Canadian Film Weekly (May 31, 1944)

Page 2 Canadian FILM WEEKLY May Ue Report Draws Press Comment (Continued from Page 1) Agreeing with the Censor’s statement that beyond a certain point “the problem transfers itself to the parents or guardians of the child, the manager of the theatre and the organizations of the local community.” the Globe and Mail says that “Thus, once more, the problem of juvenile delinquency leads back to the home, the first instance. Other Factors rSFPIHERE are innumerable media which affect the grow ing child and which can contribute to juvenile delinquency,” says the Globe and Mail. “In addition to the motion_picture there are cheap magazines, the radio, and even comics in newspapers, unless great care is taken to supervise the types published. But nome of those is an argument in favor of abolishing books, comics, radio and magazines. “The films, having such a strong impact on the person viewing them, have been under greater care and supervision than the publication of magazines. But it would do no good to abolish, say, all films in which crime is dealt with because some child might try to copy the villain rather than the hero.” Social service workers, the paper points out, lay great stress upon the home and that this, together with church and school, is the greatest influence on the character of the child. The Industry’s Obligation INBER the Globe and Mail nor the Peterborough Examiner agrees that the motion picture in general is what it could be. “The Silverthorne report, meeting frankly as it does the effect on the juvenile mind of the film, serves a most useful purpose.” states the Globe and Mail. “For there are those interested in the production and distribution of motion pictures who take the stand that it is all nonsense there can be any contribution to juvenile delinquency as a result of the kind of pictures seen by the child.” The Peterborough Examiner agreed that Mr. Silverthorne and his colleagues “perform their duties ably and discreetly.” In am earlier editorial about the industry’s fiftieth anniversary that paper called its achievements “astounding,” saying “if we hope that the industry’s head catches up with the rest of its body in the next fifty years, we imply no derogation of what has already been done.” Film and theatre men won't find it hard to agree with both papers. Moral Responsibility T° IS quite true that the artistic and intellectual development of the screen is somewhat behind its physical and technical growth. Even so, in many instances the artistic and intellectual plane of the film is above the general public. The boxoffice has proved that. the response being poor. But film producers and exhibitors, like members of any field of endeavor, have a moral responsibility to do nothing that would depreciate the national character or impede its development. This responsibility has been served and the exceptions among industry members prove the rule. It isn't good enough to say that we give the public what it wants. The great problem is how to get the public, tastes being what they are, into movie theatres for pictures with a purpose. Not so long ago Washington decided that war stories should be more realistic so that public complacency might be dissipated by a greater understanding of what fighting men and women go through. But the public, as well as men and women in the services, preferred entertoinment films and the policy was changed. It was better to have the people in the theatre so that they might receive the messages offered in shorter reels. The motion picture indusiry, a medium of public information not supported by public funds, would be a poor courier if it could not deliver the message. What is true of war pictures is also true of films on a high plane. The public wouldn't be there when the message arrived—even if the messenger managed to carry on in spite of poor financial health brought on by his task. Edison’s Wise Words T° Thomas Edison goes the credit for having made the most important observations regarding movies. To 600 representatives of the industry gathered to honor him on his seventy-seventh birthday, the late inventor of movies as we know them today said: “I believe as I have always believed that you control the most powerful instrument in the world for good and evil. Whatever part I may have played in its development was mainly along mechanical lines. The far more important development of the motion picture as a medium for artistic effort and as an educational factor is in your hands. “Because I was working before most of you were born, I am going to bore you with a little advice. Remember that you are servants of the public, and never let a desire for money or power prevent you from giving to the public the best work of which you are capable. It is not the quantity of riches that counts; it’s the quality which produces happiness, where that is possible.” The fact that the Silverthorne report, though it covered one province, attracted national attention is proof of con-—cern with the movies—a concern based on their power for good or evil. As the Globe and Mail said. “Public opinion has changed, and will again, the content of the films.” But let’s make sure it is really public opinion, not the voice of an aggressive minority. 3 British Experiment A rTHE British motion picture industry, under the leadership hee of J. Arthur Rank, is threatening American leadership Ss for post-war markets. As yet but a threat, Rank’s ability j , and determination has caused his intentions to be taken “¥ as seriously as though they were accomplishments, j ‘ Now Rank is“d¢bout to make special films for children. S It is an interesting and noble experiment. There is no _ doubt that they will be tried in this country when available. Let’s see how they make out. It is apparent that the British motion picture is subjected to the same criticism at home. And Rank, a dynamic leader, is being called a monopolist who keeps the worthy efforts of independent producers off his screens, while presenting productions of lesser quality produced under his authority or controlled by him. The Toronto Evening Telegram devoted a long editorial to British films based on Silverthorne’s observations about their growing popularity. The Silverthorne report has proved to be of great value. It brought motion picture problems and information pertaining to them before responsible judges. And they have been very fair in weighing the industry publicly. zerly, Address all communications—The Managing Editor, Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada, blished Film Publications of Canada Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, On = fit head ADelaide 4317. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year. ™ Entered as Second Class Matter Printed by Eveready Printers Limited, 78 Wellington Street West, Torente, Ontaria . Vol. 9, No. 22 May 31, 1944 VL nintebesiaisrein OE HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor