[1946 SOCONY-VACUUM OIL COMPANY EXECUTIVE HOME MOVIE]

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1946

Creator: Socony-Vacuum Oil Company

Description: This untitled, color, silent film is a compilation of raw footage and outtakes captured as part of a Socony-Vacuum Oil Company promotional film as well as home footage of travels and meetings by Socony-Vacuum executives in 1946. The film features snapshots of mid-20th-century corporate culture: an office party, lab experiments, and scenic locations such as Colorado's Pikes Peak and a "Dude Ranch" in the Rockies. Other notable moments include aerial footage of a Bell 47B-3 helicopter spraying pesticides and close-ups of the Erie Railroad Alco PA locomotive. In the immediate post-War period, Socony-Vacuum Oil Company was a major American corporation in the oil sector, transitioning from its wartime contributions to peacetime production. After World War II, Socony-Vacuum, like many companies, shifted from military to civilian production and in 1946, resumed full-scale civilian production with a focus on oil and gas products for the consumer market (i.e. motor oils, gasoline, and other petroleum products which are featured in this film). During this time, Socony-Vacuum was investing in research and development, focusing on improving refining processes and improving lubricants and engine oils. The company’s extensive research laboratories, known as Socony-Vacuum Research Laboratories, are featured in this film as well. Film opens; Group of men in white button-up shirts loiter outside red brick building (likely Socony-Vacuum General Laboratories Fairfield, New Jersey), 40s-era automobiles parked along road (i.e 1939 Chevrolet Master De Lux, 1940s Ford Super DeLuxe) (0:10). Tin and plastic canisters of Mobil products i.e. “Mobiltox” and ”Mobil Oil” (0:24). B&W footage of perhaps Office Party: Man hands out party snacks and provisions, colleagues dance with each other on make-shift dance floor, other colleagues pour wine at drinks table; Couples dance Swing-style with each other (0:46-2:21). Three businessmen greeted by boat captain on what appears to be Navy ship or oil tanker (2:22). Sign for Pikes Peak Summit in Colorado (2:44). Camera pans calm waters of lake (2:55). Oil executive climbs into Erie Railroad Alco PA Road #857 locomotive in suit (3:03). Green awning of establishment “The Flamingo” (3:14). “Dude Ranch” in Colorado Rockies, rancher rides ushers horse around ranch (3:22). Another view of Erie Railroad Alco PA Road #857 locomotive (3:42). Scientist in a Socony-Vacuum Research Lab prepares to carry out experiment in controlled chamber (3:29). Another close-up of Erie Railroad Alco PA Road #857 locomotive (3:42). Another scientist works with what appears to be a drill bit to drill hole in black metal box (3:51). Bell 47B-3 helicopter sprays pesticide over forested area (3:56). Montage shots brick exterior, street parking, and foliage of Socony-Vacuum General Laboratories (4:17-5:31). Entryway to Socony-Vacuum General Laboratories (5:37). Various takes of camera panning ivy-lined exterior of Socony-Vacuum General Laboratories, cars parked in front (Lincoln Continental, Chrysler Windsor De Luxe) (5:59-8:06). Three Socony-Vacuum employees stand together on street corner, bundled in winter clothing (8:09). Aerial view of Socony-Vacuum fuel distribution center, Mobil Oil iconic red/orange oil tanker trucks in depot (8:32). Afternoon light pours into company library, employees read books and magazines at various wood tables (8:38). Montage shots of scientists carrying out experiments in laboratory: One man uses tongs to transport ceramic glasses into enclosed scale; Another scientist studies matter inside an enclosed chamber (9:08). Different scientist measures various powder substances on scale (9:50). Boating excursion, view of small fishing boat passing by (10:29). Two men sit at back of boat in fly-fishing chairs (10:40). Film ends (10:50).

Complete Record: This untitled, color, silent film is a compilation of raw footage and outtakes captured as part of a Socony-Vacuum Oil Company promotional film as well as home footage of travels and meetings by Socony-Vacuum executives in 1946. The film features snapshots of mid-20th-century corporate culture: an office party, lab experiments, and scenic locations such as Colorado's Pikes Peak and a "Dude Ranch" in the Rockies. Other notable moments include aerial footage of a Bell 47B-3 helicopter spraying pesticides and close-ups of the Erie Railroad Alco PA locomotive. In the immediate post-War period, Socony-Vacuum Oil Company was a major American corporation in the oil sector, transitioning from its wartime contributions to peacetime production. After World War II, Socony-Vacuum, like many companies, shifted from military to civilian production and in 1946, resumed full-scale civilian production with a focus on oil and gas products for the consumer market (i.e. motor oils, gasoline, and other petroleum products which are featured in this film). During this time, Socony-Vacuum was investing in research and development, focusing on improving refining processes and improving lubricants and engine oils. The company’s extensive research laboratories, known as Socony-Vacuum Research Laboratories, are featured in this film as well. Film opens; Group of men in white button-up shirts loiter outside red brick building (likely Socony-Vacuum General Laboratories Fairfield, New Jersey), 40s-era automobiles parked along road (i.e 1939 Chevrolet Master De Lux, 1940s Ford Super DeLuxe) (0:10). Tin and plastic canisters of Mobil products i.e. “Mobiltox” and ”Mobil Oil” (0:24). B&W footage of perhaps Office Party: Man hands out party snacks and provisions, colleagues dance with each other on make-shift dance floor, other colleagues pour wine at drinks table; Couples dance Swing-style with each other (0:46-2:21). Three businessmen greeted by boat captain on what appears to be Navy ship or oil tanker (2:22). Sign for Pikes Peak Summit in Colorado (2:44). Camera pans calm waters of lake (2:55). Oil executive climbs into Erie Railroad Alco PA Road #857 locomotive in suit (3:03). Green awning of establishment “The Flamingo” (3:14). “Dude Ranch” in Colorado Rockies, rancher rides ushers horse around ranch (3:22). Another view of Erie Railroad Alco PA Road #857 locomotive (3:42). Scientist in a Socony-Vacuum Research Lab prepares to carry out experiment in controlled chamber (3:29). Another close-up of Erie Railroad Alco PA Road #857 locomotive (3:42). Another scientist works with what appears to be a drill bit to drill hole in black metal box (3:51). Bell 47B-3 helicopter sprays pesticide over forested area (3:56). Montage shots brick exterior, street parking, and foliage of Socony-Vacuum General Laboratories (4:17-5:31). Entryway to Socony-Vacuum General Laboratories (5:37). Various takes of camera panning ivy-lined exterior of Socony-Vacuum General Laboratories, cars parked in front (Lincoln Continental, Chrysler Windsor De Luxe) (5:59-8:06). Three Socony-Vacuum employees stand together on street corner, bundled in winter clothing (8:09). Aerial view of Socony-Vacuum fuel distribution center, Mobil Oil iconic red/orange oil tanker trucks in depot (8:32). Afternoon light pours into company library, employees read books and magazines at various wood tables (8:38). Montage shots of scientists carrying out experiments in laboratory: One man uses tongs to transport ceramic glasses into enclosed scale; Another scientist studies matter inside an enclosed chamber (9:08). Different scientist measures various powder substances on scale (9:50). Boating excursion, view of small fishing boat passing by (10:29). Two men sit at back of boat in fly-fishing chairs (10:40). Film ends (10:50).