Moving Picture Age (Jan-Dec 1921)

10 MOVING PICTURE AGE January, 1921 Films also show methods of transportation, whether they are the very simple ones where burdens are carried by men and animals, or hauled by teams of various kinds in carts, wagons, or on trucks. All these, as seen in action in the moving picture reel, give an impression that can be obtained in no other way. The process of manufacture, with the more and more complicated machinery involved, and the steps from the primitive style in manufacture up to the latest word in any line, are all full of interesting, helpful suggestions. More and more it dawns upon the assembled people who witness such films that present-day conditions call for an adjustment in one's preparation for participation in life's activities ; and it also is made evident that in all of these actions or processes the human being is essential. He simply needs a different preparation to enter into the world's work. In the portrayals of the industrial films there are introduced, in a quiet and yet in an effective way, social problems involving the home, education, and the leisure time occupations of the people, their recreation, community betterment and personal advancement. Hence we believe that industrial films are an active stimulant to better living, better service, better citizenship. These lessons are acquired through seeing people in action. Meeting the results of their action emphasizes the advantage of employing approved methods. Attention is called to the greatly improved regulations in factories. Obedience to law for the good of all quietly comes to the fore as the devices for safety are shown in the factory, in the community, in the home. Economic loss due to carelessness is brought out, not in an obtrusive but in a quiet, effective way. The value of industrial films finds a rating not contemplated by the manufacturer in his original plan of putting his organization and its work on the screen. How I Obtain My Industrial Films Recent experience demonstrates that clearer impressions can be given, not only in elementary school courses but in technical, scientific and shop instruction, with the added advantage of shortening the time required and the lessening of class failures where suitable films are used as aids in the educational process. These are only a few of the very helpful, valuable things that I see in the industrial films. I will speak very briefly of the sources of such films. It is not necessary to say much to the experienced visual director, but to those endeavoring to get started I would suggest careful scanning of the excellent periodicals devoted to film service, where splendid lists of films available are published. Furthermore, the editorial mention of new industrial reels assists very much in putting the using public in touch with the procedure. To be very elementary and specific concerning the way some may get at sources of industrial film supply, I suggest that you write directly to the factories or manufacturing concerns to find what they have and on what terms you can get those films which they have produced. Ordinarily, your expense would be simply the express charges. Film exchanges can often give assistance from their lists of films, which are constantly increasing in size. There is much more to be said on these topics and no doubt others are ready to add a few suggestions to what I have written. The future will no doubt bring forth more details on the subjects upon which I have merely touched and upon pertinent subjects which have been omitted entirelv. Graphoscope Company Opens First Branch AT its headquarters, 50 East Forty-second street, New York City, The Graphoscope Company announces the opening of the first of its branches at Washington, D. C. Primarily this organization had in mind the serving of its many new patrons who have been won over to the use of motion pictures for non-theatrical purposes, for whom it has brought out late models of suitcase and stationery projectors. This new branch, located at 1004 I street, consists of an entire two story building. On the first floor are the sales offices, shipping room, store room, inspection room and film vault. The second floor contains the projection room, commodious and attractive, for demonstration purposes. This establishment will supply a complete film-service to non-theatrical institutions inclusive of projectors and pictures. It is acting as distributor for the films of large industrial enterprises and will also distribute films for certain national organizations for community work, etc., such as the American Red Cross. How Long Does a Picture Live? INTERESTING figures on the life of motion pictures, and an indication of their popularity, are given by Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., which releases no subjects longer than two reels. According to this statement the average life from city to small town showing of the "feature," or the five or six reel picture, is one year. However, when two reel comedies are concerned the booking time becomes almost twice as long. This is explained to a considerable extent by the fact that the two reel comedy producer rarely bases his picture on some so called timely event that loses its carrying power as the news incident is lost. But the single reel picture, especially the scenic educational and special subject, far distances all other productions, Educational reporting that there are now in its library many of these subjects which were first shown five years ago and which still maintain their standard of demand. In this connection it is pointed out that in the past two months the leading Broadway theaters have almost every week shown some single reel subject ranging in age from two to five years because they believed that the audience appeal of the offering was still strong. How striking such pictures are with audiences is evidenced by the comment of one New York paper which hails a subject four years old as, "At last a novelty in motion pictures." Friday and Saturday Children's Programs AN organization operating under the name of the "Children's Matinee Association, Inc.", in New York City, has for its object the selection and presentation of suitable film programs on Friday and Saturday afternoons for school children especially. The association is working in harmony with most of. the accredited better film organizations and hopes eventually to make these matinees self-supporting. The usual method of presenting moving picture programs to the children is to rent the necessary theaters when possible. When theaters are not obtainable, halls and school auditoriums are used, though the former are preferred since, as the prospectus of the association reads, they "do not want to hurt the business interests." Programs will be arranged, in the near future, so that they will fall into two classes, junior and senior. In this way the association plans to be able to entertain the children in the afternoon and their elders in the evening'. The American consul in Chile reports that the South With the surplus of Junior Red Cross funds, Hart American movie theater is anxious to get more business ford, Mich., school authorities will purchase a motion and industrial pictures. picture machine for school instruction.