Moving Picture Age (Jan-Dec 1921)

10 MOVING PICTURE AGE February, 1921 I am not prepared to express a judgment on them for I have never reviewed any of them. So far as I know, this is the only attempt that has been made to present such material. The church school must present the moral virtues in a variety of ways. Many one and two reel stories can be found which serve this purpose admirably. Moving Picture Age has published a booklet entitled "1001 Films" which describes many pictures that are of great value. This booklet should be in the hands of every church exhibitor for it is a mine of useful information. The National Board of Review (70 Fifth avenue, New York City) publishes several pamphlets listing film for various purposes. Their advice is dependable. Such subjects as truth-telling, honor, integrity, bravery, loyalty, chivalry, etc., can be effectively presented. The editor of Moving Picture Age will be glad to give suggestions on specific subjects upon request. Why Pictures Help Teach Bible Stories The stories of Bible heroes and incidents are being produced in larger quantity than in former years. The Interchurch Film Corporation (Flatiron Bldg., Nev? York City) is producing some material in this field but has not yet reached the point of quantity production. "The Good Samaritan" and "The Blind Bartimaeus" are especially well done. In time they may be expected to give fine assistance. Atlas Educational Film Company (Chicago) has a fine picture of "Esther" besides several other biblical stories. Vitagraph (469 Fifth avenue, New York City) has a fine picture of the life of Christ called "From the Manger to the Cross" in seven reels. The lists of film already mentioned provide many other suggestions. Much of the biblical material is only partially understood because of the ignorance concerning the social conditions under which it was written. Many films are now obtainable which faithfully depict oriental life in such a way as to make the Bible times relive before our eyes. The habits and customs of the Orient have changed so little during the last 2000 years that modern pictures serve almost perfectly. There is as much of this material available as any school would want. Almost any of the larger exchanges can furnish it. No small part of the instruction of the church school has to do with the missionary interests of the church. The Foreign Mission Boards of almost all the denominations have films showing the work of the mission stations or they know where such films can be obtained. The Methodist Centenary Commission (111 Fifth avenue, New York City) has an important department given over to the matter of stereopticon slides and films which is able to give much valuable advice. Most film of this character is to be had free of rental charges. Travelogs similar to the Burton Holmes (Famous Players) pictures are to be had from most exchanges. These will be valuable in showing the social and geographical conditions under which the missionaries work. Using Films to Teach Church History There is a limited amount of material dealing with historical themes relating to church history. The Methodist Book Concern (Cincinnati) has just issued a multiple reel feature which shows the development of this great publishing house which is now the largest publishing concern in the world. This picture is, in fact, a history of American Methodism. Some small amount of material can also be secured through the Methodist Centenary. Congregationalists are so intimately associated with Pilgrim history and New England that much of that material can be adapted. Some few reels telling the story of such leaders as Luther, Knox, and others, can be found. Church mission or educational boards can usually give information as to where to obtain such film. In those instances in which the church school has a general assembly at the close of the study period, it seems to be the wisest plan to use the pictures at that time for more people are reached with less difficulty. Not more than one reel should be shown each week. This material should be chosen with a careful regard for sequence of thought and cumulative effect. Thus, it might be advisable to show a series of reels during a period of six weeks showing the life in the Bible lands with scenes from Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Arabia, and other countries. A series of reels showing missionary activity could become very interesting if the material were to be arranged as a "Trip Around the World." A series of pictures of "Old Testament Heroes" could be arranged. An abundance of material for "Americanization" work is available where a school wishes to present such a subject. For those schools which hold separate departmental sessions the problem is not so simple. Perhaps time can be taken at the early part of the hour for one department and at the later portion of the hour for the second department. This would require that the church should be equipped with a rewinding device. A few churches will assemble an entire department in the room equipped with the projection apparatus and use the entire study period for missionary instruction, perhaps once per month. In such cases more than one reel can be used. One church is planning a mission hall, to seat about 75, in which will be shown a reel of pictures in addition to missionary slides each Sunday. Groups from the various departments will be brought to the hall at regular intervals for this study. The "lecture" and program will be under the direct supervision of an expert who does nothing else but prepare these missionary lessons. By the plan of rotation each pupil in the school will be present in the hall about once per month. Uses of Film Other Than in Sunday School But the educational opportunities are by no means limited to the sessions of the church school. St. Paul Methodist Church, Chicago, formerly held a meeting called "boys' Assembly" on Saturday mornings. Various types of work were presented, mostly nature study, music, scoutcraft, and similar subjects. Pictures were very successfully used in these sessions showing boys' work, scoutcraft, and American history. The various railroads furnished some beautiful film showing the scenic glories of America. Boy Scout troops which hold regular meetings are greatly interested in just such film as I have mentioned. Simpson Methodist Church, Minneapolis, has a group of boys known as "The Boys' Council" which represents every class of boys in the school. This council organizes a "bean feed" for the boys of the church at certain intervals and presents a program of interest to boys especially at such times. These pictures are usually industrial, nature study or historical. The comedies that appeal to boys are of the "slap-stick" variety and workers who are interested in studying the matter will find considerable help in the list of "Films That Boys Like Best" which is published by the National Board of Review. A "Girls' Council" is also organized for our girls' work and similar functions are promoted through this group. Films for these gatherings of boys and girls can be obtained through the Y. M. C. A., the Y. W. C. A., the Boy Scouts, the Red Cross, the U. S. Navy, and many other public organizations. Some of the material furnished by the Industrial Department of the Y. W. C. A. (New York City) is unusually good for girls' work. (Turn to page 24)