Educational film magazine; (19-)

6,400 SCHOOLS EQUIPPED FOR MOVIES Interesting Figures Gathered by the United States Bureau of Education—Standard Width. Non-inflammable Film Essential By R. F. Egner AT least 6,400 schools in the United States are equipped with machines for projecting motion pictures. About 3,720 of them are elementary schools and 2,680 are high schools, normal schools, colleges, etc. This estimate is based on a recent investigation by the Bureau of Educa- tion which covered 5,500 elementary schools and 4,500 institutions of higher grade. Of the 10,000 schools included in the investigation, 1,000 have standard size projection machines, 484 have made or will make arrangements to install machines immediately, and 2,025 schools have arranged to show the pupils edu- cational films outside the school buildings. Of the latter group 62 per cent use theaters, 30 per cent use city, com- munity, lodge, or club halls, and 8 per cent use churches. Of the remaining 6,491 schools, which have no projection machines, 67 per cent have electricity and have halls with an average seating capacity of more than 300 each, suit- able for the exhibition of films. Twenty-five per cent of the schools do not have electricity in or near the school buildings, although facilities for exhibiting motion pic- tures could be arranged. Eight per cent of the schools could obtain electricity near the school buildings. Source of Funds for Securing Films jroi A summary of the information received from the 1,000 schools which have installed projection machines, as to the source of available funds for securing films, shows that money is received as follows: Twenty-one per cent is raised by subscriptions among the pupils. Twenty per cent is raised by charging admission to com- munity gatherings. Eighteen per cent is appropriated by the Stale, the county, the city, or the school board. Seventeen per cent is derived from various private school funds. Seventeen per cent is received from miscellaneous sources, such as parent-teacher associations, school improve- ment associations, entertainments, various institutions, and advance sales of tickets. Seven per cent is received from personal contributions. Commercial film companies and exchanges furnish films to 55 per cent of the schools which show pictures. Thirty- six per cent receive films from Government departments and altruistic organizations, and 9 per cent from industrial manufacturing concerns. A large percentage of the schools receive films from more than one source. Appropriations of money to schools for visual educa- tion are usually small, although several schools have re- ceived appropriations of $500 each. According to the information received, initial appropriations and increases depend largely upon the availability of purely educational films, such as .supplement textbooks, and are suitable for classroom instruction. Standard Width Non-Flam Film Essential Schools equipped with projection machines in whi( standard-size films cannot be used have difficulty in pre curing films to fit their machines, and in many cases desii to exchange them for machines which will run standarc size film. The use of the standard-size film all over the world i therefore essential to the success of visual education, an the introduction of non-inflammable film equal to infl mable film in price, quality, and endurance will greal promote visual education. Some schools have had difficulty in providing booths the projection machines. It is gratifying to know, hi ever, that in several sections the stringent laws govern the use of the film have been relaxed. The investigation shows that the use of motion pictu in the schools is increasing in popularity and that tl method is regarded by many school officials as one of tl greatest aids in education. w w FILMING HISTORIC TOWNS OF BRITAIN AN extraordinarily interesting series of pictures is p ised by the Stella Muir Productions, to be distributi by the Lionel Phillips Company, of London, England. The series is to deal with historic towns of Britain, ai each subject will be dealt with not merely from the aid tectural, but from the human standpoint as well. F idea is first to illustrate the history and growth of viv town from the earliest records that can be discovered, ai by presenting these historic objects and buildings in chrci ological order to trace clearly the development both j the architecture and the industry of the town itself. Ha^ ing reached the present century, the film will proceed give an intimate picture of local life with picturesque ( tails of any events or customs peculiar to the locality. A splendid start has already been made with a film < picting the ancient cathedral, city of Canterbury, whi has not only been the scene of some of the most stirri events in British history but also contains many fascinati records of the past, often in an almost perfect state preservation. With its quaint waterways, so reminisce in many ways of Venice, and old-world atmosphere, tl beautiful city, which every year attracts countless llu sands of visitors from every part of the world, shoi make a picture of unique interest that will be acceptal to optiences far beyond the borders of this country. Otl cities to be dealt with in this series are York, Winchest Salisbury, Ely, etc. A special set of ten chapters will depict London un( various aspects and a wonderful series of scenes of L don by night taken by a new and beautiful process. 4000 PLAYERS IN GERMAN FILM THAT film producers will have to keep an eye upon Germ. if they do not wish to be outdone in spectacular effects evident from n Berlin telegram announcing that Germai biggest film effort was made the other day when the Coronat scene in "Anne Bolcyn" was filmed in the presence of Presic Ebcrt and 100 members of the Reichstag. Four thousand ] sons took part in tlic scene, for the purpose of which a full s. reproduction of Westminster Abbey and other historical buildi has been erected. IQ