We may be able to pre-emptively solve those pesky phone mistakes in movies.
If we can get the attention of the major movie studios and directors, we could volunteer advice for getting it right. This may entail signing NDAs (nondisclosure agreements) since they would be sharing confidential information ahead of the release of the films.
---
A request might look like this:
Time: 1950s.
Place: rural USA.
Action: Character is on a phone call, gets cut off, tries to reach Operator.
Time limit on action: 4 seconds.
Our reply might look like this:
Appropriate phone:
WE 302 or AE 41. If film has a "city" setting as well as a rural setting, use WE 302 or 500 with black metal fingerwheel for "city," and AE 41 for "rural" to enhance distinction between settings.
Action:
If on manual exchange were all calls are handled by operators, character presses switch hook twice in one second, pauses for one second, then says "operator?"
If on dial exchange, character presses switch hook for 1/2 second, then waits 1/2 second and dials 0, then waits one second and says "operator?"
Note, to place long distance calls in that era, dialing 311 instead of Operator will add realism and is faster.
---
We might also be able to provide appropriate sound effects particularly ringing, though dial tones, busy tones, and ringback tones may also be needed in some cases.
For this to work, rapid turnaround is essential since films are produced on tight schedules.
