10.4

**Dead medium: The General Electric Show 'N Tell**

From: barbix_AT_tiac.net (Eleanor J. Barnes)

Source: I own one.

GENERAL ELECTRIC SHOW 'N TELL (R) Phono-Viewer and Phonograph

A hybrid medium aimed at children was the GE Show 'N Tell, a device for simultaneously playing a phonograph record and displaying a synchronized filmstrip. The record was the size of a 45, but played at 33 1/3 rpm. The filmstrip, with about 12 frames on what appeared to be 16mm film, was housed in a rigid cardboard or plastic strip, with a tab at the top for easy removal from the player.

The display resembled a television screen, but was actually nothing more than a magnifier for a given frame of the filmstrip. The phonograph was on the top of the "TV" set. It could also be used to play 45-sized records (at either 33 1/3 or 45rpm) without viewing a filmstrip.

Each topic consisted of a folder containing a filmstrip and accompanying record. The "A" side of the record was to be played synchronized with the filmstrip. The "B" side was related audio (such as a song) on the same topic, but was not intended to be played with the filmstrip. A "light-saver" switch allowed the video display (i.e. the lightbulb) to be turned off while playing the "B" side, or any record not designed for filmstrip synchronization.

To play a record with filmstrip, one started by turning on the set, setting the turntable speed switch to "N", and rotating the turntable by hand until an indicator line appeared in a small window next to the turntable. Otherwise synchronization could be off. One then set the record "A" side up on the turntable, and set the tone arm by hand at the beginning of the record.

The slot for the filmstrip was in the top of the set, to the right of the turntable. One had to move the tone arm to gain access to the slot, one reason why you had to set the tone arm on the record before inserting the filmstrip. One slid the filmstrip into the slot as far as it would go, limited by the large tab at the top of the filmstrip; then adjusted so that the first frame of the film was properly centered on the screen. A lever in the side of the set adjusted the focus.

Moving the turntable speed switch to "33" started the record. Synchronization of the film to the audio was then automatic.

Well over 100 filmstrip/record sets were available for the GE Show 'N Tell. Categories included Disney characters, Fairy Tales, Children's Classics (Heidi, Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island, etc.), Christmas, Fun with Facts (Dinosaurs, Indians, Wright Bros., etc.), and Captain Kangaroo. Some titles that surprised me were "Hans Brinker and [sic] the Silver Skates" (properly "Hans Brinker, or, the Silver Skates"), "Huckleberry Finn," and, most surprising of all, "Jane Eyre." Needless to say, longer and more complex stories such as "Jane Eyre" suffered even greater oversimplification than "Children's Classics" such as "Treasure Island."

Eleanor J. Barnes (barbix_AT_tiac.net)