The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

January, 1943 cAfohi niming the African Battlelront From the day of tlie attack at El Alamein, the British army film and photographic unit has been in a forward position with the troops. One of their officers has returned to Britain with 20,000 feet of film. This material is being edited into a complete story of the Eighth Army's successful African campaign, which will be shown to the public. The officer who carried the film home explained his and his colleagues' work in a broadcast talk. The fol- lowing excerpts indicate the handicaps and risks which these photographers face. "When the last big show started, we had at least one team of camera men and photographers with each di- vision of the attacking forces. They had orders to photograph the battle, as they saw it, and to follow forward with the advancing troops. This is putting it rather modestly, because in fact what happened in many cases was that our team took whatever oppor- tunities they could to get in front of the frontlines. so that they could get pictures of our men coming forward to the attack. "On a job of this kind it is left to each individual team to get the most vivid pictures of the action they are watching. You tnay think that this is not too diffi- cult to decide. "But it is not quite so easy as that, because the desert is a devilishly difficult place to illustrate. With no vantage points for the camera, the heat mirage comes up from the ground and distorts the sharp image of the object, and so makes decent photography impossible, at anything more than a mile's distance. When the sun is down it is completely blinding. There are no shadows, no trees, no mountains, nothing but scrubby camel thorn, and very often a dust haze to make it even more difficult. "The Army film and photographic units were travel- ing in American jeeps or trucks, keeping up with the attack, and I was constantly visiting them to see how they were getting on and what material they were getting. Every day the reels and negatives would go back to battle headquarters to be developed at the base. I can assure you that these chaps were as keen on their job as the fighting men, and ran exactly the same risks." With the U. S. Forces • We learn from Thurman White, Director of Visual Education, University of Oklahoma, Norman, that Boyd Gunning, who had been Head of that Department for many years, is now an Artillery Officer overseas. • Mr. James W. Brown, formerly Supervisor of Audio- Visual Education. State Department of Education, Richmond, Virginia, resigned his position last sum- mer to accept a commission in the United States Navy. • Orton H. Hicks, on leave of absence from Walter O. Gutlohn, Inc., has been commissioned a major in the Special branch of the U. S. Army, and will handle motion picture distribution for overseas exhibition. He will remain in New York. Page 31 Whether you seek EDUCATION or ENTERTAINMENT you will find that the VISUAL way is the BEST way! INCREASE your knowledge of world affairs and home affairs; enjoy the thrills of your favorite sport in season and out of season; "See America" and travel to the four corners of the world; ... or see Hollywood's greatest stars in their greatest pictures, just as they are shown on the screens of America's theatresi Here are some of the outstanding dramatic, musical, and comedy successes of the year, pro- nounced by the leading motion picture critics as "Pictures You Must Not Miss!" ABBOTT & COSTELLO —th« comedy team voted by the nation's picture fans as the Number I Attraction ... in two of their funniest pictures— "KEEP 'EM FLYING" —a story of the two nit-wits who get tangled up with the air corps, bringing to the screen some of the most thrilling and spectacular air shots ever filmed and— "RIDE 'EM COWBOY" —a picture which puts these ace comedians on horses, but can't keep 'em there. A hilarious comedy featuring an all star cast of Hollywood beauties. "WHArS COOKIN'" Here is one of the liveliest musi- cal comedies of the year, with an all star cast, featuring {he de- lighHul little song-brd GLORIA JEAN. It's one for the hep<ats —young and old. Deanna Durbin Charles Laughfon in "IT STARTED WITH EVE" Two great stars in one of the finest comedies of the year. "BROADWAY" George Raft at his best ... in the role of a Broadway hoofer during the prohibition days. Ac- tion, pathos and romance. "BUTCH MINDS THE BABY" The delightful Damon Runyon story put on the screen with Bred Crawford as Butch. T^e critics call this a "must* picture. "THE SPOILERS" Here is the picture that made motion picture history with the dramatic fight between John Wayne and Randolph Scott. Mar- lene Dietrich is also starred. "SABOTEUR" Here is Alfred Hitchcock, master of suspense, at his best. It is a story of what could be happen- ing in your town today. Burma Convoy Flying Cadets—Road Agent Three action-adventure pictures with top flight start, each of which is guaranteed to provide you and your friends with a glori- ous evening of entertainment. We are also proud to make available to you at this time, two feature productions. "CAVALCADE OF AVIATION" "MENACE ofthe RISING SUN" These two featuretteswere actually billed as features in the finest theatres of America. They are timely, thrilling, spectacular and authentic. UNIVERSAL PICTURES COMPANY, INC. Rockefeller Center New York, N. Y. CIRCLE 7-7100