Visual Education (Jan 1923-Dec 1924)

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January, 19 2 3 Public Safety Lesson Taught Through Motion Pictures David S. Beyer Chairman, Motion Picture Committee, National Safety Council n WE are told by Mr. Will Hays, who recently gave up the position of Postmaster General of the United States to become the spokesman of the Associated Moving Picture interests, that approximately "TAKE-A-CHANCE" IN ACTION Carefully the film develops the fact that accidents, for the most part, do not simply "happen." They are the logical and direct result of foolhardiness and carelessness. Here the imp "Take-a-Chance" is trying to ■ inveigle an employee into mounting a weak ladder which the man's better judgment tells him is too shaky for safety. twenty millions of people patronize the picture houses in this country every day. He goes on to say: "In a few years the motion picture has penetrated to every hamlet in America. . . . Entertainment by the motion picture is afforded new millions monthly. In its educational possibilities in and out of theaters .... we have scarcely scratched the surface. Almost overnight it has come to be the great recreational and entertainment agency of the country, one of the greatest teachers of our times, a fundamental influence shaping American life." All over the country our schools are being supplied with motionpicture equipment just as fast as the boards of education can be separated from the necessary appropriations. I understand that Detroit is one of the leaders in this movement, with practically one hundred per cent equipment. Newark, Los Angeles, and many other cities are making rapid headway. New York has an appropri 1. Address before the 1922 Congress of the National Safety Council, Detroit, Michigan. "HORSE-PLAY" ON THE JOB In the same film, a grotesque figure known as "Horse-Play" tempts a young workman to throw a stone at a windowwasher plying his precarious trade nearby. Both scenes are from the safety film, "The Outlaw," which features King Carelessness and his impish band, of which "Didn't-Think" is a very busy member. ation of about $25,000 per year, and the indications are that this will grow to a much larger figure in the near future. Why the School Film? Any one who can recall his early school days can readily understand why there is this interest. In geography class we used to try to learn by heart statements such as, "The principal products of Mexico are petroleum, gold, silver, hides, insurrections, etc., etc." How much easier it is for the modern youngster who can actually see, via motion pictures, the operation of the oil wells, the working of the silver mines and the details of the cattle industry, with the chance that even the dashing Villa himself may ride into the picture at any moment ! I don't believe it is necessary for me to try to convince this audience that motion pictures are the ideal way of putting across the hazards of the automobile, the fallen electric wire, and the old swimming hole, because I believe you are already convinced. What seems to be most needed now is the pictures to supply the demand. One of the published objects of Mr. Hays' new Association of Picture Producers and Distributors is to provide good educational films. "THE HAND OF FATE" Fate, on the point of recording the death of John Hope, the central character in the safety film, "The Hand of Fate," is stopped by the restraining arm of the Spirit of Safety. This procedure occurs several times during the progress of the play.