Reel and Slide (Jan-Sep 1919)

REEL and SLIDE Building a Film "Story" on Pig Iron Romance of Great Lakes Ore Fleets Furnish Theme for Rogers-Brown Production "From Mine to Molder" Designed to Instruct the Public in Important Industry By J. R. Morehead (Rogers, Brown & Company, Cincinnati) IT is not surprising that Rogers, Brown & Company should turn to moving pictures for the purpose of recording the many interesting processes which abound in the pig iron industry. There is ample in the subject to arrest the attention of young and old, and its most interesting phases are rather inaccessible to the average student or interested party who might profit and be entertained by a study of this most vital industry. Our pictures are called "From Mine to Molder." In presenting them, the company has felt it would serve a distinct educational purpose in awakening the majority of the people to a realization of the immensity of the world's greatest industry, the American iron and steel business, by detailed showing of the methods pursued in the mining, transportation and handling of ore and the manufacture of pig iron and steel The films were produced by the National Motion Picture Co. of Indianapolis. Films Made on the Properties "From Mine to Molder" was filmed almost exclusively on the premises of the company by Henry B. B. Yergason. This is brought out clearly by adroit manipulation of the scenes and to this we owe the advertising value of the reels for the purposes of the company. The Lake Superior region is the foremost ore producing territory in the country, contributing about three-quarters of the total output of the United States. The preparation of the "Mine to Molder" pictures is a story replete with interesting details and experiences, some not without the element of danger. The first photograph was made at South Chicago in January, 1912, the last at Buffalo in August. In all, sixty-five people were employed at different times, and when taking the remarkable Besse Moving pictures are able to depict the most impressive phases of the metal industries. mer pictures, six men labored for five days installing the necessary electric lighting apparatus before the camera could even be focused. The camera was carried into the hold of ore boats, hoisted to the topmost point of ore bridges, exposed to lake storms in order to take passing vessels when available and blistered by too close proximity to white-hot ingots. It was hauled up the side of an ore carrier in Detroit River while the boat was pushing northward at twelve miles an hour. To get the many conditions of position, weather and typical operations satisfactory, it was frequently necessary to wait days to take but one scene to fit in and complete the series. In making the pictures over 10,300 miles were covered by Rogers, Brown •& Company's representatives. The pictures are considered the most perfect industrial series yet placed before the public. Most of the scenes are taken of the Rogers, Brown & Company's ore and pig iron operations and interests, the views at the Lackawanna Steel Company being shown to make the set complete and of unquestioned educational value. Begin Pictures at the Mines Our subject begins at Hibbing, Mich., with a panoramic view of the Mahoning and Hull Rust Mines. Then follows a trip through the Mahoning Mine. We then show the ore trains leaving for the assembly yard, give a sweeping view of the ore docks, the removal of the hatches of an ore boat and the dumping of the ore from the docks to the ship's hold. Following are tabulated a few of the most interesting scenes in order to show how the subjects which are likely to be of greatest interest to the inexperienced are played up: Removal of ingot from soaking pit and placing on rolls. Passage of a 3^-ton ingot through rolls. Hydraulic shear cutting steel slabs. Rail saw cutting hot steel rails. The stamping and cambering machine through which the rails pass in finishing. Torrent of ore pouring into the hold of the vessel. Loaded ore boat leaving docks. Locking through an ore carrier. Lifeboat drill on the S. S. Wm. C. Agnew. Passing loaded ore boats in the St. Clair River. The ore laden fleet of the Great Lakes. Ore unloading at the furnace. Transferring ore from stock pile to larry car. Charging the blast furnace by means of the skip hoist. Chicago Board of Education Arranges Picture Shows for Children of City IN Chicago "America's Answer" has proved highly popular with the school children. A representative of the Division of Films arranged a special children's performance for Saturday morning, November 16, at the Vernon Theater. The matter was presented to the Board of Education, and authorization was given for announcement to be made in the several schools in the locality of the theater, telling the children where and at what time they might see the official film. The Board of Education also appointed several principals to go as critics and to report upon the picture and the performance. A special admission price of five cents was arranged. When Saturday morning came there was a downpour of rain, but, notwithstanding, there was a large and enthusiastic audience on hand. The children evidenced their delight with cheers and much hand-clapping as scene after scene from "over there" showed them what their big brothers and fathers did on the other side. At the close of the performance, the educational authorities present stated that they considered it a highly instructive picture and would gladly endorse and recommend it to the Board of Education. Portland, Ore., Civic Workers Use Moving Pictures, Advertising Oregon Abroad THROUGH the co-operation of Portland, Ore., civic bodies, Oregon will be advertised widely in Europe by a lecturer of the Y. M. C. A., who will travel in France, Belgium, and when conditions permit, probably in Germany. William Eliot, who has been assigned on this lecture trip, has been supplied with nine reels of film, depicting work of the spruce production, Columbia River highway, rose festival, the cattle and sheep industry, and bird and animal life. Mr. Eliot is a specialist on the bird and animal life of the state, and is familiar with the industrial activities and the attractions of this section for agriculture. It is expected that his tour will be effective in interesting desirable settlers from abroad. Expense of furnishing the films was borne jointly by the Chamber of Commerce, which furnished $450, and the Rotary Club, Ad Club, Progressive Business Men's Club and Realty Board, each of which contributed $56.25. The share of the Ad Club was raised at a luncheon by the subscriptions of 42 members, in amounts ranging from 50 cents to $20 each.