The things you find on the internet. Rotary dial telephones were the latest thing in 1940 and this movie explained how to operate these new fangled thing. The technology actually went back to 1891. I confess that I share “Gramps” attitude, in the film, lately to the constant movement of technology. Of course “Gramps” during his life had seen the complete revolution in communications made by the phone and was probably a bit weary with the constant changes being wrought by technology throughout his life. Or he was simply a grouch. I find either of those suggestions can apply to myself increasingly!
Yes, one rotary phone with a party line was how I grew up. I hardly ever used it. It was located in the dining room. Everyone could hear. Conversations were short and civil for the most part. To communicate with someone you generally wrote a letter or visited them in person.
Things were better in the 40’s and 50’s in nearly every way. We could do well without much of modern technology, especially modern communication devices.