From 1956 to 1964 Bell Telephone created nine televised specials; known as the Bell Science Series, for AT&T Corp originally broadcasted in color. This film titled “The Unchained Goddess” was the fourth and final film of the series produced by Frank Capra. Capra’s team employed animation and scientific explanation in order to provide an in depth look on how weather forms. The film’s narrative is built around a conversation between meteorologists preparing a weather program and deities of weather. The film is a unique blend of myth, humor and tension between scientific understanding as well as legendary influence on weather, and dates from an era when it was widely believed that man would be able to influence or even control weather on a global scale. Various aspects of weather are explored including the cause of wind, the Coriolis Effect, creation of thunder and lightning as well as early concerns over climate change. Concepts of weather forecasting are explored. The film visits the National Weather Analysis Center in order to explain the use of Isobaric charts in order to predict the weather.

The Bell logo opens the feature (:09) starring Richard Carlson and Dr. Frank C. Baxter (:31). Clouds pass over mountain ridges (:46). The cartoon goddess Meteora introduces the tale of a scientist and a writer working to rehearse a weather program (:46). The pair go over the script at the weather station (1:14). The “drop s” gadget is explained (2:04). Meteora introduces herself and various weather deities (3:26). Deities are questioned about the creation of wind (4:59). A diagram of the equator shows how wind operates (5:12) in cold and warm temperatures. The team introduces Professor Coriolis at a carnival (7:00). Earth is compared to a spinning carousel (9:23). Long range guns aim for the curvature of the earth (10:36); planes too must travel in a curved path. The reverse loop is discussed (11:30) as well as the general circulation of the earth’s atmosphere. Animation explains summer sea breezes versus cool temperatures on lands (13:43) and the reversal of the breeze after sun fall. Another animation explains the recipe for clouds; dust, water vapor and pollutants (15:06). Precipitation in warm and cold climates (18:10) as well as the growth of cumulous clouds (19:23) are depicted. A cumulonimbus cloud is broken down (20:04); positive and negative charges at the top and bottom respectively. Lightning strikes light up the cloud (20:46). Images retrieved from a camera developed especially to photograph lighting follow (21:14). The gods and scientists dispel theories over creation of wind (22:46); the writer and scientist further explain humans created gods as a method to understand the unknown. A forecast from the National Weather Bureau proves a storm couldn’t form (23:59). Clinics set up in Suitland, Maryland are toured (24:10). Teletype data is collected (24:52) and turned into reports (25:13). Coded messages are transcribed onto isobaric charts (25:19). Isobaric charts get a close shot (25:37). The Coriolis Effect is further explored (27:55) using a valley and mountain. The first part concludes (29:07).

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