Film and Radio Guide (Oct 1945-Jun 1946)

Mav, 1946 FILM AND RADIO GUIDE 41 report itself. The Code, even in its negative, defensive, traditional application, was devised in order that the film industry might better serve its public. If, in the normal operation of this self-regulatory apparatus, a given ruling might be challenged as harmful to the industry’s true service to its public, a reference of that issue (at least for counsel) to a responsible group competent to speak for the public welfare, might prove very helpful. Regardless of the limits the Motion Picture Association might wish to put upon organized collaboration with other public-spirited trade and consumer groups, some sort 'of machinery for collaboration in the general field of the motion picture and its public would seem to be as necessary now as is the United Nations Organization in that of international affairs. There are undoubtedly some in the theatre ranks to whom this public recognition of the growing importance of the non-theatrical field must sound like sheer heresy. There are, too, some rather influential voices in the educational and social film worlds who have become soured on the very thought of working with “Hollywood.” But there are skeptics, too, who see no hope in international collaboration. Good will and high purpose, so well expressed in the report here under discussion, if carried out into mutual action, will dispel remaining doubt, advance the common interests of the industry, and augment its services to mankind. Kruse's Inaugural Address as President of ANFA PresidenNelect William F. Kruse, succeeding Horace O. Jones and introduced by Toastmaster Orton H. Hicks at the annual banquet of the Allied Non-Theatrical Film Association, held at the Hotel New Yorker, New York City, May 11, 1946, made the following address: We look forward to the time when, year after year, those people who contribute most effectively to the improvement and expansion of the motion picture in socially significant activities will be recognized. The theatrical industry has its awards, from the leading female star to the most skillful film technician. The theatrical industry, in honoring those of its members whom it considers most deserving, honors those individuals, to be sure, for the contributions they have made. However, in so doing, it honors itself, for it bestows these awards in recognition of the services which it, as an industry, has rendered to its public. That public includes everyone who at any time looks at a mo tion picture. Everyone in this country, everyone in any other country who is, by means of the motion picture, enabled to get a better understanding of how the real people live and think and act in this country, is a better person, a better human being, a better citizen. This is the contribution 0 f those members of the motion-picture industry whose superior creative and technical achievements in every branch have helped to make the motion picture the potent force it is today. At this convention, we have already taken cognizance of the varied nature of their contribution and interest and have departmentalized our own organization into six major divisions : Producers, Distributors, Libraries, Projection Services, Laboratories, and Equipment Manufacturers and Dealers. We hope, furthermore, that the day will be not far distant when non-theatrical awards of merit will recognize achievements not only in these United States, but in all the other lands with which, in this Atomic Age especially, we are so closely inter-related. The motion picture industry, as a whole, can be proud of the recognition its leaders extend to this essential international character of the medium that we all serve. At the luncheon of the SMPE last Tuesday, William Rogers, of Loew’s Incorporated, called attention to the fact that no other medium was so well-adapted to carry the message of the brotherhood of man, as was the motion picture. In his annual report to the Motion Picture Association of America, Eric Johnston gave similar recognition in a most outstanding presentation of the role of the film. We, of the 16mm industry, have responsibilities in relation to this most potent medium of mass communication that in no way are secondary to those which confront any other group. Our films are shown primarily in schools, churches, club rooms.