Current Flashes

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Current Flashes is a short film from 1938 released on 35mm. It is held in the Prelinger Archives collection.

Producer's synopsis: "A vivid explanation of how the generator and electrical system of the modern automobile work."

07:28:21:14 Great title sequence of lightning bolt letters flashing Current Flashes! over dark storms clouds.

07:28:28:20 VS dark storm clouds with superimposed flashes of lightning. Narration The awe inspiring beauty of lightening prompted the ancients to call it, the hammer of the gods.

07:28:52:25 Great shot of dark mad-science-like laboratory in Roberton, Ohio with huge bolts of electricity shooting off of giant lightning machine of up to 2 million volts; scientist slowly turns dials extinguishing bolts of electricity and simultaneously lighting room.

07:29:09:09 Scientists or technicians in working on lightning machine; lightning machine starting up with small sparks of electricity; VS man-made lightning bolts.

07:29:45:04 VS in electric power plant; large generators; men at work, one man reads and takes notes from one of dozens of large clock-like dials on wall. Audio track narration Electricity has been domesticated. Gradually its flashing strength has been brought under control and directed.

07:29:56:15 LS hydroelectric plant.

07:30:00:14 Camera looks down inside interior of hydroelectric plant. Large tanks. Narration of shot Electricity hums its song of obedient power in the service of civilization.

07:30:06:22 CU hand pulls down large lever.

07:30:28:20 CU clock reads 7:00.

07:30:30:10 CU light mounted on wall switched on by female hand.

07:30:33:07 Woman s hand plugs toaster on kitchen counter into wall.

07:30:36:02 Sequence of four CU shots with hands pulling four different levers.

07:30:41:06 Man welding, wearing protective mask and gloves.

07:30:46:13 Time Square, New York City 1930s: Visible Chevrolet and Coca-Cola signs.

07:30:54:12 Young woman washing clothes in apron; presses out clothes with electric rolling pin washer.

07:31:06:06 VS load dispatchers working in office; CU engineers hand on blueprint schematic of generators, transformers and main control switches.

07:31:28:06 CU Westinghouse meter monitoring megawatts from 0 to 300; arrow moves up on dial.

07:31:42:27 CU warning light bulb flashes above General Electric voltage meter.

07:31:46:14 CU lever thrown on switchboard.

07:31:48:19 VS engineers watching voltage meters on long bank of dozens of meters.

07:32:04:04 VS engineer monitoring giant machines in powerhouse.

07:32:35:16 VS trains speeds past camera; iris in CU VS train engine parts, engine belt, cylinders.

07:33:18:29 Great special effect of camera zooming in on 1930s automobile as automobile is dissembled to only running motor on chassis. VS CU engine parts.

07:33:35:27 CU bare mechanism of brake pedal exposed; foot pushes down on pedal.

07:33:56:17 VS circular water pump with winding handle connected to water wheel by two glass tubes. Arms winds water pump to cycle water through wheel demonstrating electrical current. Jug attached to top connecting glass tube; fills with water, functions as battery storing energy. Great looking experiment.

07:35:03:12 Animated drawings of automobile electronics and how they work with the car engine.

07:38:05:05 VS; camera in back seat inside car driving at night with headlights on; man in passenger seats reaches down; CU man grabs car s cigarette lighter; MS man lights cigar in car.

Current Flashes
Produced byHandy (Jam) Organization
Production
company
Handy (Jam) Organization
Distributed byHandy (Jam) Organization
Release date
1938
Running time
959 feet
LanguageEnglish
Thumbnail
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