The Nation at Your Fingertips

The Nation at Your Fingertips 1951

1

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.

1951

Seconds for Survival

Seconds for Survival 1960

1

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.

1960

Body Care and Grooming

Body Care and Grooming 1947

3.10

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!

1947

Telstar!

Telstar! 1962

8.00

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.

1962

Frontiers of the Future: A Screen Editorial with Lowell Thomas

Frontiers of the Future: A Screen Editorial with Lowell Thomas 1937

1

“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.

1937

The Step by Step Switch

The Step by Step Switch 1951

1

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.

1951

It's Wonderful Being a Girl

It's Wonderful Being a Girl 1960

1

An informative film about menstruation presented by Personal Products Corporation, makers of Modess pads.

1960

The Story of a Star

The Story of a Star 1956

1

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.

1956

Progress on the Rails

Progress on the Rails 1952

1

A production from the Pennsylvania Railroad outlining the advancement of the country on the back of the locomotive.

1952

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time 1936

1

This was made for Metropolitan Life Insurance in 1934, by New York based Audio Productions. Directed by F. Lyle Goldman.

1936

Symphony in F

Symphony in F 1940

1

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.

1940