Multiple-language version
Foreign Language Version is a type of sound film from the early talkie era 1929-1931 that was especially prepared for foreign markets. In the early days of sound films, it was common for Hollywood studios to produce foreign-language versions of their films using the same sets, costumes and so on. While many of these versions no longer exist, the Spanish-language version of Dracula 1931 is a notable exception.
The first foreign language versions began to be produced in 1929 and largely replaced the International Sound Version method for all major releases. The most common languages used for these productions were Spanish, French and German. Although quite a large number of these films were produced very few survive today. Some notable exceptions are the foreign language versions of Laurel & Hardy shorts, Charley Chase shorts, the Spanish version of "Charlie Chan Carries On" 1931, Buster Keaton's Spanish version of "Free And Easy" 1930 (entitled "Estrellados"), the German version of Greta Garbo's "Anna Christie", the German and French versions of "The Big House" 1930, and the Spanish version of "The Lady Who Dared" 1931 ("La Dama Atrevida"), etc.
In 1931, dubbing and subtitling became perfected and this, along with the Great Depression, led to the demise of the foreign language version. It continued to be utilized for special deluxe pictures, such as the French version of "The Merry Widow" 1934 and the French version of "Folies Bergere" 1935, until the mid 1930's and then quietly disappeared.