Vintage Phonograph History
Film Collection

Before there were CDs, there were records - lots and lots of records - 45s, 78s, etc. And record players that could play a single record or a stack of records, one at a time. The technology was primitive compared to today but to the millions of record lovers, this was the golden age of music.

This film collection explores key aspects in the development of record technology - including showing how record are made, how stereo sound was developed and even a film showing the birth of taped music with the development of a four track tape.

The film series concludes with a visit to the Worlitzer Juke Box factory where you will see how these coin operated phonograph players were manufactured.

Here are the contents of this collection:

Command Performance (1942)

Command Performance shows the procedures used to manufacture shellac records. It shows how the original masters plate is made and from that the mother plate and stampers. Then it shows how the records are then pressed from the stampers to produce the finished product. This film also has shots of the Victor Vault and the pressing plant at Camden.

Producer: Ganz (William J.) Co.
Audio/Visual: Sound, B&W
Run time: 18:58

How to Listen To... New Dimensions in Sound (1957)

This film presents the new RCA Victor Stereo phonograph records and players. It demonstrates the wonderful sound quality of stereophonic reproduction achieved by this new technology.

Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Audio/Visual: Sound, Color
Run time: 17:44

Living Stereo (1958)

This film shows the RCA Victors introduction of the Orthophonic, High Fidelity Victrola - the first stereo phonograph player. The film is hosted by Bob Banks, an RCA executive and explains the processes and technology behind this breakthrough technology release.

Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Audio/Visual: Sound, Color
Run time: 7:42

Miss Clark Introduces Panorama (1960s)

This film introduces the concept of synchronized film and phonograph as a teaching device.

Producer: Kerkow (Herbert) Inc.
Audio/Visual: Sound, Color
Run time: 10:44

A Revolutionary New Triumph in Tape (1958)

This film extolls on the virtues of four track tapes over two track tapes - allowing quality high-fi stereo sound. This technology was encased in a very large case (as it was during the days of reel to reel tape recorders) and lasted about eight years before getting replaced by much smaller and simpler technologies for cassette tapes.

Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Audio/Visual: Sound, Color
Run time: 7:02

A Visit to Wurlitzer (ca. 1950)

Take a trip to North Tonawanda, NY to visit the Wurlitzer factory. See how coin operated phonographs (Juke Boxes) were made. The film begins with a color sequence showing the factory and its surrounding area and then proceeds to a black and white presentation of the different phases taken to build a Wurilitzer Juke Box.

Audio/Visual: Producer: Wurlitzer (Rudolph) Company, The
Audio/Visual: Sound, B&W/Colors
Run time: 40:19