Filmo Topics (1942)

tutu 7 ii/7» av, -wat i FOR EXCELLENCE IN WAR PRODUCTION, RECENTLY RECEIVED RY RELL & HOWELL ON the morning of September?, 1942, an inconspicuous envelope arrived in the mail of J. H. McNabb, President of the Bell & Howell Company — an envelope containing official notification that the Bell & Howell Company had been awarded the Army-Navy "E" for excellence of production. It was a simple message — straightforward and sincere — but its simplicity obscured its significance. For this was a tribute not merely to a few months of pacesetting production. It was a tribute to a task which began more than thirty years ago when a small group of men set their minds and their hearts on a single objective— to build the world's finest motion picture equipment. Through the years, that objective remained unchanged. New men, skilled artisans, talented engineers, far-seeing administrative executives — joined hands with these determined pioneers. With each passing year, the Bell & Howell name appeared on improved products — cameras, projectors, studio equipment, all built for a lifetime of dependable service — fashioned by men with whom precision had become a creed. Thus when the call for action sounded, when our fighting men quickly proved to a startled enemy that culture does not mean cowardice, thousands of Bell & Howell craftsmen were ready. They moved now with quickened steps, and with new determination. Veteran craftsmen guided new and younger hands during the long hours between sundown and sunrise. A new impetus— defense of country — made possible accomplishments which would previously have seemed impossible. Production records melted away. Our military leaders have been quick to recognize that this war, unlike any war before it, is a war of scientists as well as soldiers. And in such a war, photographic equipment is indispensable. Our military men need cameras, and projectors, and sighting devices — dependable equipment that will perform without regard to desert sands, or wintry blasts, or withering sun — the kind of equipment that has borne the name of Bell & Howell for more than a quarter of a century — the kind of equipment that will continue to come from Bell & Howell until victory is won. Today a pennant flies above the Bell & Howell plant, the coveted "E" award for excellence in production — the award by which our Army and Navy jointly pay tribute to those who serve well beyond the line of duty, on the home front. It was offered as an award for achievement during the past few months — but accepted as a challenge and an inspiration to even greater accomplishment in the months to come. 1. "E" award pin being presented to Mr. Roy Richardson, President of B&H Pioneer Club, representing B&H employees who now proudly wear the emblem signifying their company's outstanding achievement in the war effort 2. Mr. Roy Richardson, Rear Admiral C. H. Woodward, Mr. J. H. McNabb, and Army officer holding Army-Navy "E" pennant which now flies above the Bell & Howell plant 3. Rear Admiral C. H. Woodward delivering speech of presentation of award: ". . . one picture is worth a thousand words ... a hundredfold true in a nation at war" 4. Mr. J. H. McNabb, president of Bell & Howell Company, accepting the award: "This award will . . . strengthen our resolve to achieve higher goals" 5. Members of American Legion Post No. 356 bear the colors, with eye-filling majorette leading procession 6. Thousands of B&H employees, sub-contractors, and friends gathered in front of Bell & Howell's new war production plant at Lincolnwood, Illinois, on Sunday afternoon, October 11, 1942, to witness the official presentation of the Army-Navy "E" award DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRf TART WASHINGTON Mr. J. H. McNabb, President Bell & Howell Company 1801-1815 Larchmont Avenue Chicago^ Illinois This is to inform you that the Army and Navy are conferring upon your organization the Army-Navy Production Award for high achievement in the production of war equipment. September 5, 1942 This award is your nation's tribute to the spirit of patriotism and production effort of your plant and your employees. The men and women of the Bell and Howell Company have every reason to be proud of their great work in backing up our soldiers on the fighting fronts. In conferring this award the Army and Navy will present a flag to be flown above your plant, and will give to every member of your organization a pin which they may wear as a symbol of their permanent contribution to human freedom. This symbol is accorded only to those plants which are exceeding ell production expectations in view of the facilities at their command. I have full confidence that your present high achievement is indicative of what you and your employees will do in the future. Sincerely yours, JftiUMjUi T0-*~^<i7vA Jil: ^ & Ho *Vjj it Co >/j» C/, "e., V.W feiz0 "°rker Se J?4a 25 y eaCh "8 In ""arc? ofti •olj oi "Hy 2££<*c£^<rn?tt.t embe the itatue rese, tbl time ^=eVA.^ Army-li In st^;?i"e the »ati "ent s to: and OUj. Part ?«Vl ibute eiy ett, _ con; ort Pio m A "ai-d you Pit end °e. .ana, »ei2 don"d„y°'^ f. «i °unc «I your f hl ern«en tJ*utL ?Pendec •later, inv of Our Our "ork, Pre,Vlted foi:nted c;r^ a«t. '•ra. zoning and to *Ul L°nert tin. thia " mi *a°ny good ^SSkj^Ur. Job.