Romance of Radium (1937)

Pete Smith: Narrator

Quotes 

• Narrator : An oriental nobleman, historians tell us, was among the many who came to see the scientific oddity. From the beaker on the table, there came a cold white light that grew brighter and brighter. Suddenly, fearing an evil spirit lived in the glass, the oriental became panic stricken.

• Narrator : Curie's fears for his friend's life were shared by the physicians who were unable to help Becquerel. Then, one day, the Curies witnessed a miracle. The patient suddenly began to get well! Soon they were to learn that while radium was dangerously destructive, it also had great curative power.

• Narrator : Following several years of arduous labor, the first American radium was achieved. The success of five scientists, however, turned to tragedy. Inhaling radium particles cost four of them their lives.

• Narrator : And so, to hospitals everywhere, comes this rare, wonder chemical to help suffering mankind.

• Narrator : After 40 years of scientific effort and the labor of mining many hundred thousand tons of ore, a meager pound and three quarters of radium is the entire world supply today.

• Narrator : Highly beneficial, yet extremely dangerous, this Jekyll and Hyde mineral is cautiously guarded.

• Narrator : And so, out of the darkness of the past comes a white light of hope for today. Radium, the most precious substance in the world! Centuries from now it will still shine upon some future civilization, saving through the ages countless thousands of human lives.

• Narrator : Today, ore of the highest radium content comes from north of the Arctic Circle, where it is mined under great hardships.