Moving Picture World (May - Jun 1918)

844 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 11, 1918 a large orchard. Attention is drawn to the fact that oranges are never torn from the branch by the hand, but are clipped at the stem. The fruit before being placed on the market is sorted to remove decayed specimens, after which it is placed in the grading machine. The final move is to wrap each orange by hand in the tissue paper in which it is handed out to us at the fruiterers, and pack them in boxes for the purpose, ready for the market. "Simple Water Plants and Animals" (Paramount-Bray). Some of the peculiar organisms of stagnant water magnified 200,000 times are shown in the 117th release of the Pictograph. This is a subject that has been filmed many times, and is therefore not new to the general public, but it is nevertheless intensely interesting. The studies shown, and which have been made under the lens of powerful microscope are a part of a series being offered by Dr. R. A. Spaeth, Professor of Biology at Yale University, and present quaint forms of life, each of which has been studied individually. Some of these forms resemble plants, but are found on close observation to possess the life and habits common to animal organisms. "Wild Goats and Sheep" (Educational). One of the most fascinating of the Ditmars animal series presents wild goats and sheep at the zoo, showing how they are given there as much of the atmosphere of their native haunts as possible. The rocky mountain goat, for instance, is given a runway to the roof of his special apartment as a recompense for the mountain heights which he has been forced to leave behind him. Then there are Barbary wild sheep, which are found on the African deserts, and the Himalayan tahr and other varieties of the sheep and goat family. Some scenes show these animals on snow-clad uplands; others show them being cornered and caught, and afterward placed in a crate for shipment. Wild dogs which are a menace to certain varieties in certain localities are also shown. An interesting number. "Bread Making As They Did It a Thousand Years Ago" (Universal). The 70th issue of the Screen Magazine illustrates primitive methods of making bread. In the picture we see the natives of the West Indies making bread in exactly the same way that their ancestors made it in centuries past, and baking it in an oven which has a fire built right inside of it. In St. Kitts, Leeward Islands, natives use flour made from the Cassava plant. The picture shows the making of the flour previous to its being converted into bread. Cleveland Progresses Sane Methods of Cinema Club Wins Goodwill of Exhibitors and Places Business on Firmer Basis. AN interview with Miss Bertelle Lyttle, one of the directors of the Cleveland Cinema Club, disclosed a number of things in connection with the aspect of the moving picture game in that city which will be of interest to workers in the better film movement. This club, which is a member of the Affiliated Committees for Better Films is unique in the sense of its being composed of representatives from all of Cleveland's women's clubs, and has been working from the top down rather than pursuing the old-fashioned method of working from the bottom up. The moving picture situation in Cleveland was previously handled by the Women's Civic Club until it was recognized that it was an educational art rather than a civic matter. In Cleveland there are in the neighborhood of 175 moving picture theaters, and it is interesting to note that of this number from 90 to 100 are now advertising daily in either one of the Cleveland papers. By pressure being brought to bear in the right direction, and suggestions accepted by exhibitors who recognized that the cooperation offered meant not interference but better business, these advertisements follow closely the pattern of the regulai theater ads, stating not merely the name of the theater, but its whereabouts, the name of the feature which is to be presented, and when possible the names of other pictures, including educationals that are to be presented on the same program. With these advertisements appearing on a page devoted daily to moving picture news and reviews, it can be easily understood that the business in Cleveland with the women of the city backing it in a business like way rather than in the too frequent spirit of narrow-minded criticism, is in a flourishing condition. Help has also been given the exhibitor by these women in various difficulties encountered in the exchanges. By keeping account of larger productions which have shown in their city they have even been able to intervene in cases of overcharge on second and third run pictures, thereby making it possible for neighborhood theaters to have the advantage of noted productions at nominal charges. Another matter which the Cleveland Cinema Club intends to agitate for the benefit of the Cleveland exhibitors, exchanges, and the films themselves, is that of setting aside Monday as the exhibitor's poorest day, for the exhibition of films scheduled for release. The idea is to exhibit the films in one of the theaters, starting at nine o'clock on Monday morning, deVoting the entire day to this purpose, thereby giving all an opportunity of viewing films which they intend to book at the same time, saving the wear and tear on films, which would be occasioned by frequent running for separate individuals. The first year of the Cleveland Cinema Club's work has indeed born good fruit; and it would be well for other organizations with similar views to pursue with the same systematic earnestness the methods through which they have obtained such excellent results. A Suggestion for the Producer Cull Long Lived Subjects From Old News Reels for Use on Educational Programs in Schools and Colleges at Nominal Charges. IT IS not infrequent for news reels to contain in their makeup what might be termed long lived subjects which are of unlimited educational interest; and a suggestion sent to the Motion Picture Educator with regard to the further use of these short bits of film may not come amiss to the producer. In educational institutions there is usually a limit to the funds supplied for purposes of animated illustration, and it is not always possible for them to take advantage of first-run material; therefore it has been suggested that for the benefit of such cases that interesting educational reels could be assembled from suitable material culled from old news reels, and rented out at a reasonable figure. In this way films considered past their usefulness could be made to net the producer a small income and at the same time satisfy a need which is much felt in educational circles. Banking for Our Sea Fighters Paramount-Bray Pictograph Gives Interesting Illustration of How Uncle Sam Manages Banking Business of Our Boys of the Navy. IT WAS a happy thought that prompted the editor of the Paramount-Bray Pictograph to include among the subjects of the 117th issue "Banking for Our Sea Fighters." The task is a large one and the systematic manner in which it is accomplished is shown in detail. Here we see one of the boys signing an allotment paper which states the exact amount of his salary which he wishes to have sent at regular intervals to his family. To this allotment is attached a card with the name and address of the receiver, and of each a separate platinum plate is made. The checks as they are sent out are signed by the head of the department with ten fountain pens, one of which he handles personally while the other nine move in conjunction by means of a mechanical device. These checks are inspected a second time before being mailed to their owners. Secretary Daniels appears in the picture and also a message to the public in his own hand writing. "Patrolling the Snow-Clad Alps" Fifth of the Series of Official Italian War Pictures at the Rivoli. ONE of the most interesting of the series of the Official Italian War Pictures, which is being exhibited at the Rivoli theater, illustrates the methods used by the Italians in patrolling the Alps. Here we see the brave Italian soldiers cutting tunnels through solid walls of ice, or laboriously digging their way through the heavy snows of the upper slopes of the mountains. In some places otherwise inaccessible, rope ladders have been slung, and frequently rope railings are to be seen by which the men steady themselves as they mount. These soldiers toughened from lengthy sojourns under like conditions, can actually run up the steep slopes, where the way is not too difficult. Some of the most fascinating scenes of all show us the army on skis, and also the scouts who are obliged to hover near the enemy's line skating about the snow-clad mountains in pure white uniforms to make them less easily discernible against the snowy background. One of the great searchlights reflecting in its lens the hills on which it is focused is a feature of this particular number which also shows the firing of big guns into the enemv's lines.