The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Page 130 The Educational Screen Cux^Ent ^iLm <:J\[t Geography Filmsets K uniquely planned service of educa- tional films on Geography has just been introduced on the market by Filmsets, Inc., New York City. "Filmsets" are complete libraries of short, silent motion picture films to be owned by individual schools, making it possible for such a school to have unrestricted access to the material whenever it becomes pertinent to the lesson. This is the basis of effec- tual use of study films. This Geography Filmset consists of 48 units, and covers the more important aspects of the entire curriculum for geography in elementary and junior grades. Each unit is one-quarter of a reel (100 feet, 16mm), or approximately four minutes running time, and is de- voted to one specific topic. Because of their brevity, they concentrate interest on essentials only, thus helping the teacher to keep the lesson within definite limits. Every unit is complete within itself, so that units may be assembled in whatever order the teacher desires. For example, they may be used to approach the study of geography from the standpoint of Showing teacher's handbook and film case human needs, or regional relationships, or common environments, or historical developments. There is no over lapping of scenes in the various units. The in- dustrial units are made, so far as possible, without any refence to locale, just as the regional units refer to products but do not expand upon them when such prod- ucts are covered by units of their own. A Handbook accompanies the units, three copies being furnished with the purchase of the complete Filmset of 48 units, thereby permitting the use of the Handbook by more than one teacher in the school at the same time. It is an elaborate teacher's manual, suggesting the proper technique for the use of the units, and containing fourteen illustrations from each covering the highlights of the film content. These pictures are a valuable feature of the manual as the teacher can prepare the lesson in advance from them. Titles of supporting units are appended tg each unit. For further information and purchase price, write to Filmsets, Inc., 52 Vander- bilt Avenue, New York City. £071 Harmon Foundation Inc., 140 Nassau Street, New York City, announce the release of two motion pictures show- ing life in the Congo, filmed in Africa during the past year and a half, under the auspices of the Africa Motion Pic- ture Project, by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Garner: Children of Africa—2 reels, 16mm silent—Planned especially for children from six to twelve years of age, with titles and editorial approach adapted to these age groups by two children's publication editors, Miss Pearl Rosser of the .'\merican Baptist Publishing Society and Miss Nina Millen of the Missionary Education Movement. This film is also made to meet the require- ments of the school curriculum study of Congo peoples. The subject matter is concerned with the work, play, and home life of the African child. Each reel is a distinct unit and may be used alone. A Day in an African Village— 2 1-reel units, 16mm silent—Suitable for study in the later grades. Typical activities and routine matters of village life from sunrise to sunset are depicted, covering work, recreation, methods of prepar- ing food, building homes, etc. The Africa Motion Picture Project was sponsored by the Foreign Mission Boards of ten Protestant Churches, the Phelps Stokes Fund, the American Mis- sion to Lepers, and the Harmon Founda- tion. The expedition was unique in that all filming was done to meet definite subject requirements. The completion of these two subjects makes a total of five of the Project's films which are complete. The first three to be done were "Ngono and Her People," "The Story of Bamba," and "Song After Sorrow," all of which show mission activities against the background of African culture. Five more are yet to be edited. All of these films are being distributed through the Division of Visual Experiment of the Harmon Foundation. Garrison Film Distributors, Inc., 1600 Broadway, New York City, have just released: Men and Dust—2 reels, 16mm and 35mm sound—A factual film dealing with the silicosis and tuberculosis stricken Tri-State lead-and-zinc mining area (at the juncture of Kansas, Mis- souri and Oklahoma), based on a study by the Tri-State Survey Committee, Inc. The picture was filmed by Sheldon Dick, former photographer for the Fed- eral Security Bureau and commentary was directed by Lee Dick, producer and director of "School," the film on progressive education made for the American Film Center. J. V. D. Bucher, editor, also worked on "The City." Arthur C. Pillsbury, 640 Arlington Avenue, Berkeley, California, well- known lecturer, is offering his edu- cational films on plant life in natural color and sound. Four one-reel pic- tures are now ready, as follows : Story of Pollen— K picture of the pollen of the Spider Lily, Hybrobrising, and lapse-time pictures of the Hibiscus. The Flowers of Your Garden—In- cludes a microscopic picture of the Tradiscantia, and lapse-time of com- mon flowers. California Wild Flowers — Presents the wonderful Snow Plant, having 32 spikes. Flowers of Hawaii—Rare and won- derful flowers, including the Silver Sword, and lapse-time of the Night Blooming Cerus. These four subjects make a 1600-foot feature reel. Another such reel will be ready soon, also a lecture set of 2400 feet. Audio Film Libraries, 661 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, New Jersey, have added to their collection of films on timely subjects: Finland Fights—1 reel, 16mm sound, available for rental. This movie docu- ment shows all of the outstanding inci- dents that have gripped the world: evac- uation of civilians, Russian air attack on Helsinki, massing of Finnish defense, Finns ("estroying homes to hamper enemy, fightinr? on the Mannerheim Line, Reds landing troops by parachutes. Finnish ski troops in action, capture of Russian supplies and prisoners, dramatic scenes of Finland's heroes defending their home- land against overwhelming odds. Bailey Film Service, 1651 Cosmo Street, Hollywood, California, offer three vital new films among their "Educational Films of Merit:" Finland and Sweden—each Vi reel, silent—^Two timely subjects produced under the direction of Dr. William G. Campbell, Professor of Education, the University of Southern California; and edited by Miss Mary Clint Irion, for- merly Assistant Director of Visual Education, Los Angeles County Schools, now Educational Advisor for Bailey Film Service. Intimate scenes of cities, farms, people, and activities of these Scandinavian countries are presented. Produced only this last year the films are up to the minute in subject matter. Available for sale or rent in black-and- white or color. China—1 reel, silent—Produced by Dr. Herman H. Chrisman, formerly of Stanford University, and edited by Miss Irion. Not only are general views of China shown, but many close-ups of people at their daily work, types of dress, and the contrast between the old and the new. For sale or rent in 1 reel black-and-white, or Yz reel color. Also included in the latest Bailey releases are two prize-winning British (Continued on page 133)