Educational film magazine; (19-)

COMMUNITY MOVIES IN OMAHA CHURCH Feature Photoplays Shown on Friday Evenings—Proceeds to Help Finance Erection of New Community Building THE department of community motion pictures of the First Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, 34th and Larimore Avenue, Omaha. Nebraska, has been doing some val^iable cultural work with the screen in that city. The purpose is "to provide the community with first class pictures free from objectionable surroundings." Recent movie programs have been as follows: Oct. 29— The Romance of Tarzan —7 reels. .\n interestinp; fantasy. Nov. 5— The Last of His People —5 reels. Nov. 12— Her Kingdom of Dreams —7 reels. A girl's fantasy. Nov. 19— Ei/es of Youth —8 reels. What for the future? Wealth, career, or service. Nov. 25— The World A/lame, with Frank Keenan—6 reels. Special Thanksgiving program for Community House Fund. Pro- grams 7 and 9 o'clock. Admission 10 and 20 cents. Dec. 3— Dream Cheaters, with J. W. Kerrigan—5 reels. Dec. 10— Harvest Moon, with Doris Kenyon. Picture from Augustus Thomas' play of the same name. Dec. 17—Miss Billy Rhodes in Blue Bonnet. A Salvation .\rmy story you will all want to see. 7 and 9 o'clock. Dec. 31—Robe of Honor, with Henry Walthall. Comic and scenic reels will be added as occasion requires: Pro- grams start at 7:30 unless otherwise stated. Admission 10 and 1.5 <-ents except Nov. 25. In a neat four page folder issued by the managers of this department, on, the first page of which is an illus- tration of the Zenith projector, there is a statement signed by the board of managers, extracts from which are worth reprinting here: The organization of the department of community motion pictures marks a forward step in our program of community and social service which is being developed and will culminate in the completion of our Community Building during the coming season. To those who have not given the subject tlioughtful considera- tion, this step may appear to be revolutionary in church work. Few people realize the development of the motion picture during the last few years. In 1916 only 26 per cent of the pictures produced were considered suitable for the family. The demand for better pictures has increased this number until in 1919 69 per cent were so classed. The criticism of today is not against the motion picture as such -but against the surroundings in wliich it is found and the subjects produced by unscrupulous people who, to increase their I revenues, have taken advantage of the sensational nature of the people as an excuse for the production of "thrillers." The day [when the church stands as a monument in the community and doe's |nothing material for its betterment and uplift is past. It is its mission not only to teach eternal life, but how to secure it and to -assist by providing means for possessing it. i Our aim shall be not only to entertain but to create a wholesome jatmosphere for our community and provide educational and in- spirational gatherings. The tendency today is toward cooperative effort. Where can a better outlet or place for leadership in such effort be found than through the church? We trust you will give us your support and influence in this effort to serve the 'immunity. The Board. BETTER FILM MATINEES IN SALT LAKE CITY TPHE Better Film Committee of the Home and School League, Salt Lake City, Utah, is composed of a group of >eople who are" interested in cultivating a taste for better ilms. Each Saturday it conducts a matinee for boys and jirls. The best picture theater in the city is rented and here is given a program of seven reels—a five reel feature, m educational reel, and a one reel comedy. An admission PC of ten cents is charged and this pays for expenses. ! Miss Jennie M. Crabbe is corresponding secretary of the :ommittee. FILM SCHOOLS IN FIVE CHICAGO ARMORIES THE great problem of adult education in civic, social and industrial questions is being tackled by the National Guard Commission through its film schools for Chicago Guardsmen. These are being conducted weekly - in five arnjiories throughout the city. Selected films of a strictly educational character, fur- nished by the Society for Visual Education, are shown in lieu of formal textbook instruction. The screen presenta- tion is preceded by a preliminary discussion of the problem of the evening, and following the showing there is a period devoted to general conference, conduQted under parlia- mentary methods. These schools are under the general direction of Dr. George W. Hoke, chief director of the research and educa- tional development service of the United States Army, who has been assigned to the Chicago National Guard for the purpose of organizing its educational service. "The reels we plan to show Chicago Guardsmen during this course," says Dr. Hoke, "will have as their main purpose the teaching of American history and traditions, the prin- ciples upon which our Republic is founded and the actual workings of the machinery of government. They will drive home the duties and responsibilities that American citizen- ship carries with it. It is our idea to make every lesson both informational and inspirational. Honest-to-goodness Americans want to be able to give reasons for the faith that is in them." Dr. Hoke adds that subjects like community sanitation and personal hygiene, natural science and regional geography will also have places in the screen course. CULTURAL FILM PROGRAMS IN CHURCH 'T'HE S. B. Capen Men's Class, in one of the churches at Jamaica Plains, Mass., held a lecture course during the season of 1919 and 1920. Thirteen evening entertain- ments were conducted with an average attendance of about 500, and nine afternoon entertainments for children with an attendance averaging 250. The course was supported by a silver offering which amounted to approximately $600. This paid the expense of advertising, maintenance of equip- ment, music and films. The ushers, licensed operators, «nd supervision were volunteer. The church provided the auditorium, with light and heat. Films were procured from twelve different exchanges and included the follow- ing features, in addition to scenics and comedies: "Dom- bey and Son," "Carolyn of the Corners," "A Hoosier Ro- mance," "The Lion's Den," "Yankee Princess," "Sis Hop- kins," "Twenty-three and One-half Hours' Leave," "Three Men and a Girl," "Bill Henry," "His Majesty, the Ameri- can," "In Wrong," "Rose o' the River," and "Daddy Long Legs." The present season calls for fourteen evening and ten afternoon entertainments, all but two of motion pictures. The pictures so far bo,oked are: "The Copperhead," "Huckleberry Finn," "Alarm Clock Andy," "Excuse My Dust," and "Anne of Green Gables." 11