Film and Radio Guide (Oct 1945-Jun 1946)

Morch, 1946 59 FILM AND RADIO GUIDE A Community Motion -Picture Forum The Reading, Pennsylvania, Motion-Picture Forum began its activities for the eighth year with the general organization meeting in September. The program group, which had begun its business during the summer, announced the general theme selected for the year was “Films and World Citizenship.” For the September program, they presented a series of LatinAmerican 16mm films, including Bolivia, Amazon Aivakens (produced by Walt Disney) , and Gracias Amigos (narrated by Lowell Thomas, telling the contributions made by the republics of South America toward winning World War II.). Following the film program, a social hour was scheduled as a get-acquainted meeting for representatives of fourteen civic clubs affiliated with the Forum. These persons discussed methods of conveying film information to their organizations and utilizing the resources of the Forum, which acts as a clearing-house for film information. Through programs and announcements, the Forum endeavors to bring to its members the best and newest films in the 16mm field. In the 35mm entertainment field, the Forum lives up to its motto of “Better Appreciation Through an Informed Public” by publishing a monthly bulletin of film reviews, including type-ofaudience suitability. Parents and teachers find this information useful in directing young people to the best films for their level of understanding. Through the co-operation of local theatre managers, the editorial commit BY KATHRYN A. KLINE tee secures the programs a month in advance. Previews are scheduled locally wherever possible ; but for most of the information, the editors depend upon such publications as Film and Radio Guide, the National Board of Review’s New Movies, and Unbiased Opinio7is from the West Coast. The program committee usually alternates film and speaker programs. For the November meeting, our guest speaker was Miss Theresa Stone, of MetroGoldwyn-Mayer’s Public Relations Bureau in New York City. Miss Stone discussed, informatively and pleasantly, the timely subject of “Films: Their PeaceTime Destiny.” The Reading Senior High School Forum, which is one of the school’s leading clubs, is affiliated with the civic group in several specific ways. The highschool club, always invited to attend meetings, assists in ushering and in the distribution and mailing of bulletins. Films presenting the necessity of racial and religious friendliness were shown at a recent meeting. The February meeting always features the annual banquet, which is the most festive occasion of the year. Usually an entertaining full-length 16mm film is presented. Last year, The Melody Master was shown and thoroughly enjoyed. This year Michael Strogoff was selected. In these ways, the Reading Motion Picture Forum acts as a service organization in the community. Thoroughly convinced that films can both educate and elevate, its members are dedicat ed to the purpose of securing “Better Appreciation Through an Informed Public.” ★ ★ ★ Akron's Notable AudioVisual Progress Few school systems are so completely equipped with motion-picture projectors as the Akron system. Each of Akron’s fifty-six public schools has one or more sound motion-picture projectors. In order to facilitate the use of visual aids and make the program more effective, a visualaids co-ordinator has been appointed in each school. Regular departmental meetings are held, and a monthly newsletter is published. At Akron’s Central High School a point system for student awards has been set up, and school letters are awarded for visual-aids service. In all schools, student projectionists carry printed operator’s permits, which have been granted after they have met the training requirements. The Akron Public Schools Film Library renders extensive service to the community. Twenty-four community organizations are regular borrowers of films. Enlarged offices, workrooms, and a screening room will soon be occupied jointly by the Radio and Visual Aids departments. The Radio Department is under the direction of Mrs. Josephine French and the Visual Aids under the direction of M. Lincoln Miller. Otis C. Hatton is superintendent of the Akron Public Schools.