The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Page 204 The Educational Screen Cuziznt \jiLm ^yVioJi ■ Castle Films Inc., 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, announce that the first 8mm. and I6mm. motion pic- tures showing Americans actually in battle action against the Japanese are now available. U. S. Navy Blasts Marshall Islands —the film record of America's surprise descent upon the Jap-mandated group of islands, depicts Uncle Sam giving back his first instalment for Nippon's treachery at Pearl Harbor. Prepara- tions for the assault are shown as the Eastern fleet ploughs the Pacific toward The attack on the Marshall Islands. battle. Planes, bombs, guns, munitions, everything is made ready for instant use as soon as position is reached within firing range. Salvo after salvo blazes from many batteries, and the deadly ac- curate gunmanship of Yankee sailors is seen as great explosions occur on shore. An enemy cruiser and aircraft carrier are seen hit and sinking, and the filming of aerial combat has never been equalled. One Jap pilot, his plane damaged, attempts to land on an Ameri- can carrier, but he is met with a bar- rage of fire, and, a mass of flames, the plane swerves into the ocean. The pre- cision, speed and coolness of American gunners in the thick of the fight is an inspiring sight. Some of the slight damage that was done to American vessels is shown, but the picture leaves no doubt that the bases from which Japan attacked Wake Island, and a great many Jap ships and planes were utterly destroyed. The film is pro- curable at photographic dealers in five sizes and lengths. MacArthur—America's First Soldier, and Manila Bombed! is the latest timely movie on important current events to come from Castle Films. Combining two closely related subjects in one reel, this film presents a screen symposium of General MacArthur's career right up to scenes .-bowing him in Manila after the planes oi Japan had blasted futilely at his stalwart troops and before his sensational trek to Australia. On the same reel are scenes shot as Manila burned, film only recently re- leased by the U.S. .Army. Oil tanks, are shown exploding, buildings in the busi- ness section aflame, public structures and dwellings reduced to shambles by the terrific onslaught of Jap bombers. A short motion picture trailer, long enough to accommodate the singing of the National Anthem, has been pro- duced by Castle Films in both sound and silent versions. Super-imposed words of the song appear on all editions which include three; two in 16mm, sound and silent, and one in 8mm. The Star Spangled Banner is in de- mand for cutting into existent film for use in homes, schools and in other places where community singing is in order. A stirring pictorial procession, symbolic of patriotism, occupies the screen during the singing. ■ Walter O. Gutlohn, Inc., 25 W. 45th St., New York City, is now distri- buting on an exclusive basis the widely acclaimed motion picture entitled: The Eternal Gift—10 reels, 16mm. sound — produced under the supervision of the Perpetual Novena in honor of our Sorrowful Mother. This picture, two years in the making, records for the first time, a solemn Catholic High Mass, which is portrayed with great clarity and impressiveness. The Right Rev. Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen interprets the Latin prayers and the symbolism Celebration of a solemn High Mass. of the Mass, and the Rev. James R. Keane, O.S.M. acts as celebrant of the Mass. The hymns and prayers of the Mass are sung by the Schola Cantorium and a choir of about fifty Gregorian Chanters, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing the musical score. The film is suitable for showing to both Catholics and non-Catholics. Moonlight Sonata—7 reels—featuring the only screen appearance of the great pianist, Ignace Jan Paderewski, is an- other new Gutlohn release in 16mm. Mu- sic, such as is seldom heard on the screen, provides a memorable thrill as the maestro plays several immortal clas- sics including Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" and his own "Minuet in G Major." The story blends music and romance into delightful entertainment. The cast includes Charles Farrell, Marie Tempest and Barbara Greene. ■ Bell & Howell Company, 1801 Larchmont Ave., Chicago, report the availability of an instructive reel of current significance, presenting the story of the Hawaiian Islands of today. Sugar Flumes in Hawaii. The Real Hawaii—1 reel, 16mm sound, in color or black and white—deals with the island's defenses, and industries in detail. It portrays battleships and sold- iers, then sugar and pineapples. The film also covers population composition and inter-relationships, food supply, natural wonders, and life of original native people. ■ Brandon Films, Inc., 1600 Broadway, New York City, has the following new full length documentary film on Russia ready for daily rentals and special long time leases: One Day in Soviet Russia—running time 55 minutes—written and narrated by Quentin Reynolds, American ace re- porter and Official Press .-Kttache at the historic Mo.scow Three Power Confer- ence. The film was edited in England by Sidney Cole from dramatic documen- tary material filmed simultaneously by ninety-seven cameramen throughout the vast areas of Russia, and presents a com- plete picture of life in Soviet Russia. It is said to be a stirring report of the heroic people of the nation that has smashed the myth of Nazi invincibility. Brandon Films is also releasing the defense and war films issued by the Netherlands Government, in addition to those they handle for China ani the USSR. The first from Holland is: High Stakes in the East—a 1-reel 16mm sound film in Kodachrome filmed in Java, edited by John Ferno and com- mentary written by Irving Jacoby. The film presnts a concrete analysis of the economy of this island, its importance to the United Nations, reasons for Jap- anese invasion, and offers the hope that it will be retrieved by the United Nations. (.Concluded on page 206)