Moving Picture Age (Jan-Dec 1922)

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IN THIS FAIR LAND that we like to call free has arisen a situation that mocks our sincere belief in American freedom. Not that the oppression functions from without; this nation will be noticeably undisturbed by external interference for a few years at least. But within our borders is occurring the incipient development of a class of merchants that say, "We will not permit the product we deal in to be used for the best interests of the school, the church, or the entire community." Several weeks we received an appeal from Cincinnati for assistance. At the demand of the manager of a Cincinnati motion-picture theatre the exhibitors' association ruled that no dramatic films whatsoever — not even those that the theatres had run or Would not consent to run — should be rented to non-theatrical organizations such as schools, churches, municipal institutions, community centers, and similar establishments. Some of the exhibitors do not agree with this policy, but their opposition, if it was voiced at all, has counted for nothing ; while the protests of non-theatrical exchanges and of concerns maintaining non-theatrical departments have melted before the exhibitors' threat of boycott for the transgressor of the autocratic edict. The present status quo is that a committee representative of Cincinnati's citizenry is being chosen to present its grievances before the exhibitors' association. We have sufficient faith in the acumen of Cincinnati's theatrical film exhibitors to believe that the strong presentation of the non-theatrical exhibitors' case will result in a prompt and amicable adjustment to the satisfaction of both parties. If the exhibitors' association is so lacking in business judgment as to reject the reasonable demands of the constituted educational, religious, and civic agents of Cincinnati's population— well, suffice it now to say that the exhibitors will do wisely to rescind that recent motion ! Again, consider the article by Mr. Teall in this issue : another instance of an exhibitor who, in his august might, rule that "a high school had no right to the use of any film that told a story" ! We trust the bourgeoisie doffed its headpieces and intoned a lusty "God save the king !" as the herald read from his script the royal decree. Some readers will regret that Mr. Teall's frank discussion has been published, because of its possible effect upon the man just entering the field of visual instruction. But we know that the wideawake, serious-minded pastor or educator, the man who would make his mark in any activity he undertook ,and this four-square man needs no more armor than to understand accurately the situation he faces and must dominate. Therefore Motion Picture Age throws light upon these problems that involve the best interests of our communities; but it is as ready to reinforce the efforts of the worthy cause in practical ways as it is to expose the evil. The church and the school are the foundatin of the truest and ablest citizenship; the citizen who opposes the efforts of the church toward more thorough religious training, and those of the school toward more complete and vital education, strikes a body blow at his fellowcitizen. The theatrical exhibitor who attempts to prevent film showings of a nonprofessional character in the churches and scho6ls of his community is a public danger EDITORIALS — he imperils, not alone the structure, but the very groundwork, of democracy. We can conceive of no community so indifferent to the welfare of its social organization as to permit this virtual anarchist to exercise the authority he has pre-empted; if such community there be, it deserves no better fate than to be ruled by a grasping monopolist. THE DEVELOPMENT MOST SIGNIFICANT to visual instruction, in the recent convention of the National Education Association, occurred at the VisualInstruction Breakfast, held at the Congress Hotel. At a previous meeting, at which probably not more than 50 per cent of those attending the breakfast had been present, tentative plans had been laid for a "National Visual-Instruction Association." This plan was outlined somewhat vaguely at the breakfast session ; but immediately considerable discussion arose as to the exact scope of the proposed association, its connection with or its distinction from the N. E. A. Visual-Instruction Section and the National Academy of Visual Instrction, its possible duplication of the work performed by one or both of these visual-instruction groups, and any indications that it could accomplish more definite benefits than had these bodies. Dr. E. L. Crandall, president of the Visual Instruction Association of New York, and chairman of the session, explained that the National Acamedy of Visual Instruction was felt to be primarily of benefit to the university educators, and had little significance for the visual instructionists operating in high schools and the grades ; that the Visual-Instruction Section of the N. E. A. never had shown signs of life (there were no dissenting voices!) ; and that the new body would have no connection with the N. E. A. except as it might be recognized as an affiliating organization, nor no necessary connection with the National Academy of Visual Instruction. As to definite aims, the new organization, according to Dr. Crandall, planned at least to render practical service to the common-school visual educator, and to give the producers and distributors of visual materials a voice in the movement in which their time and funds are invested. The majority of those present at the breakfast session were commercially interested in visual aids, and several of the officers of the new body were chosen from the commercial interests. What is the occasion of this organization in a field ostensibly already occupied by such a body? (While, in answer to a question as to the apparent duplication of the National Academy's function, the statement was made that the new organization would operate in a field untouched by the Acamedy, it is reasonable to feel that if the Academy was considered to have been serving its purpose the normal procedure would have been merely to extend the Academy service, not establish a new group.) Study of the movement and its sponsors points to two reasons, justifiable or 4 not, for the step; the feeling among a number of visual educators that the Academy has been nebulous and theoretical, but has not been constituted the competent clearing-house through which these daily users of visual aids may secure dependable information and practical guidance ; and the attitude of some commercial interests that they are entitled to be heard on the problems of visual instruction. (Dealers in visual aids are allowed to become associate members of the Academy — dues, $1 — or contributing members — dues, $50 ; but no commercial man may be heard in the deliberations of the Academy, nor vote upon measures.) One distributor of equipment expressed himself thus at the session: "I pay the Academy $50 per year for the privilege of keeping my mouth shut !" What of the assertion that the Academy is lacking in practical significance to the visual educator? The very fact that a group of visual-instruction advocates, some of them members of the Academy, has banded together in an organization to perform duties unquestionably within the jurisdiction of the Academy might well analyze its own strengths and weaknesses, or that we are witnessing a political move ; and we have no grounds to support the latter theory. As to the plaint of the commercial man — we say without reservation that he is absolutely in the right ! The Academy was founded on clean-cut ethical principles, which it has been successful in maintaining without taint ; and adherence to these principles seemed to dictate that the man who profited financially by visual instruction could not expect as free a hand in deliberations as the man who sought only the general betterment of his visual service and the general field. But the weakness of the plan was that it put the commercial man in the undemocratic position of supporting an organization in which he could exercise no control, nor even express an opinion ; his sole privilege was to contribute ! It is obvious that an organization of visual educators cannot admit to identical membership the very men whose product these educators must at various times analyze and debate upon ; but there is nothing to preclude a system of parallel membership, with an educators' branch and a commercial men's branch, and with every man, whatever his vocational status, at least enjoying his constitution-given right of free speech in the deliberations that concern him. The Academy should see a basis for constructive action in this or a similar improvement of an arrangement that has proved untenable. If the National Academy of Visual Instruction limits its functioning to the field of university extension service, as is claimed, it would be well that visual educators should know this. If the Academy is unlimited in its scope, it should make itself so forcibly felt in the work of the common-school visual educator that its scope cannot but be properly understood. (We are given to understand that plans for an approved Academy pedagogical film and slide library are under serious contemplation, and are to be debated at the April meeting; the early development of such a practical project will do more to tell the true story of the Academy's worth than would hours of oratory.) Moving Picture Age has always been an advocate of the Academy, as being the only organization of its kind, and we are interested to note the attitude of the