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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website Intended to be shown to Sinclair Oil Co. service station managers this 1950s film, “Why Do They Chose A Station The First Time?“ showcases the company's policies and practices for keeping customers and generating business. Sinclair Oil Corporation was one of the major integrated petroleum companies of the early mid-20th century. It was founded by Harry F. Sinclair, an American oilman who was born in 1876. This film was directed by Louis J. Marlowe and shot in Illinois. Why do they choose a station: the first time? Why do 66% Keep Coming Back? Become Loyal Customers of our dealer? The film starts with street signs for Maple and Pleasant St at 0:36. A slide appears that says “Our Town” at 0:45, and the narrator explains why a person would choose a gas station near their home. The film shows a man, Mr. Adams, leaving for work in his 1955 Chevy Bel Air at 1:29 and looks at his Hamilton wristwatch at 1:33. The film shows a closed gas station near his home at 1:58. The film then shows Mr. Adams pulling into a gas station a long way from his home, but which was still on his way to work at 2:53. The film’s first section on Brand begins at 3:12. The narrator asks what makes drivers prefer one gas station over another 3:23. Close up on a car radio 3:28, television set knob adjusted, 3:25. An advertisement for Sinclar’s Power-X Gasoline is heard on screen at 3:34. The narrator explains that one of the best forms of advertising is by word of mouth, and then shows two men talking about Sinclair’s gas by the company coffee vending machine at 4:20. A billboard for Sinclair is shown at 4:41. The next section of the film is about community, it begins at 4:55. The narrator says one of the biggest reasons why a driver might choose a station is the dealer’s influence within their community, which is shown at 5:20. The dealer Jones is shown giving a can of house oil to someone in his community for free at 6:10. He also gives away matchbooks 6:28. The film shows all the different ways that Dealer Jones gets his good reputation at 6:36. The film then shows another dealer at a barber’s shop, talking to the barber about the station, this is shown at 7:15. A girlie calendar is also one of the station's giveaways. The narrator explains that picture advertisements are a great way to advertise at 8:07. The film shows a Mr. Smith, who runs the Sinclair Gas Station for a community, helping children with their bikes. The film then shows one of the kids telling her father about Mr. Smith at 9:13. A new section on Station Appearance starts at 9:39. The film shows a driver passing a gas station because it did not look good to him at 10:00. The narrator then starts to list the reasons why a customer might choose one station over another at 10:49. The narrator also says the strongest attraction is the dealer and their station at 11:43. End of the first part at 11:58. Part two begins at 12:08. Part two begins by showing Henry, driving a 1950s Buick convertible, stopping at the same station at 12:32. The narrator explains that the main reason why customers come back is because they like the service at 12:46. The film showed the service-men at the station fixing the customer’s car at 13:30. Section titled “They become loyal customers because they like the dealer” at 14:34. The narrator explains the reason that the family chose that same gas station is because of the dealer at 15:18. The film shows the dealer treating his customers extremely well at 16:19. The next section: “They become loyal customers because of clean stations” begins at 17:11, with a Sinclair jeep pulling up to the station. The film shows an earlier customer that went back to the same station because she likes how clean it is at 17:33. Odometer moves at 19:37. Narrator says women especially notice details like cleanliness, this might be triggering to some at 17:46. The film shows the inside of the station at 18:06. The next section: “they become loyal customers because of one-stop service” begins at 18:38. The film shows people explaining one-stop service at 18:47. The concluding narration begins at 20:11. The film ends at 21:15 Produced for the Sinclair Refining Company by Atlas Film Corporation. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
