This 1957 color silent film depicts a brief sightseeing tour of several Hollywood, California radio stations and Beverly Hills mansions, as well as a pantomimed comedy short centered around an irresponsible disc jockey at fictional “KBUM” studios (TRT 13:32).

The exterior of KNX-CBS at 6121 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, a vertical sign, palm tree, and a brief glimpse of the Palladium next door. Late 1950s automobiles with pastel paint jobs drive by (0:12). A marquee above the entrance to CBS Columbia Square: “Delco Batteries,” presents “Lowel Thomas” and “Chrysler Plymouth Presents” an evening news broadcast. Pan to a poster advertising “The Mercury Showroom” with Bob Crane on KNX (0:29). Nearby, on Vine Street, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) Theater Building’s marquee advertises “Reed Browning, Beat the Record” and “News Around the Clock,” Next door, at 1533 Vine St, the Hollywood location of Sy Devore, known as a tailor to the stars (0:44). A notecard in a theater poster case: “Hank Weaver, 3-5pm Mon. thru Fri.” and a portrait of Hank Weaver (0:45). A sign for KHJ radio. Another radio station, KLAC “570 On Your Dial” (0:54). A man exits a glass door at 6363 Sunset Blvd. and looks both ways (1:07). Two young girls and a young boy compare autograph albums (1:16). The KLAC entrance. Another man exits. The girls run up to him with their autograph books. He signs autographs, then waves goodbye (1:22). A brick wall with a sign for KBUM. In a staged shot, another radio personality appears to exit a car and is immediately intercepted by the autograph-seeking young children. He pretends to autograph the young boy’s forehead (2:18). Inside the KBUM station as the clock approaches the 6 o’clock hour. The radio personality runs into frame, overshoots the broadcasting console, then takes his place as disc jockey, behind turntables and a microphone. He smiles as he dons headphones (2:52). A sleepy radio producer speaks into a telephone receiver from a radio booth and gives a cue (3:11). The DJ springs into action, blowing whistles and ringing a bell, shaking a noisemaker and beating a drum. He strikes a cymbal and winces, then sounds a small bell, rustles a wash bin full of junk, and adjusts headphones. He produces an LP record on the Atlantic label, makes an announcement, then appears to get something sticky on his finger. He cues the record, then listens on headphones. His face sours (3:27). A blonde woman telephone switchboard operator. The DJ passes by a window, then doubles back and waves. The operator seems unamused (4:50). In a breakroom lined with pegboard and 8×10 portraits, the DJ pours himself a cup of coffee, mugging all the while (5:02). After irritating the blonde woman again, he returns to the mic, removes the record, then places the headphones on his face improperly, then appears to make some goofy announcements (5:43). More harassment. The operator wipes her brow in apparent frustration. The producer is seen reading “TV Life” magazine. The DJ examines the magazine, then rushes away, again passing the operator (6:50). The DJ makes another announcement, then produces a slip of paper from up his sleeve. The sleepy producer buries his head in “TV Life,” which features a cover photo of Esther Williams “Big Splash on TV This Week” perhaps referring to her 1956 NBC “Aqua Spectacle,” now lost (7:27). The DJ continues reading, growing increasingly agitated. He catches himself and puts on another record, which surprises him. He takes a pill of some kind. Pleased, he takes another, chewing comically (8:07). More clowning for the operator (10:34). The unattended record skips a groove as the producer sleeps. The DJ reads the Hollywood Reporter: “Stalling Charged on B.O. Plan” (10:57). The DJ presses his nose on a glass window then returns to work. He is handed an envelope. A pink slip. “Fired? Me?” More pills (11:32). A street sign: “Beverly Hills City Limit.” A mansion from afar. A corridor of LA palm trees. Shots of several more probable “star homes.” Fade out (12:37).

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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