Film and Radio Guide (Oct 1945-Jun 1946)

May, 1946 29 FILM AND RADIO GUIDE An early scientist, pondering over the nature of electricity, is interrupted by a heckler: a scene in "ReddyMode Magic," Walter Lantz cartoon history of electricity, available in 16mnfi through the sponsorship of local power companies. Andy Panda, maestro of on extraordinary barnyard symphony orchestra, conducts a concert in the "Hollywood Washbowl": a scene in "The Poet and the Peasant," one of a series of Walter Lantz musical miniatures, available as yet only to theatres. 35mm, the film is non-commercial and suitable for use in churches, schools, and clubs, as well as theatres. The film introduces a new cartoon character, “Reddy Kilowatt.” Walter Tetley, the “LeRoy” of the Great Gildersleeve radio show, is Reddy’s voice. The picture outlines the history of electricity from the year 600 B.C., when Thales, the Greek philosopher, first discovered magnetism in a piece of amber. The spirit of electricity is personified by Reddy Kilowatt. The trials that he has endured up to the present time are portrayed. After Thales’ experiments, which he recorded but abandoned because of public ridicule, Reddy lies dormant for 2000 years until an English scientist, Dr. William Gilbert, revives Thales’ theory and proves that it is correct. From Gilbert, the cartoon follows Reddy’s career through the invention in 1660 of Otto Von Guericke’s friction machine, which produced sparks, to Stephen Grey’s experiments in 1729, which proved that some materials are conductors and some non-conductors of electricity. Next Reddy went to Leyden, Holland, in 1755 and let Professor Musschenbroek prove a further enlightening theory about his power by storing him up in what came to be known as “Leyden Jars.” Reddy’s big chance came in 1752 when Benjamin Franklin, with his well-known kite-andkey experiment, announced that electricity and lightning were one and the same. On that day Reddy shook hands with Franklin and made an announcement himself: “Now I’m getting some place !” Following Franklin were Michael Faraday, who in 1831 produced continuous electric currents, Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone in 1876, and Edison’s incandescent light bulb in 1879. Reddy really went into action when Edison started the first power plant, and electric power was given to the world. In addition to presenting sidelights of the epic of electricity, the film illustrates the modern system of distribution from generating station through transmission lines to sub-station, and into the “Reddybox” where the user can always plug in and find Reddy ready. The film concludes with a brief description of Reddy’s many services in the home. ★ ★ ★ EASTIN WEST Eastin Reopens Western Headquarters Eastin Pictures, Inc., has reopened its office at Colorado Springs, Col., under the management of Major Robert K. Hieronymus, and is now ready to serve old and new customers in fifteen Western states, including the Rocky Mountain region, the Pacific Coast area and Texas. The Eastin concern, which has its main office in Davenport, Iowa, carries on a nation-wide business in the rental and sale of 16mm sound films for educational and recreational purposes. The reopened branch at Colorado Springs is located on the fourth floor of the Colorado Savings Bank building at the corner of South Tejon Street and Colorado Avenue. Here the company will maintain a stock of 16mm sound propectors and a large library of feature pictures and short subjects, ready for quick delivery anywhere in the West. (Continued on Page 34)