Educational screen & audio-visual guide (c1956-1971])

There Was a Widmo. Biblical parables in a modern setting, both with pretty fair general qualities but not outstanding. Very useful, however, and recommended for a Sermons-On-Film Sunday evening series. General Films, Inc. (Box 601, Princeton, N. J.) has photographed the morality play, Everyman, into a 40minute sound and color film of acceptable qualities only. Pioneering in this field is worthwhile and a more polished product can be expected from these people in the future. Mr. Hilliard is to be commended for this beginning. • How the Animals Discovered Christmas, a 13-minute color animation film by Coronet, is just the thing for your Primary or Junior Christmas party. It will take the children to mystical Cozy Valley, where, on the night before Christmas, not a creature was stirring, except Old Doc Owl. What he saw was a plenty as the excitement spread, and every animal wanted to help. Imaginative, lovely, entertaining through the Sixth Grade. Recommended for use in non-religious setting, as at a party. • Aiexark-Norsim's (156 N. Arden Blvd., Los Angeles 4) The Stoiy of Joseph: Part I (28 frames); Jeremiah (35): and. The Story of Ruth (33) are good and useful filmstrips, with the artwork in full color showing considerable improvement in composition (less crowding) and color-balance (less harsh red) over some prior productions. The printed scripts have developed a better English style, casting the Biblical account into a more relaxed prose, especially in Ruth. The artist, too, seems to be making a better selection of the incidents and action to be pictured. While this reviewer knows full well that we are in the literalistic phase in our AV treatment of Biblical material, it seems to him that the time has come for giving some regard to the implications and obligations of historical and literary criticism. Certainly we must come to it gradually, but let's not be too shy. Sooner or later we must read, "The story of Ruth, as set forth by a great pamphleteer against Hebrew racial exclusiveness"; and "The story of Joseph as found in a certain stratum of Hebrew literature." Neither Jew nor modern Protestant may want to face the implications of literary and historical criticism, but in the opinion of this reviewer the producers better start sticking their toes into this chilly water right away. Shivering in indecision is no solution. • The World That Needed Jesus highlights the hope of the Jewish people for a Messiah and the conditions of the world at the time of Jesus' birth. The Enrollment at Bethlehem gives the why and how of the census, the journey, and the arrival of Joseph and Mary at Bethlehem. Shepherds Out in the Fields tells of Bethlehem, and its shepherds and their ways; shows them in their fields and how they went to the stable. Good News to All People pictures what the coming of Jesus has meant to the world, and how the Good News can be a part of living today. Each has 40 frames; all are in color. The art varies in intrinsic qualities and effectiveness. In the first and fourth the pictures are too busy, too full of people and color, and too much attention is given to nonessentials. In the second it improves a bit, but there is still too many colors and some cluttering. The pictures of the third have the best general qualities. The commentaries are well-written and nicely spoken, the four being carried on the sides of two LP records. The background music is by a full orchestra and enhances the effectiveness of such filmstrips. This series is recommended, both for use, and for purchase by the local church for its AV library. (Produced by SVE, but buy through your local A V dealer.) Films On Mission Study Theme On the "home" side, the theme for this year's study of missions, beginning this fall, is "Christ, the Church and Race." To undergird this study a dozen denominations produced the 281/2minute color (and B&W) film. Broken Mask. It tells the story of two college boys who come to grips with race prej udice, first in themselves, and then in the church. It has average general characteristics. On the overseas side the theme is "Japan," and eleven denominations produced the color (and B&W) film, Younger Brother, the story of Jiro and the manifold problems he encounters in breaking away from the age-old traditions, cultural and religious, to become a Christian. This film has above average general qualities. pp ni HHplSI^Vv 9 ^^l^-t^^mB^JES^ ^^ h H Both films will be useful; moie useful if utilization guides are produced for them and then followed by the users. Both films will be widely available through denominational bookstores and local film libraries across the country. (Paul F. Heard, Inc. produced the first, and Alan Shilin Films, Inc., the second, for the Joint Commission on Missionary Education in cooperation with the Broadcasting and Film Commission of the National Council of Churches.) BROKEN MASK is the story of Paul Brannon, young college student, who comes face to face with the man made barriers of prejudice against the color of a man's skin and through his experiences comes to realize the true meaning of living out reconciliation in his own community. Daily Rental Rates: Color ^12; B/W ^8 254 EdScreen & AV Guide — May, 1957