THE STORY OF ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL

US, 1939, 98 minutes, Black and white.
Don Amerche, Loretta Young, Henry Fonda, Spring Byington, Charles Coburn, Harry Davenport, Gene Lockhart.
Directed by Irving Cummings.

An entertaining and interesting film rather than a study of the inventor. It was made at 20th Century Fox at a time when Warner Bros had the market on studies and biographies, especially those starring Paul Muni, for example Louis Pasteur, Emile Zola, Juarez.

Popular comedian and light actor Don Ameche is serious-minded as Bell and shows some of the difficulties of the genius inventor, his poverty and his attraction for Mabel Hubbard who influenced his work. Loretta Young is charming in this role. Henry Fonda offers solid support as Thomas Watson, Bell's assistant. The film illustrates Bell's understanding of elocution, the ear, the transmission of sound waves and the possibilities of transmitting sound waves through wires?, The invention of the telephone is a momentous occasion and is demonstrated humorously. The problems of patents and court cases are also shown. Not a great film but pleasant and interesting.

1. The appeal of film biographies of famous people? Their life, personality, achievement, difficulties?

2. The popularity in the thirties of biographical films? The stars? The 19th century atmosphere?

3. Bell's fame, achievement, impact on communications in the 20th century? The film as a tribute to him?

4. Don Ameche's style as Bell? His work with the deaf and his skill, knowledge of elocution and sound, concern? The scenes with George and his father? His scientific abilities? His application to his work? A strong character and a pleasant one yet able to cope with difficulties? The meeting with Mabel, her encouragement of his work? Accidental discoveries of the transmission of sound? His work with Watson and their hunger and tiredness? The support of the wealthy Mr Hubbard? Bell's tirelessness, joys of discovery?

5. Henry Fonda’s portrait of Watson, his help, his being a practical man, his humour, poverty and starvation, sharing Bell's achievement?

6. The atmosphere of Boston in the 19th century, 19th century experiments, patents, financial interests. companies, fears, court cases?

7. The character sketch of Mr Hubbard and his punctuality, eccentricity, hesitations about Bell, ruling of his house, his ultimate support of him? Mrs Hubbard and her genial support?

8. Mabel and her hitting Bell in the snow, her disability, her need to lip read, her shutting her eyes and not hearing? An attractive girl, her sisters? Her determination to marry? The carriage ride and her support of Bell, her advice to him, waiting, her decision to marry with the prospect of the trip to England? Her support of the court case with the letter and the interrogation?

9. The various demonstrations and tests? The final unveiling of the telephone - the musical arrangement, the humour of the landlady rousing on Bell? The demonstration for Queen Victoria?

10. The change of atmosphere with the court case, the impugning of Bell's honesty, the abuse? His presenting himself honestly? The statements of the lawyers? The lack of evidence. Mabel producing the letter, its being conclusive? The Western Union people coming to Bell and the amalgamation?

11. The joy of the birth of the child? Bell's future? How enjoyable a study of a personality, a man with opportunity, his need for support? A portrait of inventiveness, genius and the way inventions are discovered?