Electrical Telegraphy, Electric Bells and Telephones
"Animated lessons on telegraphs, bells, and phones."
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About this film
Yasuji Murata's 1931 classroom short explains how electrical telegraphy, electric bells, and telephones work, using animation and diagrams to walk students through circuits and signal transmission.
More about this film
About the production
Themes
Themes & topics
Historical background
Released in 1931 during the early sound era, Electrical Telegraphy, Electric Bells and Telephones reached audiences when exhibitors were still defining programming conventions. The narrative hook—Yasuji Murata's 1931 classroom short explains how electrical telegraphy…—reflects what contemporary producers thought would draw viewers.
Why this film matters
Electrical Telegraphy, Electric Bells and Telephones remains discussed by archivists tracing how screen stories of its period represented work, desire, conflict, and social order. Its central situation—Yasuji Murata's 1931 classroom short explains how electrical telegraphy…—still prompts questions about genre conventions and audience expectations.
What critics said
Trade and newspaper notices for Electrical Telegraphy, Electric Bells and Telephones generally emphasized casting, spectacle, and program fit rather than extended aesthetic argument. Retrospective screenings and archival notes continue to shape how viewers evaluate Electrical Telegraphy, Electric Bells and Telephones today.
Did you know?
- Directed by Yasuji Murata (1931)
- Educational short on telegraphy, bells, and telephones
- Produced at Yokohama Cinema Shokai
Where to watch
- Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yasuji%20Murata-%20Electrical%20Telegraphy%2C%20Electric%20Bells%20and%20Telephones%20(1931).ogv