Produced by Studio Productions, Inc., “Sounds Familiar” (c.1960s) is a promotional film in Technicolor made for the Bell Telephone Company. Hosted by Tom Shirley, the film offers an in-depth explanation on the science and technology behind what allows phones to transmit the familiar voices of friends and loved ones. The film features a combination of live-action footage featuring cultural figures and movie stars of the day, like ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and sports commentator Red Barber, using the Bell CD500 rotary dial phone, as well as some animations. The film ends with behind-the-scenes footage from a Bell factory and details how the phones are produced on the assembly line.
Film opens, Bell Telephone Company logo in center of rotary dial (0:09). Bell CD500 rotary dial phones in various colors (0:28). Tom Shirley answers phone (0:31). Red Barber sits in TV studio with little league baseball players; talk to Tom Shirley on phone (1:56). Red Barber on phone with Arlene Francis, shot of Arlene in dressing room wearing white gown (2:47). Arlene Francis picks up another call with puppet character Charlie McCarthy (voiced by ventriloquist Edgar Bergen), shot of Charlie McCarthy in mid-century modern living room (3:51). Close-up Western Electric Bell System transmitter speaker 66B 9-70 (4:39). Edgar Bergen in another living room on phone with Charlie McCarthy, footage flashes between Charlie McCarthy, Edgar, and Arlene (4:44). Charlie McCarthy, Edgar on phone with Tom (6:39). Tom explains how voice captured on phone; Tones of individual’s unique speaking voice captured on screen of oscilloscope (8:33). Single guitar string strung, moves back and forth representing invisible sound waves; Explanation of sound waves: Animation of tiny particles appears, how vibration of string affects sound produced (9:05). Animation explaining sound produced by vocal cord in throat (10:19). Animation explaining how voice/ sound carried through telephone via mouthpiece (11:07). Cross-hatch animated diagram of mechanics inside telephone mouthpiece: metal diaphragm, carbon grains, electrical flow through wires (11:20). Technicians work on the electromechanical telephone switches (looks like telephone exchange building at East 30th St., NYC) (13:30). Telephone lines suspended over small American town (13:35). Telephone cable (13:40). Microwave tower (part of AT&T microwave radio-relay skyway) (13:43). Cross-hatch animated diagram of mechanics inside telephone transmitter: diaphragm, permanent magnet, electromagnet, electric current (13:58). Edgar Bergen uses Bell CD500 rotary dial phone to talk to other character Mortimer Snerd, Mortimer uses what appears to be Leich Electric Co. Model 105-C hand crank wall telephone (early 20th century) (15:52). Tom meets Mortimer in display room of old telephones, emphasis change to sound of voice to Edgar Bergen who is still on the line (17:21). Changes to telephone transmitter and receiver since invention by Alexander Graham Bell: Bell’s second telephone transmitter (microphone) 1876 (18:06). Another early 20th century wall telephone (18:11). 1897 Candlestick telephone (18:25). Bell CD500 rotary dial phones in various pastel color ways (18:31). Disassembled Bell CD500 rotary dial phone, parts laid out on clear table (18:46). Tom with Mortimer closing scene (21:59). Closing credits play over close-up of telephone mouthpiece (23:54).
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