The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Any individual willing to undertake preliminary organizational work for the formation of a local council need but communicate with president Reagan, secretary Dameron, or local organization committee chairman, Thurman White. If no other is making the same effort in the same area, the volunteer's name is sent to the headquarters of the constituent bodies so that their afifiliates in the area can be asked to extend local co-operation. The potential community services that can be rendered by the Film Council, locally, nationally and internationally, can hardly be envisaged. Already now we find the Lexington council a superlative vehicle for better inter-creed relations. Collaboration in film matters is sure to result in more constructive and harmonious relations in all the other fields that film can touch. There are very few that it doesn't. How the "Blue Grass Film Council" Was Formed A GOOD example of the simple procedures involved in the formation of an effective local film council can be taken verbatim from a letter sent out by D. T. Davis, as temporary chairman of a group of Kentuckians in the Lexington area. The first seven paragraphs of his invitation letter follow : "On May 3, a number of representatives from local organizations and educational institutions met at the University of Kentucky. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the formation of a Lexington Branch of the FTlm Council of America. "Miss Mary Reese Land, Assistant in the University Extension Department, spoke on the use of 16mm films as informational media during the war. We now more fully realize that films can be used for a better understanding of Tjurselves and other peoples and countries. • "I gave a brief summary of how the Film Council of America operates and of the many organizations that it aids, and of how a Lexington Film Council might help in our city. "We had a brief period of discussion, and the members present decided to postpone organization until we had the opportunity of hearing Mr. C. R. Reagan, national president of the Film Council of America. "We next met on May 14 to hear Mr. Reagan and to complete our organizational plans. Most of the people who attended our first meeting were present, in addition to representatives of other organizations and schools. "Mr. Reagan outlined for us in detail the purpose and functions of the Film Council of America; also, information regarding the organization of local Film Councils in Atlanta, Washington, New York, Cincinnati, Louisville, and other cities, and of how these groups serve their communities. "His address was followed by a discussion in which it was decided that Lexington should form a Film Council. It was moved and approved by those present that the Chairman appoint a nominating committee to meet and nominate officers; these nominations to be presented at the first official meeting of the Film Council. The Committee was also empowered to present a Constitution and By-Laws at the meeting." After the committees had had a chance to function, the first meeting was called. It was a 6:30 outdoor dinner, at $1.25 per plate, in the garden of Adath Israel Temple. The meal was served picnic style by the Rhodes Addition Home Makers Club, and the advance announcements stated that in case of rain the meeting would be held in the vestry. Two current documentary films on famine relief were shown. The speaker was Mr. M. D. Royse, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture field service. In the business session simple local by-laws were adopted, and the following officers were elected: President, Rabbi Albert Lewis; Vice President, Bruce Poundstone (University of Kentucky Experiment Station) ; Second Vice President, Miss Laura Marlin (University of Kentucky Library) ; Secretary-Treasurer, D. T. Davis. Four committees, each of four members, were elected — to deal with membership, program, publicity and arrangements respectively. On each there is a fine balance of school, church, community, government, industrial and commercial people. University campus, high, elementary and vocational schools, the YMCA and the utilities company. Department of Agriculture and Community Chest, Central Christian Church and Temple Adath Israel, projector, film and office equipment vendors, all share in active leadership. The "Blue Grass" pattern is one that can be followed in many communities. Film Council Hears Emily Taft Douglas AN outstanding feature of the NAVED convention was a public meeting held by the Film Council of America in the Grand Ballroom of Chicago's Continental Hotel. Principal speaker was Emily Taft Douglas, Illinois Congresswoman-at-Large. Mrs. Douglas spoke of her work in Washington, where she had become more than ever convinced of the great role of the motion picture as a means of mass communication, unique in its power to leap over language and other barriers of international understanding. Her own Library Service Extension Bill, which provides for federal grants for such extension work, and for state-matched federal funds, has the backing of the American Library Association and similar groups. Mrs. Douglas paid tribute to the work that can be done by community groups like the local Film Councils. Each state will determine the extent, character and contents of its library extension services, when her bill is passed, and it will be up to interested citizen groups like the Film Council to influence the program of their own state. In Canada, it was pointed out, both the "bookmobile" and the mass circulation of informational films are recognized as everyday educational procedures. C. R. Reagan, president of the Film Council of America presided. Other speakers included Chester Lindstrom (U. S. Department of Agriculture), Arch Mercey (OWMR), and Thurman White (University of Oklahoma). Mr. White spoke in some detail on organizational routines and activities of a local film council. Wm. F. Kruse, temporary chairman of the Chicago Film Council, stressed the importance of complementing and co-ordinating rather than competing with existing film activities. In Chicago there are already such activities conducted by the Film Workshop, church bodies, schools, libraries, Red Cross, American Medical Association and similar professional centers. Park District, women's clubs, trade unions, fraternal organizations and many more. Each has much to give to a community film council, as well as something to gain by active participation.