The Motion Picture and the Family (Oct 1934 - May 1937)

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8 THE MOTION PICTURE AND THE FAMILY February 15, 1936 Even a Light Comedy May Inspire a Library Display Cleverly the Cleveland Library turns attention to culinary matters as "If You Could Only Cook" is shown in local theatres. Producers Are Commended In A Resolution A resolution commending the fine type of motion pictures produced during the past year and pledging the continued support of Nebraska clubwomen to pictures of this quality was a feature of the convention of the Nebraska State Federation of Women's Clubs, held at Grand Island in late fall. The resolution read as follows: WHEREAS, One of the objectives of the General Federation of Women's Clubs is to promote educational and wholesome, entertaining motion pictures, and WHEREAS, The Picture Producers have responded to the requests from the many like organizations with some remarkable pictures, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Nebraska Federation of Women's Clubs extends deep appreciation to the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc., for the notable recent improvement, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Nebraska Federation, in convention assembled October 8, 9, 10, commends the efforts of the industry to improve, and pledges support of the many beautiful, clean pictures of artistic value being presented. This resolution, which was enthusiastically adopted, was presented by Mrs. T. Earl Sullenger, chairman of the Department of Education and Motion Pictures, who reported, among other activities, that six new Better Films Councils have been formed in Nebraska during the past year. Use Films in Canton A combined project for the use of "Secrets of Success" films in Canton, Pennsylvania, in 1936, with school and church groups participating, is under way under the sponsorship of Rev. William Cartwright of the Canton Presbyterian Church. Six Theatres In N. Y. Aid School Group (Continued from Page 3) elementary and junior high pupils and therefore a modicum of these is not discouraged. The factor of inspiration is considered and in so far as possible films are chosen which correspond to truth and the higher values of life. Romantic films — but not sentimental ones — are approved. It has been found that the elementary schools dislike love-making but that high school students enjoy a limited amount. These are factors which the committee tries to avoid in its choice of films: glorification of war, mediocrity, over-sentimentality, uncalled-for drinking, unnecessary brutality or killing, passionate love scenes, risque sex situations, undue sympathy for the immoral or criminal and superficiality. Whaling Exhibit Lends Color to "Bounty" Study A comprehensive exhibit of whaling material displayed in the Brookline, Massachusetts, high school library helped to lend interest to the study of Mutiny on the Bounty when the film was showing in Brookline. The exhibit was loaned by a teacher whose father was a sea captain of Martha's Vineyard. In his young manhood he spent several months on Norfolk Island with the descendants of the Bounty mutineers, who housed him and entertained him until a whaler called for him. Not only did he accumulate an interesting collection of various types of whaling souvenirs which were placed on display in the library but also subsequently received many letters and snapshots from the Norfolk Island residents ! and these were included in the Brookline display. Photoplay Appreciation Pioneer Outlines Course Instruction in methods of considering critical appreciation of both photoplays and radio drama are included in a course on the teaching of English in secondary schools which is listed among the extension courses of the New Jersey State Teachers' College at Montclair. The course was de veloped by Professor Edward H. Webster, assisted by Mr. Phil D. Collins and Mr. Max J. Herzberg, the latter principal of Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey, where the experiment in teaching photoplay appreciation started. In addition to the work on photoplay and radio drama the extracurricular activities include dramatics and high school journalism; also composition and literature, as outlined in city and state courses. Classes are held on Saturday at 8 :45 A.M. and Tuesday at 4 : 15 P.M. Humes High School Has A Novel Program The Humes High School Photoplay Club in Memphis, Tennessee, has a novelty method of testing the sagacity of its pupils in evaluating the worth of films. The members recently participated in a contest to see how closely they could approximate the list of ten outstanding pictures of 1935 chosen by local authorities. Joseph Padawer was right in nine instances out of ten and was given special recognition in consequence. About eight others of the group guessed seven of the pictures which were subsequently chosen. The club is now engaged in discovering who is its most outstanding member, a rate system being used in reaching the decision. A prize has been offered to the student who emerges highest in the contest by Miss Josephine Aliensworth, faculty adviser. Points are to be given for talks on pictures during club meetings, best reviews submitted, number of pictures recommended by a preview committee which have been seen by the student and for essays on A Tale of Two Cities and The Crusades which are entered in national contests on these two pictures. The principal of Humes High School, Mr. S. L. Ragsdale, who has 35 mm. equipment in the school, has succeeded in having such films as Little Women, David Copperfield and Sequoia shown in the auditorium for the benefit of all the pupils. He has put on short biographies of famous men and also industrial shorts and shorts picturing interesting events in American History. Shown recently, for example, was a biography of Alfred Lord Tennyson, an historical sketch of The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, a condensation of The Cricket on the Hearth, adapted from the Dickens novel, and Iron and Steel, picturing iron mining and steel manufacture. The short films are secured from the Visual Education Department of the University of Missouri. Clubwomen Pick "Ten Best" Pictures A list of the "Ten Best Pictures of 1935," compiled from the point of view of the clubwoman, has been announced by the Cleveland Federation of Women's Clubs, following a January poll. As an indication of the motion picture taste of a group of women who have given particularly intensive attention to motion picture appreciation it is unusually significant. The list includes one picture of each of the major types filmed last year. They are: David Copperfield, Mutiny on the Bounty, Midsummer Night's Dream, Sequoia, Roberta, Ruggles of Red Gap, The Crusades, Oil for the Lamps of China, Alice Adams and Man of Aran. Printed in U. S. A. Why the Bookmarks The Oregon Trail (see page 7 for bookmarks) lends itself happily to a bookmark. It deals with a phase of its subject not generally well known, is both entertaining and good historically and follows its true story with no exploitation of climaxes. The Voice of Bugle Ann was chosen because of the popularity of the novel and the excellent angle dealing with a dog. Captain January was selected because the film was made from a juvenife book that has long been in high standing in libraries and whose popularity is continuing; also because the picture has adult and juvenile appeal. The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, because it is made from an excellent novel by an author of standing and its locale offers opportunity for fine scenic photography.