Promotional film introducing self-service long-distance dialing using a prototype service in Englewood, New Jersey. Demonstrates how direct dial and the new area code system enable callers to make contact instantly without operator assistance.
This educational film emphasizes the importance of good grooming and personal hygiene habits. Clothes should always appear clean and neat, and should be appropriate to the classroom setting. (Inappropriate dress makes you uncomfortable and conspicuous, not a good thing!) The functions of the skin are examined in scientific detail. Methods for cleaning the skin are demonstrated. Besides maintaining skin and body health, good grooming habits will help you "fit in" in various social situations, and may even help a gal attract a boyfriend!
Cold War film illustrating the defense capacity of America's telephone network, highlighting AT&T's role in the design and construction of the nation's integrated defense structure, including the Distant Early Warning Line and the North American Air Defense Command. In the dramatic ending, rockets and missiles are fired at hostile forces in a readiness exercise and score a direct hit.
Advances in chicken and egg farming.
The story of how the Bell System, in cooperation with NASA, developed the Telstar satellite and participated in the launch and the subsequent successful transmission of signals to and from the earth and space.
“Where are tomorrow’s opportunities? What’s ahead in America for you and your children?” asks narrator Lowell Thomas. Looking into the future, Thomas predicts economic revitalization made possible through industrial research. The “frontiers” are emerging fields such as aviation and television broadcasting that will create new opportunities and products for Americans.
With Western Electric Vacuum Tubes in the starring roles, this film tells the fascinating story of tube development from the first crude bulbs of Edison and De Forest to the powerful and efficient tubes in use today, and shows the prominent part they play in radio, long-distance telephony, public address systems, sound motion pictures and the phonograph.
This AT&T informational film describes in detail how step-by-step switches work, and demonstrates their real-time operation by calling a 5-digit phone number from another dial telephone.
An informative film about menstruation presented by Personal Products Corporation, makers of Modess pads.
The Deering Milliken Research Corporation sponsored this visually striking production to push Agilon, a "new and better stretch yarn for stockings." A narrator tells us that "people want better, newer, more beautiful things" and that Agilon is superior to standard Nylon, which has "no standard for stretch." The rhetoric in this film is more or less typical, but its stylish visual look makes it memorable. Lots of leggy models and sparse fifties sets.
A story of progress in railroad transportation
A production from the Pennsylvania Railroad outlining the advancement of the country on the back of the locomotive.
This was made for Metropolitan Life Insurance in 1934, by New York based Audio Productions. Directed by F. Lyle Goldman.
Film inspired by Ford's "Cycle of Production" exhibit at the 1939-40 New York World's Fair. At the Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford assembly line employees do their jobs to the accompaniment of an orchestra. "From the earth come materials to be transformed by Ford men, management and machines," begins the narrator as animated purchase orders stream from the corporate headquarters. Puppets transport raw materials to Ford's Rouge plant, where the fantasy switches to live action. The company's 28 millionth car is built to Edwin Ludig's Symphony in F, with "F" standing for Ford.
