Historical Albion Michigan
By Frank Passic

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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.

1949 INDUSTRIAL FILM PREMIERED IN ALBION

Morning Star, June 23, 2019, pg. 8

In 1949, the national Malleable Founders’Society authorized the production of an industrial film entitled "This Moving World." This technicolor movie was produced by Roland Reed Productions of Hollywood, California. President of that Society at the time was Collins L. Carter, president and general manager of our local Albion Malleable Iron Company. The film was narrated by Edwin C. Hill, a noted commentator during that period.

The film "is a documentary story of the manufacture, processing, application and uses of malleable iron. Its purpose is to better acquaint customers, potential customers, employees and the general public with the methods of producing malleable iron, the advantages of using malleable iron, and its direct application to our American economy," stated the Malleable’s magazine, "The Circle-A-Tor," in October, 1949.

Several scenes in the film were photographed at the Albion Malleable Iron Company, including a shot of the plant facing N. Albion Street. One scene showed Finishing Department press operator George Miller pressing an automobile rear axle carrier. Another showed glowing castings on the hearth of one of the radiant tube hood-type ovens in the Annealing Department. Other scenes in the film were photographed at various malleable plants across the U.S.

The movie was first premiered to the public at the Bohm Theatre on Saturday, October 8, 1949, at 9, 10, and 11 a.m. Approximately 1250 persons, mostly Albion Malleable employees and their families, attended the showings. (Note: There had been previous press preview showings of the film earlier in the year.) Speeches were given prior to the showings by Lowell D. Ryan, managing director of the Society, Collins L. Carter of the Albion Malleable Iron Company, and Albion Mayor Norman H. Wiener.

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a photograph of the large crowd gathered in front of the Bohm Theatre in downtown Albion on August 8, 1949, awaiting to enter to see the film. The Bohm marquee states: "Albion Malleable Iron Co. Presents This Moving World." Notice the motorcycles parked on the right in front of the AAA office.

The questions for today are: What happened to this film? Are there any copies of it stored in some film archives someplace? Would it be possible for it to be retrieved, digitized and "shown again" at the Bohm Theatre? This would make an interesting project for someone to pursue.


August 8, 1949 Bohm Theatre: Albion Malleable Iron Co. Presents "This Moving World"

Next: Albion 100 Years Ago - JULY 1919

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