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Audio ProductionsSteel: A Symphony of Industry (1936)

Dramatic presentation of steel production.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Audio Productions
Sponsor: American Iron and Steel Institute
Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W
Keywords: Metals: Steel; Labor: 1930s

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Spuzz - - June 21, 2005
Subject: No Chance for injury on THIS job!!
Simply amazing portrait on how steel is made.
After a great Russian-style-montage type beginning, (I honestly hoped that there was going to be no narration) the narration starts, and takes us step by step, to how steel is made. Although this subject has been done before to death by Jam Handy, I am quite surprised to say that this film is the best of the lot I've seen so far. Great shots of molten steel, and it's many processes. There is a curious focus on the safety of the men in this plant, which leads me to believe that this film was made for anti-union purposes. Hmmmm... That leads me to the best shot, and an Amelie moment for sure: Some guy is working very close to the hot steel conocation.. "But there's no chance of injury on this job, he's got an abestos suit and mask!" This is a MUST see on this site!

Reviewer: Chipmaster - - November 26, 2004
Subject: How Steel is Made
Factual short on how steel is made, all the way from iron ore to a variety of finished products.

Good footage of steel making operations. The narration is typical bombastic 30's, glossing over the safety hazards of mill operations in that era. But the film is quite instructive about the essential phases of steel production, a process that is probably a complete mystery to most modern consumers of steel products. Especially since so many steel mills have disappeared from the American landscape.

The three major steel making processes of the time are depicted: Bessemer converter, electric furnace, and open hearth.

A must for anyone studying engineering or the metal trades.

Shotlist

An impression of a basic industry.
Ken Smith remarks: This informative film takes us on a tour of the hellish interior of a steel mill to show us the "thrilling spectacle" of steel production. Lots of sparks fly as we're shown the "vast" mill where "mountains" of raw material are turned into steel at a "magnitude" that is almost impossible to comprehend. "Look at that polish!" the narrator cries as a sheet of stainless rolls off the line. "Perhaps destined for some swanky cocktail bar!" Not as well-produced as a Jam Handy film, but fun to watch and chock full of blatant corporate misinformation. "Hazardous? Frightful danger on this job? Not at all!!!"

safety menace jeopardy industrial films