Educational film magazine; (19-)

'NEATH POLAND'S HARVEST SKIES pOLAND in a state of peace is a condition hard to real- ize since war has been an almost constant visitor at her doors for several years past. And yet in the remote r^ions of the country, according to a series of film views sent home to America by Ernest B. Schoedsack, a Red Cross cameraman, Polish peasants till the soil, gather in the harvest, and pursue their usual labors and pleasures un- perturbed. This series of views is not alone interesting in subject matter but has been splendidly photographed, beautifully tinted, and assembled with care. The subtitles, too, are helpful in emphasizing the peaceful atmosphere of the picture, which is one of many such that are arriving at intervals at the motion picture department of the American Red Cross. The film presents harvest scenes, showing masculine and feminine workers, a Polish wedding and dance, home scenes of the Polish peasants, and an amusing custom which the women follow of going barefoot to within a stone's throw of the town for the purpose of saving their shoe leather. "REEL FACTS NO. 2" T TNDER the general title of "Reel Facts" the International ^^ Church Film Corporation and its subsidiary com- panies throughout the country are putting out a periodical release consisting of scenics, travel subjects, industrial topics, welfare, and various magazine and current event features. The No. 2 shown recently, composed of "The Wonder Falls of Pennsylvania" and "Our Industrial Blind," forms the introduction to the second unit program booked for the churches during November. The first half of the reel shows the Appalachian Moun- tains, the Glen above Bushkill Falls, the Gorge below Bush- kill Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Marshall's Falls, Winona Falls, Cherry Valley and McMichael's Falls, all beautifully toned and tinted. "Our Industrial Blind" covers the Weaving Room, Caning of Chairs, Basket Weaving, and Stenography and Typewriting. It is astonishing to note the dexterity and technical perfection which these blind men and women have attained in the operations mentioned. There is an interesting close-up of a blind girl stenographer making raised notes on a roll of paper and rapidly transcribing these notes on the typewriter by running her sensitive fin- gers over them. w w "THE ISLAND OF THE MIST" PICTOGRAPH 7063 shows the first picture taken by Major Alexander Powell, the noted author and traveler, during his recent trip to the far corners of the earth. The picture is called "The Island of the Mist," which means Hongkong, China. The film shows interest- ingly the curious cosmopolitan life of this Paris of the Orient. The picture begins with the approach of an ocean liner through the harbor toward the island and ends with a view of the island and harbor together, from the peak. Interspersed between the beginning and the end of the picture are scenes taken through the English settlements and the Chinese quarter, showing how a dozen nations of the earth live in kaleidoscopic but harmonious proximity in a district which is said by experienced travelers to be the most cosmopolitan community in the world. "A VISIT TO MORGAN PARK" A VISIT TO MORGAN PARK," a film of 33-15 feet made in the late summer months, depicting Morftan Park, a suburb of Duhith, Minn., was shown for the first time at the Morgan Park Clubhouse recently. The simple plot is laid about the visit of two or three persons, who, presumably having to wait for a train, decide to call on a friend in the park in the interim. Only one of the visitors has been here before, wlien Morgan Park was five years younger and less populous. The first few feet are devoted to the journey from the station to the park, with views, as recalled by one, of the earlier period. Arriving here, the visitors find their friend, who takes them on an automobile trip througli the village. On this ride, the activities of the community and the natural surround- ings are shown. The garage on North Boulevard is therefore one of the first points of interest, which is followed by a visit to the I>ake View Store, where a number of the departments are shown. The Park State Bank is examined by the automobilists and then, the day being pleasant, they enjoy a ride in the northern part of the village, which finally brings them to the picnic grounds on East Boulevard. Here there is a picnic in progress, with its usual accompaniment of a ball game, refreshments, races, and band concert, the visitors enjoying the fun from the automobile. Of .course the backyard gardens come in for their share of the attention, some of the better ones being displayed in the film. Guided by the friend, the out-of-town guests drive by the Morgan Park Clubhouse—stopping here to make a tour of the interior—and a little later by the Administration Building and the Nenovan Club. The gardens and lawn are so pretty that the visitors desire' to ride about the residential portion of the com- munity a bit longer, which affords some excellent views of the Park. The chauffeur takes them to the Universal Portland Cement Company plant, on the return passing by the Morgan Park School, with the plant of the Minnesota Steel Company in the background. The construction work is vividly portrayed at this juncture, the film showing the actual building operations necessary in building new houses and in arranging the many details necessary in so large a construction program. In the third reel of the picture, the visitors spend a share of their time in Block 33, visiting the different departments of the' Neighborhood House and watching the children at play. A short journey is taken to the hospital, wherein is shown some of the more interesting rooms. From this point, a large part of the film is devoted to the children, the drive taking the visitors past the infant playgrounds and out to the Boat Club, where the boys and girls of the Park are having a picnic. The Boy Scouts in the picnic give a demonstration of their work, such as knot-tying, signalling, and with the assistance of the other picnickers, life- saving demonstrations. Back in the park again the visitors see the summer work of the Scouts of Troop 3, the opening of the trail through the surrounding woods. As time is passing and the train nearly due, one last look at homes, woods, and garages is taken and visitors flee to a convenient street car, bound, after four reels of sightseeing, to a distant city. TWO REMARKABLE STUDIES OF BIRD LIFE TNTIMATE studies of birds at home in their tree-top nests -*■ are contained in these two remarkable nature pictures. In- finite patience must have been required to secure the views of young herons and young hawks at various stages of their exist- ence from birth onwards. In a series of wonderful close-ups— photographed at a distance of a few yards from a specially-built observation post in a neighboring tree—we see exactly how the lively youngsters are fed and educated, until at last they are able to use their wings and forage for themselves. "The Story of the Heron" opens with general views of the Kentish heronry where the films were made last summer. Captain C. W. R. Knight, M. C, F.R.P.S., the cinematographer, is seen climbing a lofty oak an<l preparing a "nest" of sacking for him- self and his camera. The art of disgorging food after it has been swallowed is an important accomplishment for the youiig heron, which, by thus reducing its weight, is able to increase its wing- speed at times of emergency. Great joy prevails in the heron home at supper time when the father brings back the supper.. The struggles of the himgry family to secure the biggest share, provide many delightful moments of natural comedy. "The Story of the Kestrel" gives a detailed and intimate pic- ture of the habits and liome-life of this well-known British hawk. In a unique series of scenes we watch the parent-bird drop from mid-air upon a tiny field mouse, and carry its struggling prey back to its nest in the tree-tops. .\ close-up of a young hawk stuffing a lark's leg is another episode of gruesome interest. Per- haps the most fascinating of all these scenes, however, is a wonderful study of a hawk at dinner. A large thrush is swal- lowed whole, the feathered bo<ly being gradually absorbed by the voracious kestrel, till even the tail-tip disappears Then the kestrel shuts its eyes, gives two great sighs of satisfaction, and positively smiles. So vivid a glimpse of bird character has seldom been seen on the screen. 21