31. A million times a day (12:02)

Date:
1949
Summary:
Describes the vast telephone network, equipment and personnel involved in the completion of a long distance call. Shows how telephone lines and cables run all over the United States, through deserts and underneath mountains. Telephone employees can be found in similarly diverse places, laying cable, restoring service, conducting experiments and delivering supplies. The plan to make service available to everyone splits the country into eight regions with regional centers in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles. An animated map demonstrates how each regional center is linked to each of the others with a direct line and then to scores of other cities. Coordination and efficiency are required to get each call through. Dramatizes the longest call possible in the continental United States, from Eastport, Maine to Bay, California, and the connections the call goes through.

33. A new fire bomb (08:46)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Civilian Defense
Summary:
Describes and provides information about methods of defense regarding a recently developed type of German explosive fire bomb. In dramatic reenactments, wardens and civilians are warned to keep away from bombs that have fallen in the street. Various methods are shown for attacking bombs that have fallen in houses. The film demonstrates ways of applying water while taking advantage of the protection of brick walls.

34. A new supervisor takes a look at his job (12:36)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
See Other Contributors
Summary:
A machine tool operator is made a group leader and his plant superintendent explains to him, through dramatized illustrations, the meaning of working with people instead of machines.

35. A Safe Shop (12:09)

Date:
1955
Summary:
Describes the many safety rules applicable to the industrial arts shop. Shows such measures as the use of proper clothing, goggles, and shields; the spacing of work areas; the use of tools; the disposal of waste; and the storage of lumber and inflammable liquids. refers to the safe use of power tools, the care of electrical equipment, and proper conduct in the shop. Concludes with a review of the principal safety precautions.

36. A study in choreography for camera (02:37)

Date:
1945
Summary:
In this film the cinematographic space becomes itself an active element of the dance rather than being an area in which the dance takes place. The dancer shares with the camera and the cutting a collaborative responsibility for the movements themselves. Recommended for use only by groups interested in the cinematographical element of the dance.

37. Adventures of Chico (10:26)

Date:
1954
Summary:
"Roadrunner conquers rattlesnake" is an excerpt from the feature "Adventures of Chico." A young boy, Chico, is sleeping while his roadrunner pet explores nature. The roadrunner comes across a dangerous rattlesnake and the two go head to head.

38. African musicians (15:09)

Date:
1957
Summary:
Pictures and describes a number of common African musical instruments. Indicates the probable origin of the instruments. Among those shown and played are the tom-tom, skin drums, horns of various types, and the xylophone.

39. Airscrew (21:07)

Date:
1940
Main contributors:
Tharp, Grahame, 1912-
Summary:
This short nonfiction film depicts the intensive testing that goes into developing and producing aircraft propellers. It opens with the whirring or propeller blades. Animated diagrams show how the bite of the propeller moves it through the air and how the pitch determines the size of the bite. A trip through an airplane factory shows the manufacture of a satisfactory alloy. The rest of the process is painstaking hand work interspersed with dozens of careful inspections. The operation of the variable pitch mechanism and its use in taking off and cruising is shown. Then the propeller is assembled the complete job is tested for balance.

40. Alaska's silver millions (30:55)

Date:
1936
Summary:
This informative short film narrated by Father Bernard Hubbard 'The Glacier Priest' shows in detail the large and lucrative salmon fishing industry in Alaska, from the catching of the fish to their canning.