“Music In Motion” is a 50s-era, color Bell Telephone System promotional film about how the scientists and engineers in the Bell Telephone Laboratories study sound in order to improve telephone and radio services. Hosted by Tom Shirley, who was known for his work as host of the Bell Telephone Hour Radio Program, this film follows along as Bell engineers visit the Bell Telephone Hour orchestra, conductor Donald Voorhees, and visiting musician Zino Francescatti to collect sound samples. Throughout the film, the music is accompanied by flame-like images which are actual pictures of sound. The film then goes on to take viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bell Telephone Laboratories, where scientists work to make Bell Telephones the best they can be.

The Bell Telephone Hour were weekly 30-minute NBC radio broadcasts, featuring classical and light classical music, which began on Apr. 29, 1940 and continued until 1958. In September 1959, the Bell Telephone Hour made its television debut as a monthly musical special. It remained a regular television program until April 26, 1968 (Source: New York Public Library Archives).

Film opens, music begins, title page, credits, introduction of film’s contents (0:08). Violin comes into frame, blue flames emerge from bottom of screen (0:49). Close-up bell of trumpet, flames appear and match sound (1:01). Close-up pianist hands, red flames denote sound (1:11). Host Tom Shirley introduces film, green flames appear to offer visual of sound of voice (1:23). Bell Telephone System researcher in lab calls Tom Shirley to ask if they can study sounds of the Bell Telephone Hour orchestra (2:13). Return to Tom Shirley in study, continues introduction (3:02). “Waltz of the Flowers” by Tchaikovsky plays, multicolored flames offer visual of sound; Close-up call sheet for The Telephone Hour rehearsal (3:17). Orchestra plays “Waltz of the Flowers,” camera pans orchestra in order of instruments as they feature in song: Harp, cellos, French horns, clarinets, flutes, violins; Bell researchers stand in sound booth and records song (3:33). Isolated sound recordings: Male cellist remains in room while rest of orchestra out on break, begins playing for recording; Close-up of two-tape recorder spinning in sound booth as it collects sound sample (6:58). Isolated sound recording of flute, male flutist plays in room as two-tape recorder records sound (7:32). Isolated sound recording of harp, female harpist sits in room and plays, researchers satisfied with data collected (8:08). Orchestra conductor, Donald Voorhees, talks to famous French violinist, Zino Francescatti who is guest artist on Telephone Hour (8:39). Close-up sheet music, “Irish Tune from County Derry” (Londonderry Air Irish Folk Tune); Conductor leads orchestra as they begin to play, camera closes in on Francescatti (8:52-12:15). Researcher returns to Bell Telephone Laboratories, two scientists in lab translate into visible patterns music samples recorded at the telephone hour rehearsal (12:30). Close-up side-by-side graph, data collected for cello vs. flute sound (13:06). Syllable Pictures chart mounted on wall, pictures of voice sounds (13:26). How Bell translates research to phone service: Close-up perhaps Bell Model 500 rotary telephone, woman in 1950s dress sits at entryway and calls friend (13:42). Interior Bell research lab, scientist conducts tests on transmitter and receiver of transmitter using small condenser microphone (14:02). Same microphone used at Western Electric plants, woman sits in front of monitor and tests transmitter, watches screen and follows moving dot on screen (15:11). Instrumentation laboratories, various equipment and machinery to test precision phones and transmitters (15:52). New refining technique of germanium which allowed Bell to invent the transistor, close-up of germanium spinning in glass vase, close-up of transistor on hand for scale (16:40). Testing of wires and cables, close-up interior of coaxial cable (17:14). Two scientists test radio relay technology in lab (17:55). Paper program for The Telephone Hour performance with Zino Francescatti featuring “Nutcracker Suite” by Tchaikovsky, “Concerto in E Minor” by Mendelssohn (18:18). Orchestra members, now in formal dress, perform finale piece with Francescatti (18:28). Tom Shirley closing words (20:28). Closing credits (20:50).

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