Year book of motion pictures (1934)

BETTER FILMS NATIONAL COUNCIL The community or field work of the National Board is conducted under its Better Films National Council through affiliated memberships, service contact groups and correspondents throughout the country. The National Council assists in the organization and program of work of these local groups, usually known as Better Films Councils. These Councils follow a plan initiated by the National Board in 1916 of having a membership composed of representatives from many organizations, cultural, educational and civic, so that they typify the original movement for community participation in the development and support of the motion picture socially. The objectives of such organizations are as follows: To encourage the study of the motion picture as a medium of entertainment, instruction and artistic expression. To emphasize the fact that the only effective way of bringing public opinion to aid in the development of the motion picture and its best uses is through the constructive methods embodying the theory of selection and classification and the seeking of support for the better pictures through the community organization plan and not through censorship. To bring to the attention of the public the better pictures through the publication of a Photoplay Guide to the selected pictures showing at the local theatres. To sponsor "juniors' matinees" showing pictures particularly suitable for boys and girls, and "family night" or week-end programs whenever possible with exhibitors' bookings. To endorse and further the use of visual education in the schools. The information from the National Board on the selected and exceptional pictures is made available to these groups providing them with advance word so that they can offer organized community support for such pictures. During 1933 this work has been extended to many new groups in cities and smaller communities. Field representatives from Hartford, Conn., New Orleans, La., Memphis, Tenn., and Burlington, Vt., have become members of the National Council in 1933. PUBLICATIONS The National Board has continued the publication of its monthly, "The National Board of Review Magazine", a journal containing articles of general interest on the motion picture activity and reviews of exceptional and selected pictures. Other regular publications are the two weeklies, "The Guide to Selected Pictures" and "The Official Bulletin". The Eighteenth Annual Selected Pictures Catalog was issued in 1933 containing a condensed form cf the plan for Community Better Films Councils. A number of special classified subject film lists have been compiled such as Motion Pictures on Subjects of Timely Interest, Films for Junior Matinees, Selected Book-Films, Exceptional Photoplays, Foreign Films Released in America. 1933 ANNUAL MEETING The Ninth Annual Conference of the National Board of Review was held in New York City, February 9th to 11th, at the Hotel Pennsylvania. The general subject was "Analysis of Motion Picture Appreciation". The first speakers session was devoted to the topic "Present Methods of Determining Attitudes Toward Motion Pictures". This was presented as follows: "Effect of the Changing Social Order on Motion Picture Responses," by Mr. LeRoy E. Bowman, Director cf Extension Activities of Summer Play Schoojs, Child Study Association; "Motion Pictures and Children's Emotions," by Dr. Frank Astor, Field Secretary, National Child Welfare Association; "Motion Pictures in Museum Work With Children," by Miss Mary Mathews, Curator of Education, Brooklyn Children's Museum; "Teaching Languages with Foreign Sound Films," by Mr. Edward B. Gmsburg, Director of the International Cinema League; and "Creating Motion Picture Departments in Museums of Art," by Mr. Alan R. Blackburn, Jr., Executive Secretary, Museum of Modern Art, New York City. The topic "Present Needs and Opportunities in Community Activity" was offered on the second day under "Selected Programs for Family Patronage," by Mrs. Mildred Wilder Champlin, Director, Parent Education, Oneonta Public Schools and Head, Home Economics Department, Hartwick College; "How Can Theater Programs Be Fitted to Community Needs?" by Mr. Edwin F. Coppock, Managing Director, Paramount Theatre, Staten Island, New York; "Organized Community Support of Good Films," by Mr. Joseph L. Marron, President, Jacksonville (Fla.) Better Films Council; and "Special Showings of Cultural and Instructional Films," by Mr. Harry Alan Potamkin, Film Critic and Member, Committee on Exceptional Photoplays. A specialized phase of visual education was presented by Dr. Raymond L. Ditmars, Curator of Mammals and Reptiles of the New York Zoological Park. The Eighteenth Annual Luncheon was held on the second day with many interesting speakers and screen celebrities present to greet the conference delegates, who came from manycommunities, distant and nearby. 505