Film and Radio Guide (Oct 1945-Jun 1946)

28 FILM AND RADIO GUIDE Volume XII, No. 7 terials, and facilitate commercial arrangements that will give general access to government films, and possibly other films on which rights have been cleared, on a purchase basis. EFLA Goes Non-Commercial Among the important decisions announced and approved at the annual convention of the Educational Film Library Association was its withdrawal from the buying and selling of films for and to its member libraries, except in rare cases where this is the only way it can support a worthwhile school-made film for which commercial demand is inadequate. Another decision was to intensify and expand its film evaluation procedures as a guide to members in their purchasing of school films. Because of a trend to base evaluations particularly upon current use reports from centers that already have prints, there is some danger here of favoring already established films at the possible expense of newer material that would first have to fight for screening time. Film Council of America Governing Board Called by President C. R. Reagan, a Board meeting, very well attended, took up a number of essential matters. A joint survey will be conducted with the National Committee on Atomic Information, to check conflicting stories on atom-bomb films and filmstrips reportedly in production, and to help avoid duplica tion in worthwhile production activity. A pledge of $5,000 to $10,000 to be spent on such a production was noted. Collaboration with the Film Society of Canada was arranged. The status of local Film Council chapters was clarified. They are to be chartered by the Governing Board, and are to operate with almost unlimited local autonomy, provision being made for representation on the Governing Board as soon as a minimum of twenty local chapters makes the democratic selection of two such representatives possible. A brochure on the purposes and procedure of the local Film Council is being prepared by Don White and will be printed at the expense of NAVED. Forthcoming Walter Lantz Cartoons of Educational Interest Walter Lantz, head of the Walter Lantz Cartune Studio, and creator of such animated cartoon characters as Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda, and Wally Walrus, is producing a new series, titled “Musical Miniatures.” These shorts will present well-known classical music played “straight” rather than as an adjunct to the gags and comedy situations of cartoon subjects. Already completed is Poet and Peasant. In production are Chopin’s Musical Moments and Overture to William Tell. The Chopin film will feature two well-known pianists, Ted Saidenberg and Ed Rebner ; the other two films will furnish music with a full orchestra. The studio will produce four of these pictures each year. Heretofore, in cartoon musicals, the stories have been written first, and the music made to fit the action of the picture. But in this new Lantz series the music is first recorded, and then the story department goes to work fitting the script to the music. In these pictures, a moviegoer can close his eyes (if he chooses), and just listen! There will be no discordant sounds to jar him. Thus if the music-lover wishes to hear one of his favorite selections played without the distraction of the cartoon comedy that accompanies it, he may do so. Producer Lantz believes that many people, children particularly, do not like “good” music because they have never been exposed to it. It is his conviction that music served up with popular cartoon stars will make these selections from the classics palatable to audiences that, up to now, have been interested only in boogie-woogie and jukebox numbers. "Reddy-Mode Magic" The Lantz studio has also just completed a twelve-minute Technicolor and sound cartoon, which portrays episodes in the history of electricity and dramatizes present-day electric service. The film is available through local power comi)anies. Prepared in both 16mm and