movies_creation

American Movie Archives (美國電影檔案)

Title
Big Bounce, The
Year
1960
Abstract
The story of the Echo communications satellite project, and how scientists learned to bounce a radio signal off a big balloon. Written by Robert Engel and Leo S. Rosencrans. Narrator: Larry Thor. Producer and Photographer: Jerry Fairbanks. Editor: Richard Fritch, ASC. Production Manager: John McKennon. Assistant Director: Robert Scrivner. Musical Direction: Edward Paul. Original Score: Gene Kauer. Sound: Lawrence Aicholtz. Lighting: Grant Spicer.
Notes
Produced: Fairbanks (Jerry) Productions
Sponsor: American Telephone and Telegraph Co. (AT&T), Bell Laboratories
Run Time: 14:23
Audio/Visual: Sd, C
Keyword
Communication: Telephone;Space: Satellites;Communication: Satellite;Space: Satellites;Communication: Satellite
Theme
The Big Bounce
Review
This film, made by Bell Labs, documents the first satellite telephone transmissions, using a satellite balloon named Echo. Considering how ubiquitous satellite communications are today, this is rather quaint to watch. It's pretty straightforward and well-made, with some mstable moments. President Eisenhower's recorded message, back with "America the Beautiful" is schmaltzy as all get-out. Overall the film is a mildly interesting bit of history.
(Reviewer: Christine Hennig)
Location
A/V room, 2/F