Answer to Question #563 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I've been looking for a Public Broadcasting System special I saw about 10-15 years ago. I believe it was called The Radium Dial. It covered the story of young women working in watch and clock factories where they had to paint the numbers on clocks and how it caused cancer and death for many of the women. Is there any way to find this special today?

A

I am unaware of a Public Broadcasting System (PBS) program dealing with the radium dial painters. Nevertheless, it is exactly the sort of subject matter that PBS's Frontline series likes to cover. My guess is that you are thinking about the 1987 movie "Radium City." The latter dealt with the radium dial painters in Ottawa, Illinois, and it has been shown on television. You can read a review of the movie in Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide. "Radium City" appears to be "out of print" and does not seem to be readily available. To purchase a copy, your best bet might be to do an Internet search of video distributors that specialize in used and old videos. Even so, it still might be worthwhile to ask at your neighborhood video store. A quick search revealed that the Port Washington Public Library (on Long Island) has a copy. Perhaps your local library could arrange an inter-library loan. Paul Frame, CHP, Ph.D.