The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

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Musings on the Movies Donald -Clive Stuart Princeton University L yTR. GRIFFITH is reported |\/| to have said that motion Lt A pictures must be suited to le individual intellectually nine ears of age. If this is Mr. Griffith's im, he may be congratulated as eing eminently successful in hitting he mark. His so-called "triumph f motion picture art," Way Dozvn last, is a blatant example of what appens when a producer aims to aptivate the lowest order of intel- ligence to which he dares to appeal. 7he sole commendable elements in his production are the pictorial harm of certain pastoral scenes and he cleverness with which the snow nd ice scenes were screened. Psy- hologically, and hence dramatically, te picture is "nine years of age." The majority of American films re devised to appeal to a low order { intelligence. It would seem from he fact that millions of Americans atronize motion pictures, that one nust conclude that the majority of \mericans are, from an artistic )oint of view, morons. The import- mt fact is, however, that Americans )f average mentality go to motion )ictures and come away with a nore or less vague feeling of disap- )ointment. How often, coming out )f a theatre, one says, or hears said: It was very beautiful; but oh, what a story!" One admires the beauty of a landscape, the realism of a street scene, the impressive handling of a mob scene, a clever bit of faking; but, almost always, as the story unfolds, one murmurs to himself: "The plot sickens." If one remonstrates gently with those responsible for what they rightly call the motion picture in- dustry, and asks why this state of affairs exists, the mournful reply is made: "That is what the public wants." If this is the truth, then the effect of motion pictures on the drama is and will be to keep millions of stupid people out of the theatre by furnishing them elsewhere the kind of entertainment they demand. There are many people nine years old mentally and there is not the shadow of a doubt that many motion picture producers are relieving theat- rical producers of the burden of entertaining such people. Of course, some theatrical directors look upon this fact with regret and accuse the motion picture producers of stealing their audience; but, fewer poor plays succeed now than formerly simply because the nine year old minds have left the theatre for the movies. Almost every great play or novel contains a story which can be pre- sented artistically in motion picture,