Educational film magazine; (19-)

ing educators, psychologists, child students, social workers, and all those who can assist in collecting reliable and valu- able data, without fear or favor. We also appeal to par- ents who can record and report observations on their own children. ♦ * Some of the questions to be discussed, in addition to the points mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, are: What is the effect of so-called sex physiology pictures? To what extent can, or should, screen pictures, still or moving, be utilized in instruction, to replace pictures in books and on the wall, or actual observation of processes, laboratory work, visits to factories chemical plants, the country, historical places, etc.? Apart from purely instructional purposes, to what extent can the moving picture assist in forming the child's ideals and inspira- tion; his moral, ethical; religious, social and civic conceptions? Should the moving pictures be used only in schools, or should there be special children's show-houses, or both? What about the childrens moving picture machines used in the home? To what extent will the child's power of imagination, of visual- izing the unseen by his own constructive fancy, be affected by supplying motion pictures in its stead unduly? In particular, how should the fairy tale, and works of fiction, be handled in this respect? Is it correct to speak of "children's pictures" in a general sense, or should we discriminate between pictures for different ages and grades of maturity, for different types of mind and experience, for boys and girls, etc.? These are only a few questions which will invite re- search and discussion. What we need is not opinions, but observations and facts. « • We have received helpful encouragement from a num- ber of interested persons some of whom will eventually be asked to form a permanent committee of research. Prof. Adoi-f Meyer, Chief of the Phipps Psychiatric Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, writes: "The enterprise which you announce is undoubtedly very interesting. . . . The questions which you raise naturally ought to be straightened out by con- crete experiments wherever possible." Prof. James E. Louoh, Dean, Extramural Division, New York University; "The plans for the new department of the E. F. M. . . . are extremely interesting to me, and I hope that it may be possible for me to do some research work along the lines sug- gested." Dr. Ebnest L. Cbaxdall, Director of Lectures and Visual Education, New York Board of Education; "I am much interest- ed in your proposal . . . and I shall be glad to help." Prof. F. M. McMuBRV, of the Teachers College, Columbia Uni- versity: "I shall be much interested in your work, and shall be glad to follow it. I agree with you that our knowledge of this field is little developed and also that there is high need that it be better developed." A. G. Balcom, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Newark, N. J.: "I shall be glad to co-operate with you in every way pos- sible. Jn fact, we are trying to answer some of these questions in Newark." Dr. A. M. Rabineb, Brooklyn: "It is unnecessary for me to write you to say that I pm interested in that field . . . My limited knowledge of this subject is at your command, and you may call on me at any time, and be sure I will do my utmost." Prof. Lawbenck A. Averili,, Editor, The American Journal of School Hygiene, Massachusetts State Normal School, Worcester, Mass.; "I shall be glad to be of any assistance I can in the furthering of this project. I know of no topic of psychological import more needful to be investigated than this ... If a com- prehensive study could be soon undertaken to determine exactly what the effect of such stimuli as are ordinarily offered by public motion picture films is upon child nature, It would serve a very great need and would be gratefully received, I feel sure, by a great number of laymen who are waiting patiently for just that information. As for the other aspects of the proposed new de- partment, they are equally interesting and important to investi- gate. I wish for the new department of Eodcatiokai. Film Maoa- eiKE, under your editorship, a most successful and profitable place In our educational journalism. If my services or advice are of any value to you please feel quite free to call upon me at any time. This is a field of Investigation In which I have been long interested. These are only a few of the messages which we have received from people who know. Constructive sugges- tions are invited from others whose experiences and ideas may be found helpful in arriving at definite conclusions. RED CROSS SOCIETIES PRODUCING FILMS "The Will to Live," Drama on Tuberculosis, a Child Welfare Photoplay, and Pasteur Institute Film Scheduled for Early Release. IN a letter to the editor of Educational Film Magazine Edward Stuart, Chief of the Department of Popular Health Instruction, League of Red Cross Societies, 9 Cour de Saint-Pierre, Geneva, Switzerland, writes: "I have found it advisable to go into the production of films to some extent and have recently produced a film through a combination between the Rockefeller Tuberculosis Commission and a French company, a drama dealing with tuberculosis called "The Will to Live," which has met with marked success in Europe both as a theatrical and a public health film. Copies of it have already been sent to the Rockefeller Foundation in New York. I have just completed a contract with the American Red Cross, the Rockefeller Tuberculosis Commission, and a French company for the production of a drama on child welfare, which will cost about one-quarter million francs. I am also interested in the production of a film on the work of the Pasteur Institute in Paris. ' "There is an increasing interest in films of this kind in Europe and I have just had a conference with the Minister of Public Health in Serbia where they have an appropriation of more than a million francs for health propaganda, to include a large amount of film production." The League of Red Cross Societies is an international organization of which the American Red Cross, the British Red Cross, La Croix-Rouge Francaise, Le Croce Rossa Italiana, and La Croix-Rouge Japonaise are members. Sir David Henderson is director general of the league. Mr. Stuart as chief of the department of popular health instruction is making excellent use of motion pictures and is purchasing health subjects in Europe and America to some extent. Commenting upon this in his letter, he says: "At the present time we are not making any large purchases as we have only just recently created this bureau and we are making a specialty of securing only those films which are par- ticularly good, scientifically accurate, and suitable for our purpose of having them shown at lectures. I have found in connection with similar work which I have been doing for the Rockefeller Foundation that a very large portion of the existing films on public health have many defects and are quite worthless for our purpose. "We are, tlierefore, at the present time only securing informa- tion regarding what films are available, where they may be obtained, and at what prices, and we are only purchasing those which we have reason to believe are good enough for our purpose. We subscribe to Educational Film Magazine and are able to get a certain amount of useful information from it." In view of the valuable welfare work which the Red Cross is doing all over the world, the editor would appre- ciate any assistance or suggestions which our readers will be able to send direct to Mr. Stuart or through this office. 9 9 UNIVERSITY MAKES GOVERNMENT FILMS TVTORKING out the system of visual education at the University of Oklahoma, motion pictures have been taken of state departments by J. W. Shepherd, head of the visual education department at the university. Beginning with the opening session of the state legislature in January, pictures illustrating the passage of a bill up to the time it receives the governor's signature were made. This film will be the first of a series to compose three scenarios on the branches of government legislative, execu- tive and judicial The scenarios will be used in teaching civics and gover.nment in high schools. At present few such films can be obtained and Mr. Shepherd says that so far as he knows there has been only one other attempt to film the brandies of government for school use in the United States. ^ 12