This publicity film from 1960 is a collection of 11 short promotional newsreels made by the Monsanto Chemical Company. This “year in review” type film was probably shown to employees. It contains footage of Monsanto plants across the country, the company’s international expansion, and the pastimes of employees.

Opening (0:10). “New President And Chairman For Monsanto:” Auditorium filled with Monsanto share owners at company’s 58th annual meeting (0:48). Chairman Edgar Monsanto Queeny takes to stage, addresses audience, introduces President Charles Sommer (1:03). “Monsanto Sponsors Van Cliburn Concert:” Exterior Keel Auditorium, St. Louis (2:55). Conductor directs world famous pianist Van Cliburn and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in show for employees (2:59). Van Cliburn finale performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto Number Three (3:16). “Chemstrand Becomes Monsanto Subsidiary:” Monsanto and American Viscose Corporation reach deal, Chemstrand acrilan plant Decatur, Alabama (3:40). Production of acrilan acrylic fiber (3:55). Chemstrand nylon plant Pensacola, Florida (4:15). Women working along assembly line at Chemstrand nylon spinning plant Greenwood, South Carolina (4:22). Labs of Chemstrand Research Center Inc. Durham, North Carolina (4:44). “Overseas Expansions:” Monsanto Argentina – polystyrene plant Zarita, Argentina; visitors arrive for dedication ceremony and walk among plant; Governor Oscar Alende greets VP of Oversees Division Marshall Young and Monsanto VP Felix Williams (5:04). Monsanto Andes Mendoza, Argentina – plant to produce vinyl chloride monomer and polyvinyl chloride resin (5:54). Monsanto Australia – construction of 135 ft styrene monomer tower near Sydney in collaboration with Australian Petrochemicals Limited (6:05). “Sommer Visits Plants in Louisiana and Tennessee:” Grounds of Monsanto Barton Plant Luling, Louisiana; Monsanto President Sommer, VP Tom K. Smith tour facility and look at new digital computer monitors, automatic typewriters; roaring compressors of plant (6:45). Sommer tours grounds Monsanto Phosphorus Plant Columbia, Tennessee with VP Edward J. Buck (7:49). “Vinyl Rope Is Tested For Safer Road Block:” highway police test rope on airstrip near St. Louis with developer Harvey Gray; Gray drives 1954 Buick Oldsmobile to demo rope (8:23). “New Plant Sites:” Truman M. Martin, Alan H. Temple, Dylan Anderson, and other Monsanto board members inspect Chocolate Bayou property in Texas (9:47). Ground breaking ceremony for new plant site in Gloucester County, New Jersey; GM Robert M. Morris operates Caterpillar DW21 (10:29). “Personalities In The News:” VP for marketing John Gillis addresses Monsanto New York Group on marketing efforts (11:02). Krummrich Auditorium dedication ceremony by Board Chairman Thomas (12:00). Howard Nason presents safety award at Mound Laboratories Miamisburg, Ohio (12:48). Employee Tom Delaney elected to public office St. Clair County (13:20). VP Erwin G. Somogyi visits construction site new research center in St. Louis (13:59). “1961 Models Make Debut At Auto Show:” Automobile exhibition Cobo Hall Detroit, Michigan; thousands of visitors walk among displays of 1960s automobiles (14:30). “Monsanto Chemicals In Jets and Missiles:” Boeing 720 flies in sky; Plastic components of plane at Boeing Plant Seattle, Washington (15:37). Assembly of electronic black boxes at Vero Manufacturing Plant Dallas, Texas for United States Air Force B-52 Bombers (16:32). USAF B-52 on tarmac (17:02). Nuclear sub USS George Washington (SSBN-598) glides through open waters, men practice firing Polaris Missile from laboratory aboard ship; Polaris Missile launches out of water (17:18). “Employees In Action:” young female employees of Luling Plant fish off chartered boat (18:20). Plant employees sit together at New England Clambake-style outdoor picnic (19:32). Carondelet Plant employees board bus to steak dinner, awards ceremony, baseball game St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Braves (20:19). Monsanto Texas secretary puts on safety equipment, prepares for jump with local parachutist club; footage of young woman as she jumps from small plane and deploys parachute, (21:45). Monsanto St. Louis employees enjoy water skiing, other water activities along Old Man River; young woman rides on shoulders of young man as he waterskis. Women in bathing suits look on from the shore (22:56). The end (24:34).

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