This black and white film from 1952 is the first in a training program series for retail salesmen called Destination: “Dotted Line”, presented by the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors Corporation. The film depicts the “Men of Pontiac” at work inside the Pontiac factory, which was founded in Pontiac, Michigan. The film captures smoke billowing from a huge manufacturing plant followed by close-ups of moving metal factory parts, steely cogs in a giant machine (:44-1:00). The General Motors Pontiac division was headquartered in Detroit, Michigan in the United States and lasted from the year 1926 to 2010, when it closed down and the company was reorganized. At 1:01, the film progresses to emphasize the human factor behind the corporation, showing men at work on cars and in assembly lines inside General Motors factories. At 02:39, David Strong is featured as a successful Pontiac salesman. His boss, presumably the head of General Motors during the time period when Pontiac was introduced, is alluded to but not mentioned directly. William C. Durant founded the automotive company in 1908 and it grew into one of the largest in the world. The film emphasizes Strong’s bright future and winning attributes while highlighting the important work done by other employees like him at General Motors (03:40-7:49). Dealership salesmen, or the “Men of Pontiac”, are praised for their professionalism, depth of knowledge, and personal virtues. All the selling tools and resources, including the Pontiac car itself, are emphasized and praised as helpful aids to all Pontiac car salesmen (08:17-09:33). The Destination: Dotted Line guidebook for selling Pontiac cars is presented while the speaker encourages its use, along with intuitive sales know-how furnished by the salesman himself (09:40-09:50). This training film was produced by Soundfilm Studios Inc. in Detroit, Michigan after General Motors introduced its Pontiac brand in 1926.

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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