The first public screening using the Vitaphone process took place at the Strand Theater in New York City, marking a significant moment in the evolution of sound in film. Warner Bros. developed Vitaphone as a sound-on-disc system that allowed for the synchronization of audio with moving images. The screening featured the film 'Don Juan,' a silent film starring the celebrated actor John Barrymore, which was uniquely enhanced with a synchronized musical score and sound effects. As the audience experienced this innovative technology for the first time, the event created buzz and excitement around the possibilities of integrating sound into motion pictures.

In the weeks following the initial screening, the success of the Vitaphone process prompted Warner Bros. to produce more films with synchronized sound, including the famous 'The Jazz Singer' in 1927, which is often credited with revolutionizing the film industry. The introduction of sound not only transformed the production and storytelling techniques but also changed audience expectations. The industry began shifting from silent to sound films, leading to a seismic change in the entire cinematic landscape.

The event at the Strand Theater solidified the Vitaphone system as a viable method for adding sound to film, paving the way for the further development of sound technology in cinema. Its significance cannot be overstated, as it heralded the end of the silent film era and opened new creative avenues for filmmakers.