Motion Picture News (Sep-Oct 1923)

September 15, 1923 1299 CrandalVs Public Service Work T HE most important work thus far undertaken by the Public Servi and Educational Department of the Crandall Theatres in Washington, D. C, is Americanization. The success of the visual instruction classes in the Crandall Theatres led directly to the adoption of the screen as the method of teaching in the District of Columbia A m e r i c a n i z ation School, conducted by the Board of Education, under the principalship of Miss Maude E. Aiton. The Americanization schools in Washington have a large enrollment of foreignborn, who are seeking citizenship papers. The same thing is true of many towns and cities in America. The first step in the work in Washington was the appointment of a teacher to take charge of the institution on behalf of the school authorities and to work in harmony with Mrs. Locher, of the Crandall Public Service Department. Mrs. Helen C. Kiernan was assigned to the work. She conducts classes in the private projection-room of the Crandall Metropolitan Theatre every Tuesday. On the same day Americanization classes, in charge of Miss Mabel L. Benson, hold their session. Americanization Classes The first film used for instruction in American customs and ideals was " The Life of Lincoln," distributed by the Lincoln Memorial University of Harrowgate, Tenn. Crandall's Metropolitan theatre is next door to the old Ford theatre, in which Lincoln was shot. It is directly across the street from the house in which Lincoln died and which now houses the famous Oldroyd collection of Lincoln relics. Mr. Oldroyd has voluntarily thrown open the collection to the Crandall Americanization classes for study. After the Lincoln film was screened the classes were taken over to the house in which Lincoln died Tax Admissions Decrease During Year A DECREASE of $3,236,475 is reported by the Treasury Department in Washington in the amount collected from admission to theatres, concerts, cabarets, etc., during the fiscal year 1923. The total collected from admissions was $70,148,480, as compared to $73,384,955 during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1922. Collections from the seating tax on theatres and other places of amusement during the fiscal year 1923 totaled $1,864,241, as against $1,863,252 in 1922, an increase of $988. By L. W. Boynton — Article No. 4 One of the Saturday matinees held under the auspices of the Crandall Public Service Department. and there viewed the mementoes of his life and work. Scarcely a town in the country but has its traditions of real Americans and the historical associations that cling about them. Of these, the exhibitor who has the vision to undertake Americanization work can avail himself. Here's the way Americanization is taught in the Crandall classes : The film to be studied is run at normal speed, and Mrs. Kiernan reads the subtitles for those who cannot decipher them readily. Then the picture is discussed and the students are called upon to conduct a real forum. Many have responded with thoughtful and interesting comments. Then the film is run a second time and the pupils are called upon to read the titles as a form of class recitation. In this way they are taught English. Much more rapid progress has been made than would be possible through the mere reading of books. Government Films Shown Following the Lincoln film, there were shown three of the Department of Agriculture pictures, all two-reelers — " Uncle Sam, World's Champion Farmer " ; " Sugar Cane and Cane Sugar," and " Keeping Out Bad Foods." Thus were taught three important phases of American life. When the study session was over the pupils staged a brief program of their own — vocal and instrumental solos, group singing, recitations, and the like, the conclusion always being the singing of American patriotic songs. The foreigners in the capital are deeply interested in and greatly benefited by these Americanization classes. But there is another far-reaching effect — Govenment officials who are most intimately concerned with combatting Bolshevism welcome the Crandall activity as a powerful instrument for keeping America American. A recent session of the Crandall Americanization classes was attended by Raymond F. Crist, U. S. Commissioner of Naturalization; Robert S. Coleman, of St. Paul, and Fred J. Schlotfeldt, of Chicago, both associated with the Naturalization Bureau. All three made addresses of encouragement to the large classes present. Exhibitors at a distance from Washington should not get the idea that Mr. Crandall is the sole beneficiary of the right to enlist governmental agencies in public service work. The same co-operation, the same films, the same material aid are available to him, if he cared enough about rendering a real national service to find out. The film divisions of the Government departments are not only wiling to supply their films to any exhibitor of good standing, but they have declared their readiness to produce new pictures to serve any valuable need in promoting good citizenship. The exhibitor cannot ask for aid more powerful than the full co-operation of the United States Government or a more valuable asset than the friendship of these authorities at Washington. Here is the beginning of a movement whose ultimate possibilities can only be guessed. Surely it is up to the exhibitors of the country to follow in the footsteps of Harry M. Crandall in this great work or muff one of the most valuable opportunities for service and profit that has ever presented itself to the industry of moion pictures. If * Litigation on "Mother Eternal" Settled Graphic Film Corp., through Ivan Abramson, its president, announces this week that litigation pending on "Mother Eternal" has been definitely settled between Mr. Spitz and the Graphic Film Corp. The long standing dispute existing between the two parties is now a thing of the past and will give Mr. Abramson an opportunity to devote his time and efforts exclusively to further production of his 1924 features. Golf Tourney Entries Are Wanted at Once IT is urgently requested that all players and others who anticipate attending the forthcoming Film Golf Tournament to be held at The Belleclaire Golf Club, Bayside, L. I, on Tuesday, Sept. 18, immediately forward their entries. A large number have informed members of the Committee of their intention to be on hand but for the purpose of arranging sufficient prizes as well as food, it is imperative that entries be forwarded immediately.