The Antidote
The Antidote
Interesting film noir cum industrial film about "telephone people and the people they serve." Emergency call is turned over to the switchboard supervisor. A little girl has swallowed acid, and there is desperate need to reach the chemical company to find out the antidote. Phones ring in empty rooms as the operator tries to reach the company. Mother is worried, doctor is concerned. Life and death situation. Clock ticks away. Nightwatchman with flashlight is finally reached, finds the right man and we have a happy ending. Dramatic music.
The Antidote
Shadowy TLS five Caucasain women working at a telephone switchboard, operators taking calls, supervisor Mary Cromwell walking slowly behind their backs; dolly in to Mary. MSs help light over switchboard flickering on, Mary walking over to operator. Low angle MCU operator explaining to Mary the emergency situation, a doctor trying to reach a chemist. MS Dr. Michael speaking into telephone, holding bottle. MS white woman cradling children's doll in doctor's office, walking over to sick children, nurse -- hackneyed drama. MCUs mother anguishing over daughter's ingestion of acid (poison), the doctor trying to reassure while still holding the line. CUs Mary & Michaels conversing, discussing the grave situation, expressions of sincere concern about them. L/a MCU operator telling Mary, "Must be a tough one." MS wall clock, time of 9:18. CU Mary punching in telephone number.
The Antidote
CUs Mary the switchboard supervisor, wearing headset, looking glassy-eyed as she has interior monologue. CU line being patched, number dialed. MS rotary telephone ringing in shadowy room, potted plant on screen right. CU General Electric wall clock, time of 9:25. CU sweaty sick girl, eyes closed, forehead being dabbed. MS overhead lights flickering, tilt down to man neamed Fred wearing fedora & overcoat standing at file cabinet in hallway. CU Mary looking nervous, apprehensive, almost bored. CU wall clock, time of 10:19. CUs Mary & Fred conversing, Mary occasionally smiling, looking happy. CU Mary dialing number. MSs rotary telephones ringing in darkened empty hallways. CU clockface, time of 10:41.
The Antidote
Excellent CU pocket watch in hand of man, tilt up to anguished, worried, nervous face of old Dr. Michaels, stethoscope around neck. CU creepy doll head being stroked by woman. CU sweaty face of sick girl in bed, eyes closed. CUs faces of extreme worry by Dr. Michaels & mother. CU rotary telephone ringing on desk, dolly out to MS empty room. Shadowy ECU eyes of Mary the siwtchboard supervisor. MS/CUs immigrant (phoney Italian accent) nightwatchman entering room, talking with Mary about situation, Mary watching the clock; ECU seconds hands passing 10; funny CU "Italian" nightwatchman saying with gusto, "A little girla? She's a sicka?" CU Mary smiling, thanking the man. CUs Mary patching line, dialing number.
The Antidote
CU General Electric wall clock, time of 11 o' clock, seconds hands passing 12. CUs Mary dialing, talking with Dr, Michaels. CU Mary rubbing hand across face. MS little sick girl coming around, mother & Dr. Michaels standing next to her bed. CUs Mary & Dr. Michaels talking, all smiles after happy resolution -- just hope the little girl stops taking acid. MSs help light over switchboard turning on, Mary going to answer it.