Titles read: 'The Magic Box - A Pathetone Item in which we meet JACK HYLTON & His Band. Every day busy workers are transforming pieces of wood and metal into magic boxes (Radio-Gramophones). Here is a "plant" that grows them. The commentator is Rex Palmer, known to millions, as "Uncle Rex".

We see the entire process of building and assembling a radio gramophone in the HMV factory (London?) while Rex Palmer describes the process and the "ingenious machines" used to ensure perfection, we see grills being cut, cabinet assembly, components on the production line etc. Features both men and women workers. Palmer tells us that there are "over 1600 separate parts in the complete radio-gramophone".

We then "take a peep into the recording studio where Jack Hylton and his band are rehearsing". The band plays 'Choo Choo', a lively foxtrot, which features various instrumental solos, (American) train noises and a vocal by Pat O'Malley. During this number we see the recording process taking place, with shots of the master disc being cut. Jack Hylton stops the band and discusses the recording with a man called George who says the violins are a little bit weak.

We then continue with the radio gramophone assembly process, seeing girls working on the wiring, sets being tested and final assembly. "This completes the magic box". C/U of a record being placed on turntable "which takes us back to Jack Hylton and his merry men, recording for our benefit". (This is a really great number! Good example of British show band in action - SL)

This is duplicate of item in Pathetone PT 049 - check for best quality for your requirements. This print version contains a few shots that are quite dark, but this version is in synch (more than the neg, anyway!) - SL.