Made in late 1946 or early 1947, this industrial film “New Automobiles” was produced by ABC and broadcast on that company’s television network. At the time it was made, the industry was falling well short of its goals in terms of auto production, and the film seeks to explain that crisis. The film begins with a look at the wartime contribution of America’s automobile industry, and then examines fitful transition back to making civilian vehicles. The film includes footage of the heads of the industry and factories of various companies including Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Hudson, Studebaker, Willys-Overland and Packard. The film shows the complex supply chain that supports manufacture of automobiles, and underscores the need to find innovative solutions to streamline the process and allow more cars to be made.
The film begins with shots of an auto factory during WWII producing tanks instead of cars, as well as artillery shells (2:30). Today, cars are once again being made, and the American public is interested in up to 10 million new cars. (1:35-4:02). At (4:08) a showroom is seen at a car dealer. A couple does some window shopping and then enters the dealership They talk with a salesman (4:03-5:22). An industry business meeting reveals that the production of automobiles by the industry is not meeting target goals by half (5:23-7:07). A man smokes a cigar in an office, George W. Mason of Nash – Kelvinator and head of the American Automobile Manufacturer’s Association, indicates a lack of supplies is hampering production. James D. Mooney of Willys – Overland, maker of Jeep, dictates to a secretary. Chrysler president, K.P. Keller, talks to stock holders. Hudson President A.E. Barrett, speaks in front of a sign (8:21). C.E. Wilson, president of General Motors talks with two associates. Paul Hoffman, president of the Studebaker Corp. Postwar conversion of a plant from war production to production of civilian cars is now shown (7:08-9:26). Designers are shown creating streamlined new car designs (9:27-11:29). Now the film focuses on some of the raw materials that go into car production — some of them are not what the public might think. Wheat field. A tractor, cows. Bees. African Americans harvest cotton in the fields. Sugar cane workers. Men chop rubber trees. Men chop crops, trudge through water. Piles of dirt. Iron ore mine pit. Factory at the mine pit. Animated chart shows auto mass production (11:30-13:47). A modern automobile plant assembly line. A man makes sure pieces are properly put in place, another hammers parts in. An engine block is pieced on the line. Completed engines move by a mini crane (13:48-15:37). Men use pulleys for pieces. A tire is placed into the back of a vehicle for shipment overseas. The vehicle is crated and then put on a ship, and ends up in what appears to be India where it is re-assembled. Now the film shows South American countries and other nations where raw materials are sourced for auto production. At (17:43), auto executives board a Chicago and Southern Airlines DC-3 airplane, on a tour to educate dealers about production problems. Western Union telegrams
(15:38-18:33). Bearings, brake springs, thermostats, pistons, shafts, work gloves, paper, etc. Office staff. Logistics — because FEDEX doesn’t yet exist, important parts that are delaying production are shipped on a Capital Airlines plane (18:34-20:14). The plane comes in for a landing in Willow Run Airport in Michigan. A Fisher Body tractor trailer pulls out of the airport and heads for the highway. At a designated spot, the truck stops, removes the trailer, and another truck continues on with the urgently needed parts. Now, a long montage showing an auto factory in full operation. (20:15-23:18). Men walk into work. The truck unloads the vital parts. A factory smokestack. White hot coke is put into cars for delivery to blast furnaces. Sparks fly as steel is made. The ingot is removed from the furnace and brought by crane to the finishing mill. Metal pieces come out of a machine. Some pieces are then fed into a machine. A board that shows trim pieces (23:19-26:17). Floors are swept and shavings are recycled. The pieces are placed into a baling machine. Bales are placed onto a conveyor and then put into a furnace. Steel is drilled. A sample is examined in an auto laboratory. A test for tensile strength is performed. A Ford sedan maneuvers on a test track. A truck carries new cars including a woody type station wagon from the factory ready to be sold (26:18-29:34). The couple who want to buy a new car shake the salesman’s hand and leave, having made a deal to buy a new car (29:35-30:08). End credits (30:09-30:17).
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
