The film daily year book of motion pictures (1935)

"En(k>rsed Motion Pictures" appear monthly and are available at a one dollar per year subscription rate; and the weekly radio broadcast concerning production prepared by the motion picture chairman, Mrs. James F. Looram. 40-34 Hampton Street, Elmhurst, Long Island. New York. The eight organizations associated in the West Coast Preview Committee have for several years sent ou their evaluations each in its own way. The General Federation of Women's Clubs printed its reviews (through the courtesy of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc.) and sent them to about seven thousand local clubs and committees; the Daughters of the American Revolution, in a similar way, sent theirs to four thousand; the California Congress of Parents and Teachers printed its findings in its state magazine and also, more recently, in the Los Angeles School Journal, a magazine published in the interests of the Los Angeles public schools and widely circulated because of the national standing of the local system. The National Council of Jewish Women and the National Society of New England Women, with their smaller memberships, send mimeographed copies broadcast to their membership; the Women's University Club prints a small bulletin with a yearly subscription rate. It was evident that the uniting of these various organizations in a common list backed by the united opinions of such widely varying units would have greatly added weight and value not only with their own units but also with the press. The combined membership of these groups mounts to many millions, and to th. mere enumeration of numbers must be addeJ the statement that their membership is of the intelligent strata, and is made up of people who have an influence on public opinion o in legislation beyond the proportion of their numbers. For the past two years these groups have been publishing joint lists containing their unanimous recommendations of feature pictures and short subjects. "Selected Motion Pictures" As a supplement to the individual and joint previewing reports of the national organizations, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America issue each month a bulletin titled "Selected Motion Pictures," composed of the preview judgments by public groups of short subjects as well as featured photoplays. It is hoped that through this medium interested groups not yet locally organized may develop support for the many distinguished photoplays now being released at those local theaters willing to adapt their week-end programs to family patronage and be in a position to satisfy local interest in special programs for children since pictures and the facilities of the theater make that feasible. National Groups' Support Available in Exploiting Endorsed Pictures As a consequence of the information avail able through the previewing service, the Hays Off;ce has worked out with the national grouos previewing pictures, arrangements for their org.inized support of photoplays. This goes further than the distribution of clubs, patriotic, educational and literary groups of the endorsements themselves and includes so-called "chain" word of mouth advertising, broadcasting, public announcements in a variety of forms, which have proved their great merit to many pictures during the past year. The Motion Picture and the Family On October 15, 1934, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc., began publication of a magazine called "The Motion Picture and the Family." In the announcement of this bulletin, Mr. Will H. Hays says: "It is the responsibility of the motion pic*'ure industry to supply a world audience with a varied and attractive program of the right kind of entertainment. "The motion picture, and even more emphatically when presented in a neighborhood theater, is a family institution. "The industry, therefore, should aid in making available to parents, teachers, directors of religious education and socially minded group leaders authentic information regarding the special values of current motion pictures tor family entertainment. "To the latter objective this bulletin is oarticularly dedicated. Every Titonth it will cffer impartial evaluations of films by thcs; who represent the Church, the school, the cultured public, and the organized e.ffort for child welfare. It will indicate practical methods of increasing community interest in fine films. "If by this service it helps American families to select their film entertainment wisely and utilize to the full the social and cultural value of films; if it develops more discriminating standards of photoplay appreciation among all the members of the family; if it increases the demand for pictures that are worth while and wholesome, the responsibilities of the industry will be correspondingly fulfilled." In addition to current information about the activities of the more than three thousand Better Films Councils, the bulletin contains five departmental reports of equal interest to the industry and the public: An analysis of photoplays with relation to their values for classroom or school use, edited by Dr. William Lcwin, author of "Photoplay Appreciation in American High Schools"; Bookmarks for the studious sponsored by the Cleveland Public Library under the supervision of Miss Marilla Waite Freeman, librarian, including along with sample bookmarks suggestions as to their use by exhibitors and librarians; Lessons from the Movies, pointing up character values in current photoplays, edited by Dr. Howard M. LeSourd, Dean of the Boston University Graduate School; Appraisal and digest of family films edited by Mrs. William Dick 677