Educational film magazine; (19-)

Established January, 1919 The International Authority of the ?^on-Theatrical Motion Picture Field Covering Educational, Scientific, Agricultural. Literary, Historical, Juvenile, Governmental, Religious, Travel Scenic, Social Welfare. Industrial, and Cultural Motion Pictures PiMhhed Monthh/ at White Plains, N. >'., and SS West 42nd Street (Aeolian Hall,) New York City DOLPH EASTMAN, tlditor and Publisher GLADYS BOLLMAN. Assistant Editor VoL V. FEBRUARY, 1921 No. 2 THE CHURCH AS A FILM PRODUCER AN article in the Religious Department of this issue tells of the entry of the Methodist and Episcopalian official church boards into the business of seriously providing thousands of churches of these two denominations with motion picture programs. In the case of the Methodists actual production of films is under way. That the movement will spread to take in the Presbyterians, the Baptists, the Lutherans, the Congregationalists and other Protestant organizations there is no doubt. The Catholics are already deeply absorbed in the problem of competing with neighborhood movie theaters and are giving creditable entertainments. What does all this mean? It means simply that the Church as an institution has thrown off the dark and dusty cloak of tradition and has come forth into the world of men and women, the world of everyday thought and action, prepared to serve the insistent needs of mankind. We said on this page nearly two years ago that the Church would have to do this very thing and utilize the power of the motion picture, and here it is. The movement in this direction was inevitable if religion was to sur- vive among men and the Church remain as one of the steadying forces of civilization. The reaction of the masses to church film cam- paigns ably conducted can be gauged fairly accur- ately, and their influence will be all for good. Two other forward movements will probably be greatly stimulated by this progressive movement within the Church: visual education in schools and colleges will be brought appreciably nearer to actuality, and the general character of entertainment film productions will undergo a change for the better. It is incon- ceivable that educational authorities many of whom are church members and trustees will withhold ap- proval and appropriations for teaching films after being convinced by visual demonstrations in the I churches. Similarly it is inconceivable that producers of dramas and comedies for the screen will not be persuaded by the always effective argxmient of the box office that only those films pay which the eager millions wish to see; and even now thousands of regu- lar patrons do not desire any more drivel, rough house, sex or crime stuff—even now, before the church and the school have entered upon their movie campaigns except in a primitive and partial way. Long before those movements have reached their crest millions of movie viewers in America, includ- ing the fans and the personality-worshippers, will have undergone a complete change of heart towards the screen and its fleeting shadows. VISUAL EDUCATION ON A SOUND BASIS LAST month we published a preparatory article by Dr. Groszmann on certain phases of visual education as they concern the child mind, and this month we are opening a new Department of Pedagogical Research in Visual Education, under his editorship, which promises much fruitful effort in this field. Already Dr. Groszmann has won the in- terest and cooperation of several of the country's leading educators who realize the need and the im- portance of intensive research work in this direction, and they have agreed to serve as active members of a Committee of Research under our auspices. It is our earnest hope that out of the labors of these able educators will come results fraught with the very greatest significance and practical value to the educational field. We shall delve deeply into all of the pedagogical possibilities of both the mo- tion and the still picture methods. We shall institute tests, make comparisons, prepare charts and tables, • and endeavor to arrive at definite conclusions in a thoroughly exhaustive and scientific manner. All preconceived notions on the subject of visual educa- tion will be thrust aside and this committee of in- vestigators will start with a clean slate. Months may be required before they will be ready to sub- mit even a preliminary report of their findings.