The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Academy Films A ferry boat on the "Father of Waters" near Baton Rouge — pictured in the film "Mississippi River — Lower River." Committee Appraisal: The second of two films on this subject, this film gives a very informative and interesting overview of the significance of the Mississippi River as an avenue of transportation and a means of water drainage for the entire Midwest. Excellent color photography, maps, and diagrams and very clearly presented narration add to its effectiveness for all age levels from intermediate to adult. It is especially recommended for use in elementary, junior high, and senior high school geography courses. Its companion film, Mississippi River — Upper River, covers the physical and hum^^n geography of the river from its source to St. Louis, Missouri. Human Growth (E. C. Brown Trust, University of Oregon Medical School, Marquam Hill Road, Portland 1, Oregon) 19 minutes, 16mm, sound, color. 1947. Accompanied by 20 2" x 2" colored slides. $170. Discussion Guide available. Description of Contents: Beginning with teen-age boys' and girls' interest in growing up, the film shows the life processes of development. A beginning home sequence shows briefly a father, a mother, and their adolescent son and daughter, Josie and George, discussing the problem of growth and development of boys and girls. A transition from the home to the classroom shows Josie telling her classmates what to look for in the motion picture they are about to see. After Josie and the student committee have prepared the class, Miss Baker, the teacher, also gives the class additional suggestions and questions. The room is darkened, and a member of the class shows the film entitled Human Crnvlh. The film, through highly stylized original art animation, shows the processes of growth and reproduction. The differences between boys and girls in rate of physical and sexual maturity, the glands which control physical and sexual activity, the male and female se.x organs, menstruation, fertilization, pregnancy, and birth are discussed. As the film ends, the lights come on in the classroom and reveal the students' various reactions to the film Questions from the pupils are answered by Miss Baker, who uses a slide from the coordinated set of slides. Other questions for future discussion are raised. The film concludes by Miss Baker's moving beyond her class and inviting the film audience to discuss any questions which the motion picture might have raised. Committee Appraisal: Human Crozi'th is an educational film highly recommended for use in classes in biology, health, home-making, and related areas in grades six to nine. In addition to its primary usefulness on the above levels, it should also prove useful in college courses in teacher training, educational and genetic psychology, health education, child care, and home-making, as well as such adult study groups as the P.T.A. which discuss child psychology, family life education, and mental and social hygiene. Through a straightforward and unemotional treatment of the processes oi growth and reproduction, the film should serve the following purposes: (1) to provide information on human growth. (2) to demonstrate how sex education can be handled effectiv"ly, and (3) to show a desirable teacher-pupil relationship. The previewing committee commented favorably upon the finesse and subtlety with which such questions as body changes during grow fh and the processes of fertilization were handled. Where Will You Hide? (Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, Inc., 207 South Green Street, Chicago^ 7, — Illinois) 20 minutes, 16mm, sound, color. 1948. Produced by Audiographic Institute. $195 less 10% educational discount. Discussion Guide available. Description of Contents: The film deals with the social implications of atomic energy. Beginning with the assumption that there will be a World War III, the film proceeds to show how terrible such a scientific war will be. Lips babbling indistinguishable phrases symbolize the lip service that many people everywhere are giving to the cause of peace and the development of one world. Coffins with flags of the various nations holding the war dead symbolize the responsibility of the audience to coordinate efforts to eliminate war. The film refers the problem of i;eace to every person through picturing a war involving high-speed atomic fission, germ warfare, bacteriological destruction, radio-active particles, and jet-propelled projectiles. A picture of Einstein surrounded by the formula E=M C-, which led to the invention of the atomic bomb, is accompanied by Einstein's idea that the atomic bomb will actually kill one out of three people and will physically harm another one out of three. The likelihood of the bomb's becoming bigger, cheaper, and more widely used presents a real threat. The film proceeds to show that the atomic bomb is no secret and that the cost of defending American knowledge of atomic energy and the country itself against atomic warfare is impracticable and impossible. The film ends with a pointing finger moving from one side of the audience to the other and asks the question of whether or not children will be safe "where you try to hide." Committee Appraisal: Rich symbolization, effective use of three narrators, dynamic presentation of problems without offering solutions, except through implication, vivid color, and excellent photography combine to make Where Will You Hide? a hard-hitting film for groups from high school age to adulthood. Groups dealing with the problems of democracy and international cooperation Encyclopaedia Britannica Filma Atomic warfare — or one people, one law, and peace for all? Such is the problem posed in the hard-hitting Film "Where Will You Hide?" September, 1948 337