Business Screen Magazine (1965-1966)

Ihc Knights Accept a Challenge M«-iiilnTs of th« Kiii^lil^ <>( {. V« a New Film KevraU Their flERE's AN Early Sequence in lia current Knights of Coluni■ticolor film in which narrator Lk Blair delivers some comforti^ords that might lead members lis fraternal organization to ^with contentment at their lot I'. ,'ics. there is gocxl — much good ti; man. And it seems that the C in man is rewarded. For he Ms in triumph over all that he ids. Abundance and plenty fill lye. His is a world of comfort ^ielight. His material blessings i|iany." |hey Enjoy the Good Life . . . ual sequences underscore the ing words as well-dressed 5ers parade along New York's Avenue and scrubbed, wellildren play in Central Park. here's a swift change to hard ut some are left behind." the ;or reminds his audience. And shown that "some" includes youngsters playing with ans in a slum. "The material ngs are not universal. There -products of poverty and inThere are social problems cry out for answers. A rising if immorality and secularism ts a challenge to us all, to cy. to Christianity. A chalthat must be met." nothcr Side of the Picture the visuals on the screen uddenly very real, near at A derelict forages in a gar an, children "try" marijuana, ased by a squad car. ersonal concern is not •M." says the voice, "all of the in the community, all of iCK.1 in man must respond." (iliiiiibiis ill Keal-Life KoU'is Services to the Coiiiniiinily Blair concludes: "The Knights of Columbus are dedicated to meeting this challenge. In the spirit of Christian charity, they work to answer the needs of the body — and the needs of the spirit." Meeting Their Res|Jonsibilities The work of that organization in meeting its responsibilities to society is the basic theme of this 27-minute color film. The Papal Challenge. Produced by Audio Productions, it draws its title inspiration from the "winds of change" blown through the world's Catholic community by the historic decisions reached at the Vatican's recent Ecumenical Council. The historical background of the Knights of Columbus are told in a series of flashbacks by a veteran member, and today's outward look toward changing problems of life as seen through the eyes of his member son. These add up to an impressive survey of the organization's activities and achievements. How the Knights Are Serving From the time of its establishment by Father McGivney ( in New Haven, Conn., in 1K82) as a fraternal benefit society that would care for the widows and orphans of its members, this story of the Knights covers their religious, community and patriotic activities. Youth programs, scholarship and charitable activities, credit bureaus, blood banks, hospital bed funds, insurance, parent-school participation programs and ecumenical activities which involve other religious groups within the community are pictured as double strands of history and of the future are creatively interwoven in the provocative filmic fabric. His Holiness, Pope Paul \ 1, iic^lous <i personal hciwdivliou upon the Kiiif^ihlx of Colunihiis . . . Two examples are noteworthy: an Arizona sequence showing Indian boys playing basketball in a K of C-sponsored youth program Youth activities: "in the spirit of Christian charitij, ihcy work to ansicrr the nerds of thr hodij — and the nrrds of the spirit." and ani>thcr showing the interviewing of participants Irom all over the world who have joined in The Knight's program for training in social leadership at St. Francis .Xavier University at Antigonish. Canada. Real People Live Their Holes Filmed in live states, in Canada and in Rome. The Papal Challenge makes good use of real people as its "cast." As Audio's producerdirector Hans Mandell explains: "non-professionals are the best actors when they're playing themselves." The Papal Challenge reaches its climax with a message to the Knights from His Holiness, Pope Paul \T, filmed at the actual Vatican ceremony in which the Pope bestowed his personal benediction upon the society. In these scenes, the Popes traditional, sacerdotal ceremonial dress appears to contrast with the garb of Catholic laymen in their modern dress. In this moment of contrast, the film achieves its symbolism and brings together the past and the future, age and youth, the worldly and the spiritual values that are woven into the fabric of the Knights of Columbus. ■ * * Film Has Been \\cII-Rccei\ccI Not inily a stimulus to renewed membership interest, the picture has been well received by community leaders of all faiths. This awareness of today's social needs has stimulated wide interest among local groups. Showings are being arranged by Knights' groups who have acquired their own prints to meet these booking requests. • last and future of the Knights of Cohnnhns "There are social problems ii7iiV7i crij out for an Openiiij; outward toward rlumninu prohliins of mholizrd hy these father and sr)»i members. sucrv " to he met hy youth activity proRrams. modern life" they look to needs of our limes. UKR 6 VOLUME 27 49