Film and Radio Guide (Oct 1945-Jun 1946)

42 FILM AND RADIO GUIDE Volume XII, No. 8 factories, homes — right in the social units that are basic to our society in every civilized land. The use of the 16mm film during the war is too well-known to need re-counting. Audiences totaling hundreds of millions were reached not in any casual manner but in gatherings where the generally serious subject-matter of our films was the principal and very often sole appeal to the gathering. Enlightenment, clearer thinking, and very often, purposeful action, followed the showing of these films directly, with an effectiveness and proximity that is unique to our medium. In realizing the potentialities of the motion picture in helping to meet the serious problems that confront us in these disturbed post-war days, there is no dividing line between 16mm and 35mm, between theatrical and non-theatrical fields. We all have a common job to do and to each there comes the challenge to do it, to the best of his abil ity, with all the resources that he can command. We glory in the social contributions of many outstanding workers in the theatrical field. We know that every time that a worthy social concept is presented, worthily, on the theatrical screen, hundreds of millions will have their thinking and action moved in the direction the world has to go if there is to be a better day for all of us. We of ANFA are prepared to do our share equally and welcome every opportunity to aid our whole industry to speak with one voice in the interest of human progress. We hope that some organizational means will be found to implement the desire we all share to work together for the common good. The crying need of our day is united effort for the common good. At this very convention, initial steps have been taken to explore the possibility of combining the forces of two major trade associations in the 16mm field, the Allied Non-Theatrical Film Association and the National Association of Visual Education Dealers. Furthermore, a strong liaison committee has already started functioning, and at the coming convention of NAVED in August we hope that further steps in the direction of unity may be taken. All the major branches of the photographic industry, likewise, are combined in the Photographic Industry Co-ordinating Committee, only a little more than a year old. Finally these interests and a much wider circle of educational and social groups are combining for the formation of local chapters of the Film Council of America which, on the local or community level, will include every individual or group interested in any way in the motion picture as a social instrument. We hope that our good friends of the 35mm industry will cooperate in these efforts. We need their help. We have every confidence that we shall get it. 150 Biblical Films Planned An ambitious program of transferring the Bible to the screen is planned by the American Bible Society in cooperation with the Anson Bond Production Company of Hollywood. The films will be in color, with a narrator reading the Biblical text. The musical backgrounds will include original scores by Clarence Williams for symphony orchestra and choir. A total of 150 20-minute films, it is estimated by Henry Harris Ragatz, spokesman for the American Bible Society, will be necessary before the entire scriptures are filmed. Production will be started first on the events of the four Gospels. The initial three episodes to go before the cameras will be The Nativitij, The Parable of the Sower, and The Woman of Samaria. The motion pictures, which will be non-denominational, will be made in 16mm as well as 35mm. Plans are also under way to prepare the films with foreign sound tracks for use abroad. The first set of episodes is scheduled for completion in September. The staff handling the production includes Richard LeStrange, producer ; William Rousseau, director ; Harry Coswick, technical director ; and Byron DeBolt, costume and set designer. The project is a non-profit venture, and all income above costs will be used for producing films. The pictures will be distributed by the American Bible Society.