The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

WILLIAM S. HOCKMAN, Editor, 1616 Marlowe Avenue, Lakewood 7, Ohio Youth Previews a Film iO ECENTLY, I asked my high-school young people, '^\ meeting Sunday nights, to preview and evaluate a film. They liked the idea. It was a reversal of the usual procedure. The film to he presented was Quest jor Tomorrozv, produced hy RKO for F'ilm Forvnn Foundation (127 E. 12th St., Spokane 10, Wash.) and dealing with the church, the UN and the outlook for peace. The evening meeting of this group was opened by a brief devotional service. Then the chairman called upon me to present the procedure and the film. I explained our objective. First, I wanted them to decide if this was a film which should he recommended for use with other groups of young people, in and out of church. Second, I wanted their reactions to specific details within the film, both negative and positive. The projector was operated by one of their own number, and I sat where I could observe the faces of the young people as they saw the film. It held the attention of the group all the way through, and the quality of this attention seemed of t lie highest order. Because I wanted to be free to set down as quickly as possible the actual statements as they were made, I asked one of the older boys, with some skill in chairing a group, to preside over the discussion. As it came oflf, both objectives were considered at the .same time. For our purposes here, I shall separate the reactions of the group, taking up the reactions to specific content first. Here they are, strung along with three dots marking the end of one individual's remarks : A lot of problem.s, but no solutions. I thought we were to get some of the answers . . . No, I was not expecting ready-made answers. Are they not for us to think out? ... I think the flashbacks were fine, helping us to remember what we never did know too well ... I did not like the idea of the film that the UN might turn out like the League of Nations . . . Neither did I ; no one knows how the UN will turn out . . . That's one trouble! The U. S. has just about turned the UN out! (Laughter) I mean it! Our diplomats have not been willing to nut all their eggs into that basket. It is high time that we take our membership seriously. (Applause) ... ■'*; I wish the film had shown more of the accomplishments oi the UN . . . How many can you name? . . . Not very many; that's why I think it should have told us about some of the tilings the UN has done. The average young person does not know — unless he has been on a school debate or something ... I agree, negative stuff is not very inspiring . . . (Chairman: "But Mr. liocknian said at the beginning this film was made to stimulate discussion. If it gave the answers, we might resent them.") It would have been a better film, in my judgment, if it had given the pros and the cons in a more clear-cut way . . .The intimation of the film that we are drifting into World War III bothers me. I don't believe that we are. Do you? . . . Yes, we are, and I think that it's the adults who should see this film. There's no use showing it to young people. They don't declare war . . . That's true, neither have we made peace ! This kind of a film can help stir up the young people. I'm for the film as it is . . . So am I, but it's the non-church people who should see the film. Church people are doing more than all the others combined to heal a broken world. It should be shown in the high schools . . . Absolutely, it's better than a lot of the junk we have to look at! (Chairman: "I see the choir director in the back of the room. Our time is about up. De we recommend the film? We must give Mr. Hockman some answer to that.) No ! It's too negative. I would not recommend it . . . That's the point. Do we reconmiend it to other young people's groups? That's all we have to consider . . . I'm for the film. It makes you think. That's more important than cut-and-dried answers. Let the group using the film think out the answers ... I move we recommend the film ... I second the motion . . . One question first : To church and non-church groups of young people alike? What about the adults? ... I mean all three — I'll include Russia, even. (Laughter) (Chairman: "Further comments? All in favor? All opposed? The film is recommended. Mr. Hockman. you have your answer. I was just thinking how silly it would have been for us not to recommend this film after we have used up ten minutes of the youth choir's rehearsal time! Thanks, all. for a good discussion.") In the voting. 21 of the 32 present voted to recommend the film. Some of those opposed came to me to explain why they had not voted for the film. The gist of their objection was that it would take a "super" discussion leader to get anywhere with the film. With this I agreed, asking if the hour we had given to the film had not been quite worthwhile, and pointing out, further, that we had not been under extraordinary leadership in this session, Wally being one of their own number with some experience in public speaking, debate and dramatics. I called to their attention, too, that there is a utilization guide with the film which suggests careful preparation for its use. What do I think? Several things, (a) There is something to the idea that the film is too negative. I think it could have been less so and still just as provocative, (b) The film could have made more of the accomplishments of the UX. Who said that war was made by capitals; peace by the peoples? (c) The film does not satisfactorily visualize its message, depending 260 EducaHonal Screen