SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Now a story about a movie, a mystery, an invention and a personal discovery. NPR film critic Bob Mondello went down a rabbit hole recently when he saw a movie he could not get out of his head. We asked him to explain.
BOB MONDELLO, BYLINE: I suspect it's because I saw the period drama "The History Of Sound" right around what would have been my dad's birthday that I clocked that it was partly set in 1919, the year of his birth. The movie's about two music students, David and Lionel, played by Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal...
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "THE HISTORY OF SOUND")
JOSH O'CONNOR: (As David White) What else do you know?
PAUL MESCAL: (As Lionel Worthing) More than you, likely.
B MONDELLO: ...Who meet in a New England bar, arguing over who knows the most obscure folk song.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "THE HISTORY OF SOUND")
MESCAL: (As Lionel Worthing) How about "Silver Dagger"?
O'CONNOR: (As David White) No.
MESCAL: (As Lionel Worthing) Oh, it's such a pretty song.
O'CONNOR: (As David White) Well, come on. Let's hear it.
MESCAL: (As Lionel Worthing) I don't usually sing like this, with everyone talking.
O'CONNOR: (As David White) Oh. Excuse me.
MESCAL: (As Lionel Worthing) No.
O'CONNOR: (As David White) Quiet, please.
MESCAL: (As Lionel Worthing) I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.
O'CONNOR: (As David White) Now, you have to sing.
B MONDELLO: So Lionel sings.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "THE HISTORY OF SOUND")
MESCAL: (As Lionel Worthing, singing) Don't sing love songs.
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