Year book of motion pictures (1947)

benefit of organizations and publications whose representatives can see films more con \eniently in New York than in California A representative of the Boy Scouts of America previews pictures to secure material for the nonthly movie page in the magazine, Boy's Life. Communications regarding this service should be addressed to Boy Scouts of America, Inc., 2 Park Avenue, New York, N. Y. Under the leadership of Mrs. LeRoy Montgomery of South Norwalk, Conn., chairman uf the National Preview Committee of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a committee reviews motion pictures regularly for publication in the National Historical Magazine. A mimeographed list is also published and sent monthly to several hundred D.A.R. chapters in the United Stales. The Film Music Preview Committee, a special group functioning under the New York State Federation of Music Clubs, allied with the National Federation of Music Clubs, reviews motion pictures that are of particular interest to music lovers who enjoy the better music. The findings of the committee are published in The Empire Record, an organ of the New York State Federation of Music Clubs. The General Federation of Women's Clubs ui represented in the East by the Eastern Division of Motion Picture Reviewers under the chairmanship of Mrs. Harry Lilly. The weekly reports of her committee are sent to the National Motion Picture Chairman, Mrs. Arretu F. Burt. Under the leadership of Mrs. James F. Looram, chairman. Motion Picture Department, the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae has a large previewing group whose findings are published weekly in the Legion of Decency List. Several motion picture councils in the Greater New York area review motion pictures and publish and circulate their comments among their individual clientele. The New York Public Library has a group of previewers who cover all pictures on books and stage plays. The Library Journal, issued bi-monthly, carries a list of all pictures, completed and in the making, based on books, stage plays, and other published material. The Parents Motion Picture Group of Greater New York, of which Mrs. Mildred Kaplan is chairman, has a membership of about 40. Each member represents a school, public or private, in the New York area. They preview all films and their comments are published monthly in a mimeographed list with a wide circulation and in publications issued by the various schools. The Motion Picture Council of Protestant Women, sponsored by the Christian Herald, has been recently organized. The membership at present is 35. Mrs. Daniel A. Poling is national chairman and Mrs. Jesse M. Bader (he editorial secretary. Its reviews of motion pictures are carried in the Christian Herald. There are several other publications which iiave a reviewer, checking on pictures of special interest to their individual organizations —Parents' Magazine, Child Life and The Open Road for Boys, etc. Photoplay Appreciation IT is estimated that not less than 6,000,000 students in elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities receive more or less detailed guidance from their teachers in the appreciati\e study of appropriate motion picture pictures and short subjects currently offered in the theaters. This technique is rapidly spreading, especially in high schools and junior high schools. These progressive teachers use the local motion picture theater for illustrative material just as they use the public library for collateral reading. Also, they have found it practical to mould the taste of their pupils toward the development of discriminating habits of choice in the selection of motion picture entertainment. In these activities teachers use study guides of which 25 or 30 are published during each school year, classroom bulletins mailed by the Community Service Department, selected still pictures chosen with special reference to their educational value and research photograph exhibits which are regularly displayed in about 6,500 public libraries and school libraries. Interested teachers are usually able to obtain this material through local exhibitors who secure it from the distributors of the pictures; where this is not possible, teachers may contact Motion Picture Association Inc., 28 W. 44th St., New York 18. N. Y., direct. Exhibits Available to Schools and Libraries DISPLAYS of various types, research exhiliits, and brochures featuring the historical background, literary antecedents and technical data concerning production are available from the Department of Community Service without cost. The research exhibits— approximately 20"x30" and including from three to 12 posters— present source materials utilized in designing costumes, sets, properties, story sources and other collaterals used in the process of translating fiction, biography, history, etc., to motion pictures. The brochures covering much the same field, are usable for intimate classroom study as well as display. Schools and libraries desiring to have their addresses placed on the mailing list should send with their request a statement of their facilities for use and indicate the departments or divisions to which the exhibits will be made available. \Vhere more than one copy is required, arrangement should be made 823