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

8 THE MOTION PICTURE AND THE FAMILY January 15, 1937 Upstate New York Library Features Window Displays The maritime note is stressed in this interesting exhibit shown in the library window in Corinth, New York. Pool Teaching Experience In Film Survey Experiences in teaching motion picture appreciation are being pooled in a survey now in progress under the direction of the American Institute of Cinematography. Among questions which are being asked of educators are whether it is possible to elevate motion picture tastes and standards through teaching motion picture appreciation and thus create a demand for better pictures; whether stress should be laid upon the social, or artistic aspects of pictures, or their correlation with other subjects in the curriculum; what are the major problems in teaching motion picture appreciation, and what are useful means of advancing such teaching. A Clubwoman Chats On Family Films (Continued from Page 4) ropolitan Opera star; College Holiday, also Paramount, a gay melange in a not too scholastic setting; That Girl From Paris, RKO Radio, with Lily Pons, which will educate the younger generation to an appreciation of "The Barber of Seville"; and Sing Me a Love Song, Warner Brothers. In the Western classification are: Rio Grande Ranger, Columbia, in which a small boy, Robert Henry, does some spectacular riding; Sandflow, Universal; Trail Dust, Paramount, more Hopalong Cassidy adventures, and Cowboy Star, Columbia, which shows a cowboy returning to the prairie after five years in Hollywood. Mind Your Own Business, Paramount, with Charles Ruggles and Alice Brady, will give children and adults many wholesome laughs. So, too, will Let's Make a Million, also Paramount, with the well-liked Edward Everett Horton. Three Smart Girls, Universal, Great Guy, Grand National, and God's Country and the Woman, Warner Bros., complete the family films of the month. Films Reviewed In This Issue Camille, page 7 ; Champagne Waltz, page 4; College Holiday, page 8; Cowboy Star, page 8; God's Country and the Woman, page 8 ; Good Earth, page 7 ; Great Guy, page 8; Let's Make a Million, page 8; Mind Your Own Business, page 8; Once a Doctor, page 6; The Plainsman, pages 3 and 4; The Plough and the Stars, pages 6 and 8; Rainbow on the River, pages 4 and 6; Rembrandt, pages 4 and 7; Rio Grande Ranger, page 8; Sandflow, page 8; Sing Me a Love Song, page 8; That Girl From Paris, page 8; Three Smart Girls, page 8; Trail Dust, page 8. Library window displays are by no means monopolized by the Cleveland Public Library, pioneer though it was in that field. The photograph above shows the ingenious method used by the Corinth Free Library, Inc., of Corinth, New York, to lure additional readers by exhibiting books on special topics. A Boost For "The Motion Picture and the Family" "Recently, Mr. Ed Lewis allowed us to bring 75 lads from our underprivileged boys group to see The Devil Is a Sissy," writes Mr. E. B. Davis, Boys' Work Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. of Aurora, Illinois. "This treat came about as a direct result of the circulation of your little magazine. Mr. K. D. Waldo, Superintendent of the East Side Schools, read about the picture and sent me the notice stating that he thought it would be a splendid picture for the Community Comrades to see. I contacted Mr. Lewis and as he agreed with Mr. Waldo, the party was arranged. I felt that the picture was the finest thing I have seen and certainly (will have a great influence in preventing crime." It is in this window that the library from time to t:\ne places attractive displays on books from which films are made. It is in this window, too, that The Plainsman exhibit will be displayed prior to and during the time the film plays in Corinth. Other motion picture exhibits, when forthcoming, will be shown there. University Women Back Showing Historical Film . More than usual interest attached to the performance of Nine Days a Queen, when it opened in Salem, Oregon. Special displays of books dealing with the period in English history covered by the film were arranged by the Salem Public Library. Pupils who desired to attend were excused from class to go to special school matinees for which tickets were sold in the school. The premiere was under the sponsorship of the Salem Women's University Association and the committee from the Association made announcements of the film in all service clubs. The result was an unprecedented advance interest in the film and an attendance much larger than usual. New Council Is Formed In N. York Area Formation of a new Motion Picture Council in the metropolitan area of New York City was among the significant events of the month. Mrs. Charles Tonsor, Kings County Chairman of Motion Pictures for the New York State Federation of Women's Clubs, was primarily responsible for its organization. Mrs. George Janung is president, Mrs. Leo Gross recording secretary and Mrs. Melton A. Croson corresponding secretary. The organization is known as the Forest Hills-Kew Gardens Motion picture council. Films For Pupil And For Teacher (Continued from Page 7) story and the excellence of the performance make it likely that many students will see it. Miss Garbo dominates the picture throughout and gives reality not only through her delicate physical appearance and her exotic beauty, which suit the role, but through her versatility in interpreting the everchanging moods of the fascinating heroine. The picture is noteworthy for its richness of mounting, for the beauty of photography, for carefully modulated sound and carefully sustained moods, all marks of excellence in direction. THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS (RKO Radio) Each character in this drama of struggle for Irish freedom seems to be symbolic. There is in the hero, Jack, the indomitable patriot fighting on in loyalty to an ideal in the face of continuing defeat and consequent destruction. There is in Nora, his wife, the personification of the phrase, "for women must weep." One by one we come , to know the dwellers of the house, typical all — the gentle, dying girl, just tasting of life; the squabbling women neighbors, drunken and lacking in moral values; the fight1 ing, boastful, bantam loafer; the ( ranting Communist; the efficient Tory police and the loyal leader of the flag bearing The Plough and . the Stars. Yet it is so personal in its interpretation that the conflict becomes real to us. Brands As Fallacious Films Lead To Crime (Continued from Page 4) feasts of incomparable splendour; and courts and palaces in which the high and mighty made graceful movements beneath radiant chandeliers and in the disciplined presence of footmen of unearthly dimensions, dress and deportment." "Why should it be suggested that these things are harmless in books, but harmful on the screen?" he queried in conclusion. Printed in U.S.A. Why the Bookmarks ? (See page 7) The Great Barrier — filmed in Canada — because it deals with an epic event in the history of any country, the building of a great railroad. King Solomon's Mines — because of its colorful adventure value. Quality Street — both because of the charm and distinction of the play from which the film was made and because of the literary distinction of the author. Lloyds of London — because its subject matter is unique, because it deals with the evolution of a world-famed business enterprise and because of the high quality of the film.