YESTERDAY'S NEWSREEL - ALBERT EINSTEIN ATOM RESEARCH, JOHNNY WEISSMULLER NEW YORK MARATHON

Television highlights of the news of yesteryear. A for atom, B for bomb. Flowering from smooth waters of the lagoon at Bikini, bursting with beautiful symmetry into Pacific skies, this is man's lofty monument to death and destruction. Fifth blast of the fantastic Jekyll and Hyde of science, the atom bomb. Famed Madame Curie of France opens the way with experiments and discoveries of the hidden mysteries and marvels of rare element called radium. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity is formula used in discovery of atomic energy. Dr. Albert Langmuir's work in chemistry of atom reveals to man structure of atomic world. And California's Dr. Millikan and work with cosmic ray adds more to man's knowledge of force in things too small to see. Uranium is source of this power and search for rare element is on. Men work quietly and secretly. Perhaps only small handful knowing full fierceness of Frankenstein looming in the future. Then at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, mysterious work of Manhattan Project creeps tediously through months and months of research and experiment, trial and error, world's most guarded secret. There are not even whispers of wonders of this strange new realm of cyclotrons, neutrons, and electrons. Smashed atoms hidden secret invisible energy unlocked by synthetic lightning. But suddenly desert sands near Alamogordo, New Mexico disappear beneath castles of clouds rising from this first atomic blast. And far away in warring Japan, this is busy metropolis the Japanese call Hiroshima. Before the blast. And after. Then July 25th, 1946, lagoon of Bikini Atoll, ships of bomb-blasted Japan lie at last anchor beside outmoded vessels of victorious America and defeated Germany with landing ship 60 at core of coming catastrophe. Fifth atom bomb lies immobile in still waters till the silent signal and then this. Gigantic naval vessels bob like tiny bottles on blasted and boiling seas. Mile-high cloud of deadly radioactive mist rolls over the target fleet, a tidal wave of death beyond man's wildest, most fantastic dreams of annihilation. This is atomic energy's potent power of doom. But first atoms have healing power, too. Among leaders of man's far-reaching plans to turn atoms destructive force toward peace is David Lilienthal. Once rigged for death, tools of Oak Ridge are now equipment of gigantic atomic apothecary. In midst of death-dealing radioactivity, atomic power is being tested and harnessed to fight man's battle against sickness and disease. Humanity's most vicious weapon of war is being remolded as once again men return from war to beat their swords into plowshares. Power that stopped war between nations holds promise of better living for all men everywhere. In New York City is laid the cornerstone of hope for everlasting peace, the United Nations building, sky-scraping monument to man's desire to get along with man. And there is strong hope in the hearts of everyone that atomic power has blasted but one thing from the face of the earth. And that one thing is war. Little Prince Michael of Romania, just recently recovered from an extended and serious illness, leaves his Bucharest Palace May 10th, 1931. Little boy was twice his country's king, first crowned at age of six, then abdicating in favor of King Carol, only to regain throne upon Carol's abdication. Prince Nicholas, boy king's uncle, salutes his royal nephew as Michael, now a mere prince between stints as monarch, reviews his nation's troops. Though pale from his illness, little prince is obviously getting normal boyish pleasure from pomp and pageantry of celebration. Here's Marshall Field III, Chicago's department store tycoon and scion of family famed for philanthropies. Windy City's Field Museum is among family's greatest philanthropic gifts. Beautiful Ann Harding follows her house pet. It's baby lion, Mika's baby, too. When these films were made, Miss Harding was at height of career as screen actress, later was to turn to stage in even greater triumphs. On board ship, here's Sergei Rachmaninoff, Russian pianist composer, writer of exciting prelude in C sharp minor, which made him famous overnight. Once musical director at University of Nebraska, Rachmaninoff won worldwide fame not only as composer, but was one of leading concert pianists of his time. It's 15th of November, 1924, and in Jersey City, New Jersey, explosion in chemical plant results in this boiling cauldron of fire and smoke. Blast sends 3,000 people fleeing in panic from their homes. 100 families are suddenly homeless. 50 persons hurt, most of them firefighters and policemen. Cost of damage passes million-dollar mark as chemical plant and adjoining tenement buildings are destroyed by fire. Fume-laden smoke makes job of firemen even more hazardous than usual, and at height of operation Jersey, the walls come a tumbling down. The death of Literary Digest. It's September 1924, and R.J. Cuddihy, Literary Digest publisher, launching magazines poll of voters who will cast their ballots in 1928 presidential election between Calvin Coolidge, Republican, and Democratic nominee John W. Davis. Millions of postcard ballots go out to Americans of voting age. Was not a poll this year as accurate to within 2%. Again in 1928, with Republican Herbert Clark Hoover running against Al Smith, the happy warrior, Literary Digest poll is but small fraction off the actual vote. It's gigantic effort involving hundreds of Digest workers and thousands of working hours. With rapidity chief requirement, only the expert and experienced need apply. Latest calculating and sorting machines are used. So tremendous is this job of predicting how 40 to 60 million Americans will vote, not only for presidents, but special issues, too. Literary Digest sends and receives such great volume of mail that it has its own post office and staff and postal trucks. But then, things go wrong. Magazine polls voters as ballotting on 1932 Hoover-Roosevelt race. Certified results show that America still wants a Republican in the White House, predicts victory for Herbert Hoover. But when nation votes in November, Franklin Roosevelt wins, and Literary Digest closes and collapses, lock, stock, and poll. Wind and wings and Bay Shore Park, Maryland, October 1925. Wreckage of Navy planes litters waters, results of storm-like winds of day before. This doesn't delay race for Schneider Cup. But England's Captain Baird and his mystery plane have bad luck on test hop. It's no plane and no contest, Captain. He's on sidelines as race begins with ships taxiing into bay at 5-minute intervals. For seaplanes only, race is expected to create new world's record with some of aviation's best pilots at controls of ships. Here's America's Jimmy Doolittle shortening the distance between two points and risking dangerous blackouts to bank around turns of closed course. He's home in record time, too. Clocked at more than 232 mph. Winner and holder of another new world's record for flying, Jimmy Doolittle. Good grief, it's golf. And these golfing girls are dressed in height of 1920 fashion when style hit a new low. In close hat, white sweater, plaid skirt, and matching hat band, she's really sporty. And two-tone shoes are a must. And here's what the well-dressed golf professional wore to class back in 1920. Modified marathon. It's 1918 and in New York City, runners in foot race sponsored by Evening Mail are in early stages of trot from Bronx through streets and avenues of Manhattan to City Hall. This trio leads till near finish. Eventual winner pulls away. Strong second is rugged contestant Porres, but victory and cup goes to fleet-footed champion Willie Caronan. San Francisco splash. It's September 6th, 1927. Bad day for two world swimming records at Far Western Championship Meet. First record buster is backstroke expert George Kojac of New York Boys Club as he thrills excited crowd watching him dash to new record for his event. Time, 2 minutes 40 and 2/5 seconds. George Kojac, king of the backstroke artist. And following the New Yorker's lead, Johnny Weissmuller knifes through pool to set his startling record for 100 yd freestyle. Johnny Weissmuller, destined for motion picture fame.