Educational film magazine; (19-)

FILM INTRODUCTION TO SERMON (Continued from page 9) imotion picture, in the popular attitude toward jit merely as a "show," or as a novel method [permitting the relaxing of the customary atti- Itude of reverence and worshipfulness. The preacher must guard this vigilantly and so con- duct his service that even the gamin from the streets will feel the difference between this and the "show." Real Function of the Film in the Pulpit Dr. Kelley has demonstrated that the real function of the film in the pulpit is not to fur- nish the sermon, but its introduction, its text an absolutely new discovery in the use of j'lhe film. The film sermon, without the human, personal presence and appeal of the living preacher is apt to miss the mark. Its extend- ed reels merely stir the superficial emotions ami fail to touch tlie heart, the mind, the will. I'.very book on homiletics dwells lengthily on the importance of an interesting and vivid in- ttroduction. What more striking introduction il be imagined tlian the action, tlie story and and denouement of a properly edited and 'produced film? The single reel films dealing 'witli various Bible subjects, now produced by company at least, afford precisely the kind I 1 motion picture text which is necessary. The most difficult point in the whole problem ,of this use of tlie film as the introduction to tlie ■real message lies in tlie moment of transition I screen and darkness to the speaking, visi- preacher himself. The test of his ability to use the film comes here. Success or failure depends on his opening sentence. This must carry on the thought whicli the last flash of the screen leaves with his audience. If his opening words fail to do tliis the evening is Host. A fine illustration of the skillful use of this i>pi ning sentence is that in connection with tlie story of Elijah and the Shunamite woman's child. The last scene on the screen is the prophet restoring the lad, made alive again, to his mother. With the flashing on the lights Dr. Kelley begins: "I'm sorry the picture stops there; aren't ijrou? I wonder where she went, what she did, where the boy went and what he did, whether he turned out to be worth all it cost to bring him here, to keep him here!" Another follows tlie graphic screen story based on the text "Whosoever loseth his life shall find it." The film is a simple treatment of this great theme. A young doctor is seek- ing to discover a serum for the sleeping sick- ness. He is called by telegram to Washington where his serum is to be tested in competition t with another. But, on the day appointed, an epidemic of this disease breaks out in his com- 1 munity and among others the girl he loves is I stricken. He is torn between duty and ambi- ! tion. His fortune and fame depend upon his ; being in Washington. His duty and love Iwld ! him at home. The latter wins. He remains at home and by his discovery stays the pro- gress of the disease, saves the girl he loves, but loses his chance. However, in the ending of , the film it is discovered that the other serum has ])roven a failure and the girl he hoped to «in awakens to a rare affection for him, so hav- Tell tke advertiser yo" ing lost he really wins. The introduction fol- lowing this gripping story is as follows: "Is this what the scripture means this girl is reading, that whosoever loseth his life, for Christ's sake, shall find it? But this thing the young doctor did was so commonplace. There are no halos, no crowns of laurel twined about tlie brows here. Yes there are. These are just the kind of brows time crowns with immor- tality." Film and Sermon Coordinate The film must produce the impression, but the sermon produces the conception. It is this organizing, this fusing of the emotional im- pressions the screen story has produced which lirings the motion picture to its maximum of possibility. The message is not a side issue, a sop to the prejudices which demand some- thing, though it be but a word, in the form of the traditional sermon. The sermon, under this conception of the use of the motion picture, seizes the impressions the picture has already liroduced in the minds of the congregation and skillfully uses them to make tlie listener ar- rive at the conclusion of the preacher. No finer homiletics can be found than this. If Dr. Kelley can do it others can. Tlie time will come when the teacher of homiletics in the seminary will teach the preachers of the future how to do this thing and the method will be as familiar to the church-goer of tomorrow as our firstlys, secondlys and thirdlys of yesterday. Not a moment must be lost between the last flash of the picture and the opening words of the speaker. The end of the picture and the turning on of the auditorium lights must be simultaneous. The screen must remain where it is. The slightest movement or distraction will lose the vital transition which the preacher must make in this single moment. (Continued on page 20) • AVAILABLE FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION '•The Making of Soap," an educational film furnished in standard or narrow gauge In Mass., R. I., Conn., N. J., N. Y., Del., Md., Washington, D. C and Kastern Pa. \Vc can furnish complete entertainment FKKE including machine and oiierator. For (irtker ii- KIRKMAN A SON. EdooUoDil Dinsioa foriMtiM write 303 Bridie Street. BrooUrD, N. I. 320 WRIGLEY BI_DC3. .»»-IOME DOUQUAS 5033- INDUSTRIALS. COUCATIONALS AND NEWS ASSIGNMENTS, Sargent's Handbook of ASIERICAN PBIV.4TE SCHOOLS An Annual Suri-ey and Review describing I'RIVATE SCHOOLS of all clagsiflcations and SUMMER CAMP for Boys and Girls. A Compendium for Educators. A Guide Book for Parents, supplying inti- mate information, which makes possible a discriminating choice. Comparative Tables give the relative Cost, Size, Age, Special Features, etc. Introductory Chapters review interesting developments of the year in education. Education Service Bureau will be glad to advise and write you intimately about any School or Camp In which you are interested. Write for full particulars. Consultation by Appointment 7th Edition. 89« pp. »4.00 Postpaid Circulars and Sample Pages on Reqneat. PORTER E. SARGENT, U Beacra St., B«i«.. Mm.. Loose-Leaf Catalog Service 6 mos. $ .50 Magazine 3 mos. $ .25 6 mos. 2.50 Catalog S mos. 1.25 $3.00 Total $1.60 Mail vour Check or money order NOW EdautioBal Fihi, 191 Moalwoe St. Broeklya, N.Y. MOTION PICTURE USERS Schools, Churches, Institu- tions, Manufacturers and other non-theatrical users, contem- plating the purchase of motion picture machines and films, should obtain a booklet of valuable information which Is supplied without coat by The Associated Uanatactnrers of Safety Standard Films and Projectors Suite 1418, 440 4th Avenna New York City MANY NEW RELEASES for Fall and Winter Bookings including ten 1-reel religious subjects made by our own studio, ten Juvenile subjects Churches, Schools, Y. M. C. A.s or Institutions never worry about their pictures when they get films from us— The Leading Non-Theatrical Exchange of the country. /Religious films for Sunday night show- ings. We have educational films for class room work. /Good, clean character- building ontertain- ment films for all occasions. THE NEW ERA FILMS 21 E. 7th St., 3405 Olive St., Chicago, 111. St. Louis, Mo. 602 Youngerman Bldg., Dea Moines, Iowa read hit ad in Educational Film Macaiine — it meant belter service for you