The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Page 260 The Educational Screen NEW FILMS OF THE MONTH As They Look to A Teacher Committee Conducted by L. C, LARSON Instructor in School of Education Consultant in Audio-Visual Aids Indiana University, Bloomington Far Western States (Erpi Classroom Films, Inc., 1841 Broadway, New York City) 11 minutes, 16mm sound. Sale price $50.00 less 10% educational discount. Apply to producer for rental sources. Discussion guide available. In this film relief maps show that the Far Western states, divided roughly into the Pacific Northwest and Southwest, vary greatly as to climate, rainfall, surface, people, products, and occupations. Scenes of Hollywood studios typify the modernity of the Far West while scenes of the giant se- quoias remind one of the age of the region. To emphasize further the contrasts in this region, the film shows Mt. Whitney, highest point in the United States, and Death Valley, less than eighty miles away, the lowest point in our country. Animated maps point up the chief population centers of the Far West and close-ups of individuals reveal the different racial stocks in this region. After presenting an all-over view of the region, the film in successive sequences treats the chief assets of the Pacific North and the Southwest. The first deals with mining. Maps show where the different mineral deposits are located. Scenes of Sutter's Fort, of ghost towns, and of the old prospectors panning gold are shown as a contrast to the modern—though less romantic—methods of placer mining. The second presents the forest of oil derricks in southwest California. This sequence concludes with a map showing the products in which California ranks first or very high. The third sequence presents the lumbering industry of the Pacific Northwest. Again a map is used to explain the relation between the mountains and the rainfall in the dis- tribution of timber lands. Diagrams and maps show that the Northwest leads in the production of apples, wheat, and fish while the Southwest produces more tropical fruits and vegetables. Diagrams indicate the location of the Inland Empire, the San Joaquin Valley, and the Imperial Valley. To provide irrigation for the dry lands and to make electricity as cheap as possible, huge dams have been constructed. Grand Coulee Dam in Washington is an example. The Far West is also using this cheap hydro-electric power to build its own manufac- turing and processing plants. As a conclusion, the film presents two maps: one sum- marizes the wealth of the Far West by showing the many products; the other, an animated map, illustrates the This monthly page of reviews is conducted for the benefit of educational film producers and users alike. The comments and criticisms of both are cordially invited. Producers wishing to have new films reviewed on this page should write L. C. Larson, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, giving details as to length, content, date on which the film was issued, basis of availability, prices, producer, and distributor. They will be informed of the first open date when the Teacher Committee will review the films. The only cost to producers for the service is the cost of transporting the prints to and from Bloomington. This Cost Must Be Borne By The Producers. Assisted by CAROLYN GUSS and VIOLET COTTINGHAM Extension Division Indiana University, Bloomington products that all regions exchange, thereby emphasizing the interdependence of all six geographical and social regions of the United States. Committee Appraisal: One of a series of six films which deal with the geographically and culturally related regions of the United States. The film gives a good over-all picture of the natural, industrial, and human resources of the Far Western States. Teachers will find the series to be excellent films for use in classes in geography and social studies. South of the Border (Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, 444 Madison Avenue, New York City) 40 minutes, 16mm. sound, kodachrome. Produced by Walt Disney and his staff. Apply to distributor for a list of depositories and terms governing purchase of prints. The film follows Walt Disney and his crew on a tour of South and Central America. Their impressions and ex- periences as they travelled from country to country are recorded through live action and cartoons. Their first stop was Brazil's beautiful capital, where Joe Carioca, the parrot who is a figure of Brazilian comedy, joined the other Disney creations. From there, they went to Montevideo and then to Buenos Aires, where they took time off to go to an estancia for a barbecue and an opportunity to see some of the native Argentine dances. They flew over the Andes to Santiago, Chile, and from there up the west coast through Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela. During all this, they found enough material for numerous drawings, sketches and cartoons. Amusing sequences show Donald Duck at Lake Titicaca and Pluto in the Argentine, where he learns the in- tricacies of a gaucho's wardrobe. After a visit to Mexico the film ends with bewildered customs officials looking through Indian blankets, sketches, pottery, silver, rugs, and scores of other souvenirs which were brought up from the countries "South of the Border." Committee Appraisal: The film is essentially a Walt Disney travelogue which illustrates his ability to create animated cartoons that portray the salient factors of a situation. It heightens an understanding of an appreciation for the people and customs of South America. The film is excellent for art classes and general assembly programs both on the elementary and high school level and as an entertainment feature for adult social, cultural, and business groups. Food—Weapon of Conquest (Educational Film Library Association, 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, 20, New York) 20 minutes, 16mm. sound Sale price $35. Apply to E. F. L. A. for rental sources. Discussion guide available. Opening scenes contrast American housewives carefully selecting proper foods from well-stocked grocery shelves with starving Europeans suffering in bread lines for the meager dole which might fall their lot. Allied leaders are shown discussing the problem of providing for an equitable distribution of food among the Allies. Cargo ships export food-stuffs from America to Russia and Britain. In addition to the fact that America must contribute to providing food for other countries, the film emphasizes that Americans must be well nourished and that huge fields of Canadian {Contiyiued on page 262)