The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

October, 1943 Page 319 running time of two minutes each. Another recent series of four sound film strips cover "Farm Safety." Other National Safety Council slide films which are especially important in con- nection with our war production pro- gram, are the following: "Safe All .Around"—how war work- ers can avoid accident hazards in and about the home; "No Time for Goo- fers"—how to prevent off-the-job traffic accidents; "Safely We Work"— designed to show railroad workers how they can avoid accidents on the job; "Women and Machines"—part women can play in reducing industrial accidents; and "Safety for Defense"— common causes of industrial accidents. The Sound-Health-Service slide films produced by Commercial Films, Inc., 1800 East 30th St., Cleveland, Ohio, include messages on the sub- ject of "Take Care of Yourself," a general health film addressed to all workers; "The Cold Bug," a film stressing the fact that 250,000,000 lay- oflfs each year in industrial plants of America are due to common colds; "Foods Keeps You Fit," bringing the subject of nutrition down to the ABC level; one on mental health, "Stay on the Beam," and "To the Women," de- signed to improve the health of wo- men, and cut absenteeism. Motion Pictures—Not for Theatres (Continued from page 297) the Drama Society and the Mothers' Club. Saturday morning, since the days when Mrs. Elizabeth Richey Dessez attracted the attention of George Kleine by her promotion of such enterprises, has long been rather a profitable occasion for so- called "children's matinees." Originally designed as programs for the wholesome stimulation of juveniie character and mind, they now consist in the main of comic strip excitements in over-liberal doses and with little evidence of studied arrangement. To check the further re- generation of the constructive idea, ad- mirable work has been and is being done year after year by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures from its headquarters offices in New York, long under supervision of the late Wilton Barrett, e.xecutive secre- tary. This service, of course, is in ad- dition to the Board's basic activity of placing its seal of ajiproval upon the neWi theatrical films which meet its liberal standards, and which are sub- mitted voluntarily by the producers for the purpose. It was inevitable that the commercial advantages of Saturday morning mat- inees becoming so increasingly apparent with the shortening labor week and ad- ded public leisure, should stir projects beyond the exploitation of mere juvenile interest. The odd enterprise now to be mentioned surely will not be the last effort in its peculiar direction. It was organized in New York City about Jan- uary, 1933. as the Womans' Screen Guild. The backer was Sportsman Brigham, a wealthy man who had wished to play with the fascination of films. The idea was to use theatres in the mornings to show "women's interest" motion pic- tures, mainly "in cooperation with" national advertisers. Emily Post, the etiquette authority, was general super- visor. Frank K. Speidell, then recently of Visugi«phic. had an important place in production. The first picture was be- gun in the Ideal Studio, in Weehawken, New Jersey, atop the Palisades across from Manhattan. It was nearly com- pleted when Brigham suddenly tired of incidental annoyances, stopped every- thing, threw the entire project into re- ceivership and withdrew—about only seven months from the date of incorpora- tion. Sponsored Films Th.\t aforesaid rather astonishing, fan- tastic incident, in which an apparently large enterprise had a life span of only winter to summer, came and went so quickly that few persons were aware of its existence. Yet, in it may have been the germ of the idea which ulti- mately will solve that moot question concerning advertising films in theatres. From time to time in these pages that subject has recurred since reference was made to the first industrials, and the reader may have observed that, resemb- ling the discussion of non-theatrical com- petition, it waxes and wanes. In certain periods, at irregular intervals, ad films in theatres have been prevalent; at other times they have been sharply curtailed, and occasionally have been almost en- tirely driven out. The determining fac- tor has been tlie temper of the audience, whether the spectators resented them or not. At bottom of the system, so far as exhibitors and advertisers are con- cerned, is a probability that the spec- tators do resent them. (To b* Centlnued) Current Film News (Concluded from paye 316) to increase production of steel for the armed forces. Many new important plants and manufacturing scenes are pictured. There are views of the construction of naval auxiliary vessels, tank landing craft, cargo ships and destroyers, introduced by Brennan in his role of veteran steel- maker. He also tells about the intensi- fied training program for new employees carried on by U. S. Steel to aid in solv- ing the manpower problem. ■ Nu-Art Films, Inc., 145 W. 45th St., New York City, announce two new patriotic releases in 16mm sound: Old Flag—1 reel—a dramatic narra- tion dedicated to the Flag of the United States, with appropriate historical views interpreting its outstanding significance to all .Americans. Let Freedom Ring —1 reel—a dramatic presentation of the American Bill of Rights with familiar scenes taken from American history and everyday life. ■ Father Hubbard Educational Films, 188 W. Randolph St., Chicago, report several new films which portray our armed forces and industry at war. At present Father Hubbard is cooperating with the United States .Armed Forces in morale, recreational and intelligence work in Alaska. Some inspiring trailers on the army, navy and war industries are available now. Below are three ex- amples of the subjects treated in the newest films, each in one reel: Courageous Australia —the home of many American fighting men today— reveals little-known facts about its activities and the beauty of this smallest of continents. Guardians of the Sea —the United States Coast Guard in action, pro- tecting the seas. Spectacular and heroic rescues are portrayed. Men of West Point —showing the in- tensive and constructive training which men receive at this institution. General Douglas MacArthur gives the Graduation Address. ■ Post Pictures Corporation, 723 Seventh .Avenue, New York City, has added two more Hal Roach features to its growing list of 16mm sound film releases. They are: Captain Caution, with \'ictor Ma- ture, Leo Carillo and Bruce Cabot—an action-filled adventure production film- ed from the novel by Kenneth Roberts, which enfolds against the background of the War of 1812, when many excit- ing battles were fought bitterly on the open seas. Saps at Sea — a laugh-filled comedy featuring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, which begins with dafty doings in a horn-manufacturing plant and then shifts to a nautical background with the two embarked on a hilarious sea voyage. ■ British Information Services, 360 North Michigan .Ave., report the avail- ability of a new 16mm sound film, en- titled : ABCA —IS minutes running time. The initials stand for "The -Army of Current Affairs" which was started as an experi- ment in 1941 and has since become an integral part of the training of everj- British soldier. The film tells why and how ABCA began, shows some of the weekly meetings in full swing, and the topics discussed—which are in one of two categories, either War, i.e., general mili. tary intelligence from the theatres of op- eration, or Current Events, which can vary from why Britain is at war with Germany to a discussion of "The Bever- idge Report" or "The Chungking Angle." It reveals the training given the officers who conduct the talks, with emphasis on their function as chairman and not lec- turer. The film can be obtained for showing at a nominal service charge, from the offices of British Information Services in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington, or any British Consulate.