Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

January 5, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 19 Use Films to Teach Military Tactics SCHOOLS HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN STUDENTS BY MEANS OF PICTURES THE motion picture screen is to play a far greater part in the present world war than even its most optimistic supporter would have ventured to predict. Not only is the screen to be used to register the historical events taking place on the other side but it is to be used for the intensive training of soldiers, of turning the rawest of recruits into finished soldiers. After all other methods of direct instruction of recruits have failed of the desired results the United States government has turned to the screen to bring the recruits to that degree of efficiency that will enable them to enter first line trenches after a few weeks of post graduate course in the direct military school of instruction. Seek Efficient Training For several months government officials, members of the War College and staff officers of the army have been seeking some method by which large bodies of men might be taught military tactics and evolutions by one instructor at the same time. More than thirty plans were suggested and rejected as impracticable. Almost at the moment when the officials in charge of the training of the immense army composed of absolutely raw material had decided that there was no substitute for the old drill ground methods of instruction of man by man, squad by "Over There" Music Tax Waived Following up permission to use his stirring war song, "Over There," as the musical theme for the Select Pictures Corporation's war drama, "Over There," George M. Cohan has further evidenced his generosity by granting the use of the music free of tax to any theater presenting the picture on its program. This is confirmed in a letter to Select Pictures from Mr. Cohan's publishers, Leo Feist, Inc.: Gentlemen: Leo Feist, Inc., confirms the permission already given to you by Mr. George Cohan, author and composer of the musical composition, "Over There," to use the music of that song as incidental music to the exhibition of your motion picture entitled "Over There." Leo Feist, Inc., (Signed) E. F. Bitner, General Manager. "Over There" is a six-reel photodrama produced by the Charles Richman Pictures Corporation with Charles Richman and Anna Q. Nilsson in the stellar roles. squad and company by company, Leslie W. Brennan, a Utica, N. Y., financier, advanced the idea that properly taken motion pictures would solve the problem. The suggestion by Mr. Brennan who knows nothing of the technique of the screen, at first was met with skepticism, so much so in fact that Mr. Brennan offered to personally bear the entire expense of proving that his suggestion not only was not impossible but was plausable and practical. Use West Point Models Secretary of War Baker, impressed by the earnestness of Mr. Brennan, was partially convinced. He issued orders that the West Point plebs and competent officers be placed at the disposal of Mr. Brennan who immediately went to West Point, accompanied by an expert camera man and a motion picture director. Assisted by Captain Matthew Tomlin Anna Q. Nilsson, star of "Over There," a Select release. son, instructor of the plebs, the men were posed in the proper positions and the pictures were taken. They cover practically everything it is necessary for a soldier to know. Starting with the Manual of Arms, the pictures go through the' School of the Soldier, School of the Squad, School of the Company, Arm Signalling, Semaphore, Trench Work and Bomb and Grenade practice. Impresses War College Upon the completion of the pictures they were shown to the members of the War College at Washington. The members of the War College were so impressed that they immediately assigned Captains Ellis and Gary, co-authors of the Plattsburg Manual, to use the Brennan pictures as a basis and enlarge upon them in making prints to be used to teach the recruits in the cantonments of the country. Captains Ellis and Gary, again using the West Point Cadets, enlarged on the pictures by showing the improper method of performing the movements. These additions by Captains Ellis and Gary have caused a wide discussion among the educators of the country, many of them declaring that it is not wise to show improper methods as the wrrong manner of executing the movements may become impressed upon the recruits who may execute movements in the wrong rather than in the correct way. Hastens Soldier-Making As a result of the success in working out the idea suggested by Mr. Brennan it is declared that the next batch of recruits called into service will learn their military lessons in from sixty to ninety days less than the green men who preceded them into the cantonments. Not only will the military tactics films be used in the cantonments but prints of the original Brennan pictures wTill be available for newly formed military companies, State Guards, Home Defense Leagues, Y. M. C. A.'s, colleges and public schools. Government officials who are behind the universal military training idea praise the West Point pictures, declaring that these films solve the problem caused by the lack of military instructors and also solve financial difficulties surrounding a military education. In many cities throughout the United States the authorities have been anxious to start a course of military training in the public schools. In many instances