The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Page 350 The Educational Screen NEW FILMS OF THE MONTH As They Look to A Teacher Committee L. C. LARSON, Editor Instructor in School of Education Consultant in Audio-Visual Aids Indiana University, Bloomington Grain That Built a Hemisphere (Office of Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. 444 Madi- son Avenue, New York) 10 minutes. 16mm. sound, color. Pro- duced by Walt Disney and his staff. Apply to distributor for rental source and terms governing purchase. This Walt Disney cartoon tells the story of what corn has meant to civilization. It traces the evolution of corn and shows that unequivocal conclusions concerning the origin of corn, even though based upon the study of archaeological evidence and botanical relationships, cannot be formulated. The film theorizes that Indian corn is generally believed to be a native of the warmer parts of .America where it was cultivated by the aborigines before the discovery by Columbus. The Indian, intent upon his search for game, is first shown ream- ing the wildlands unmindful of the presence of a sort of corn. His subsequent discovery of corn contributes to the civiliza- tion of America. The film shows how the civilization of the Mayas and Aztecs revolved around the cultivation of corn with special emphasis upon their careful selection of seed, erection of temples to the corn god, and even sacrifice of human life in an attempt to secure an abundant crop. The film describes the growth and development of corn from the time it grew wild on the high slopes of mountains to the present day cultivation of hybrid corn, by the process of in- breeding for several generations to develop pure lines and then crossing unrelated inbred lines. Concluding scenes of the film substantiate the statement that corn is America's most important crop.. A forecast of the future predicts such further uses of corn as high octane gasoline and plastics. Committee Appraisal: An interesting example of the use of the animated cartoon to provide pictorial experience needed to enchance the understanding of concepts included in courses of study. There are, however, instances in the film when Disney relies heavily on the narrator for the presentation of ideas necessary to achieve the objective of the film. It should be valuable in geography, agriculture, economics and history in the study and discussion of the history of corn with special emphasis upon its importance to civilization, and methods of selective inbreeding and crossbreeding. The Riiby Throated Hummingbird (Coronet Productions, Glenview, Illinois) 11 minutes, 16mm. sound. Purchase price $50, black and white; $75, color. Apply to producer for rental sources. The film shows the nesting habits, the hatching of the young, and the feeding habits of the hummingbird. Hummingbirds are attracted to the twenty-five vials scattered around the veranda 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 and then by means of close-up photography the distinguishing characteristics of the bird are shown. The tubular tongue is extended and liquid sucked into the throat as the bird, in this instance, visits the vials; in normal conditions the nectar is obtained from flowers. The small nest which is usually located in trees along a woodland trail is shown. The two (never more) eggs which the female alone incubates are shown. The small size of a baby hummingbird is conveyed by placing it in a teaspoon. To feed her young, which she does at least every half hour, the mother bird inserts her tongue in the throat of the young bird and squirts it full of nectar. In the fall the hummingbird leaves for winter quarters in Central America. Committee Appraisal: Color and close-up photography are used to an advantage to depict the characteristics and habits of the hummingbird. Recommended for use by groups on all levels interested in or studying the hummingbird. Soldiers of the Soil (E. I. du Pont de Nemours, Wilmington, Delaware) 40 minutes, 16mm. sound. Produced by Pine-Thomas Productions for du Pont. Rental free from sponsor. "Soldiers of the Soil," a tribute to the farmers of America— Past, Present, Future—presents through the thumb-nail bi- ograph of the Landis family the importance of agriculture to the war effort. John, the younger son, who has been deferred to work on the farm, is called from the tractor to greet Jiis brother, David, who has just returned from active service. Joyous anticipation freezes into horror as John dashes up to David and discovers the terrible truth—David is blind. He can see only through the eyes of Smitty, his seeing-eye dog. At the family celebration which is held in honor of David's return, jubilant glee is subdued by inward grief. Later in the company of his young nephew, David leaves the table "to feel" Poochy's pups. John explains to his family that he feels com- pelled to enlist. David, who has returned to the dining room and stands unobserved in the doorway, hears John's declara- tion. He registers no verbal objection, but one can discern that he does not approve. On Sunday the entire family, with the exception of John, leave to go to church to hear David who has been invited by the minister to speak. After the family has left, John decides that he should go. He enters the church without David's know- ing it. David tells the congregation that he has chosen to answer a question which is confronting not only his brother, John, but others engaged in agriculture, "Where do I belong in this great world crisis ?" .\s he tells the story of his family, the film shows the incidents. David's story follows the Landis family through years of hard work and sacrifice, the eldest brother's return from World War 1 and entry into business, the death of a baby sister who might have been saved had the family had a means of communicating with the doctor, and John's decision to stay at home and help farm in order that David might go to college. Mechanical equipment increases their manpower; science improves their soil, crops, and stock; elec- tricity revolutionizes both the home and the farm. John marries but remains at home and continues to devote his best thought and effort to the farm. David, in the mean- while, is called from his professorship to serve in the army. David then points out to the congregation that this is the story not only of the Landis family but thousands of American families. Drawing upon his experiences as a soldier, he force- fully and convincingly concludes that the greatest service that all young men like John can render their country is to remain (Contintted on page 352)