The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

386 Americanization Through Motion Pictures The Educational Scrc\ process of assimilation of those foreign-born peoples reached through the program. They have shown to these foreign-born friends of ours that America is a mighty force in industry and commercial wealth, and has, as well, scenic beauty. The value of such educational pictures toward assimilation by the foreign -born of American ideals, institutions, etc., is inestimable. We have found also, that they are a valuable adjunct in our naturalization classes for men and women preparing for citizenship. These programs are also furnished to schools where a large majority of the pupils are children of foreign-born parents. The letter quoted below, in part, from an auditorium teacher of one of our schools will show the value of motion pictures in their work : 'This is to testify that we have been using motion picture films furnished by your Association for two years and have found them of great educational value to our pupils of third to eighth grades, inclusive. "The grade teachers often speak of the great fund of general information the children have derived frorn seeing these films that reacts in their academic work. "We find the manufacturing and scenic pictures of special value." Out-of-door movies was inaugurated in Passaic and vicinity three summers ago and we have found it to be one of the best mediums to "carry on" throughout the hot summer months, bringing to those we reach a fund of educational knowledge and enjoyment through the educational and comedy reels. We have found that it is not necessary^ to add to this arrangement other than a one or two reel comedy to hold the attention of the crowds of people of all races, nationalities and ages, who flock to the movie centers eager for each night's program. Our programs this summer were the same as used in the two previous years, made up of a scenic, two educational and industrial pictures and finishing with a tw( reel comedy. The vice-president of one of our indus tries writes : "It gives great pleasure to learn tha you are going to show your free movie: again this summer. "May I say that I can think of no finei evening's work up in this district thai this. "Let me assure you that you have oui hearty co-operation and support. "One of the reasons that I think sc well of' this work, and I know I speak foi the company, is simply that this is constructive and if we had more constructive acts of this kind and less negative legislation we should not only raise the mora! standard more quickly but would have the great advantage of having made-peopk happy." A letter received from the Superintendent of Recreation for the City of Passaic reads in part as follows : "Please accept our thanks and appreciation for the motion picture entertainments made possible by your department of the Y. M. C. A. These pictures were greatly enjoyed by large crowds of all ages and nationalities and I personally feel that a vast amount of good has been accomplished through this agency and that the work should be kept up." I personally believe that what we have accomplished through educational motion pictures can be done by no other agencies as well. Our equipment is simple : a DtYvy projector and a portable screen. We do not care in the least to change the nature of our motion picture programs at our out-of-door summer shows for the more popular three or four reel feature pictures and a comedy, because the Association will then have lost its opportunity for attaining one important part of its objective — education, through visual instruction. ^