International Review of Educational Cinematography (Jan-Dec 1930)

74 — The story of petroleum. — Tells the complete story of Petroleum, including prospecting, production, refining, distribution and its ultimate uses. The king of the rails. — This films shows the evolution of transportation on land, beginning with the American Indian up to the present electric locomotive as used on American railroads. Shows the construction and operation over the picturesque Rocky Mt. District. The electric giant. — This film shows the manufacture of a 250,000 horse-power steam turbine generator, the largest single power producing unit in the world. It tells a vivid story of 20th Century Science and Invention, concluding with a cartoon sketch explaining the meaning of a horse power and how it is arrived at. The world struggle for oil. — Shows a very complete story of one of our most important resources, starting with the earliest history and following it through its development to the highy organized production, distribution and utilization methods of the present time. The story of natural gas. — Shows in an interesting and instructive way the various steps in the development and utilization of natural gas supply, from the drilling of a gas well to the delivery of gas to the consumer. White coal. — The story of how tiny snow flakes run a country's industries, light its streets, and make its home life more comfortable and alluring. This film is rich in both scenic and engineering interest. I N U R Y N H F I M An interesting film has recently been shown at the Savoy Hotel in London illustrating by graphs what the modern motor can do for the diverse needs of industry. The show aroused the greatest interest in the audience, which comprised representatives of the Government and the Dominions and representative business men. The film illustrated the power of the huge tractors used in Australia for military and agricultural purposes, Working over rough and uneven ground or through snow, and revealed the ease with which obstacles were got over. Another section of the film illustrated the truly gigantic organization of the London motor bus service. This film was published by the Motor Transport Co., and will be shown in all the most important towns of Great Britain and the Dominions to stress the vast possibilities of motor traction. (The Daily Telegraph F. 5. S. 88). The Federation of British Industries is preparing to publish a series of films illustrating the several branches of national production in the industrial field and the methods used in marketing the commodities. Apart from any publicity ends, a film of this kind is undoubtedly a means of consolidating business knowledge. (Cineopse, Paris F. 5, S. 87). The Neuchatel Section of the Swiss Company, the « Maitres Imprimeurs », has taken the initiative of getting a cinema firm to produce under its direction a film in five parts, illustrating the several phases of the manufacture of printing machinery. The film is accompanied by technical explanations regarding their functioning. (Le Cinema Suisse, Montreux F. 5, S. 87). There is no doubt that industrial films are popular with the London public. One that has been shown recently with marked success illustrates the several phases of curing, smoking and kippering herrings. (The Yorkshire Post, Leeds F. 5, S. 89). Kennet F. Space, in a brilliant article, well supported by facts, on the question of the uses of the cinema for industrial publicity, insists on the technical exigencies of this type of film, which he declares ought to be as brief as it is lucid; he also insists on the necessity of short captions. The views expressed by Mr. Space are generally shared by all authorities on the question. (Movie Makers, New York F. 5, S. 90).