good ship Musical Culture may well echo the offer of Gonzalo to trade “a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of ground.” Are you content to face a limitless expanse of “sound” without a sign of music?
Monotony in the theatre – corruption of taste – destruction of art. These must inevitably follow substitution of mechanical music for living music.
Millions of Music Defense League members cordially invite you to join them in putting the Robot in his place. Just sign and mail the coupon.
See also:
The Future is Now (1955)
All the Music of the Centuries (1908)
“I Can Whip Any Mechanical Robot” by Jack Dempsey (1930s)
The Robot is a Terrible Creature (1922)
Gigantic Robots to Fight Our Battles (Fresno Bee, 1934)
Mammy vs Robot (Charleston Gazette, 1937)
