Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

1180 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 25 Universal to Make Government Pictures Gets Contract to Film Series of Single Reel Films Called "The Wonders of Our War Work" THE Universal Film Manufacturing Company has again been designated by the United States government as the agency through which to discharge one of its most important and necessary wartime functions. Ever since the country has been at war with Germany and more particularly since the American troops have been playing such a leading part in the conflict, there has been an insatiable desire to. know what America is doing to win the war, what weapons are being used, how they are turned out, what are the actual conditions of training, how the boys live, how they fight and how they play. There are many things that cannot be told about the war work, but there are many things that can and every government realizes that the telling of these things is the greatest force which can be exerted in improving the morale of the great civilian army supporting the boys at the front. There are only two ways to build up this morale — through the papers and on the motion picture screen. The government has already utilized the animated weeklies extensively in waking the country up to the reality of war, in stimulating enlistments, Liberty Loan and war savings stamp investments, Red Cross giving and conservation of resources. The agricultural department entrusted to Universal an important contract dealing with its activities. But the greatest official recognition thus far of the essential character of the screen is the placing with Universal through the Committe of Public Information of a commission to film a series of single reel features on "The Wonders of Our War Work," and to circulate them through the medium of the Universal exchanges, one every other week. The first five of these subjects have already been suggested and written by Rufus Steele, the famous magazine writer and novelist, best known as author of "The Eagle's Wings," a film which played a remarkable part in preparing this country for the industrial mobilization which is to win the war. Mr. Steele was drafted into the service of his country and is now a member of the Division of Films, Committee of Public Information. The following letters between Mr. Steele and R. H. Cochrane, vice-president of Universal, are the result of the negotiations between the government and Universal, and they form the contract on which Universal will start work at once. Mr. R. H. Cochrane, Vice-President, Universal Film Co., 1600 Broadway, New York City. Dear Mr. Cochrane: Confirming our verbal agreement of today : The Division of Films will undertake to supply your company with government subjects in detail, with lists of locations and permits to film same, in consideration of your agreeing to picture such subjects and to circulate each as a one-reel release, in a series to be designated and advertised under the general title of "Wonders of Our War Work./' It is understood that the series is to be an every-other-week release. A list of the first five subjects, as discussed with you today, is enclosed. Additional subjects will be proposed to you at an early date, and added to the list upon being found mutually satisfactory. The government's approval through the Committee on Public Information is to be embraced in a simple formula to follow the title. Will you please write me, signifying your agreement to these general conditions? We feel that this series is a really notable undertaking. It should prove a satisfactory commercial venture for you, and more than that, it should serve the high purpose of acquainting the American people with some of the big and important phases of their war. Universal's interest in this series and our own are identical, and we wish to do everything possible to give the greatest merit to each release and to promote its farthest circulation. Anticipating a harmonious and pleasant working arrangement with your company, I am, Yours very truly, (Signed) RUFUS STEELE, Division of Films Committee on Public Information, Washington, D. C. New York Office, Times Building, New York City. Mr. Rufus Steele, Division of Films, Committee on Public Information, Times Building, New York City. Dear Mr. Steele : On behalf of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, I accept the general conditions outlined in your letter of May 29, whereby you propose to supply us with government subjects in detail, with lists of locations and permits to film them, in consideration of our agreeing to picture such subjects and to circulate each as a one-reel release in a series to be designated and advertised under the general title of "Wonders of Our War Work," every other week. We gladly undertake our part of the work, not because we believe it a profitable commercial venture (because we do not), but because we feel it highly desirable that the American public be kept acquainted with the great work that is being done. Our attitude from the beginning of the war has been that the screen is the logical medium for telling the American people the whole story of the war and we have been glad to do our share at our own expense. I want to congratulate you, personally, for hitting upon the most practical and sensible plan yet devised for keeping the public well posted and still handling it in such a manner that it leaves the picture companies free to handle it to the very best possible advantage for all concerned. Sincerely yours, UNIVERSAL FILM MFG. COMPANY, Vice-President. The interesting character of the subject matter treated in the first five features may be judged by a short synopsis of each: "RECLAIMING THE SOLDIER'S DUDS." — Soldiering is extremely hard on uniform, shoes and hat. After a few weeks these are no longer fit for use. It has been customary to throw them away. Now the quartermaster's department has put into operation the greatest reclamation plant on record. _ A cast-off uniform is dry-processed so that it is absolutely clean and fresh. Then all worn parts are replaced. The shoes are recobbled and go back to the same feet that wore them out. Fifty thousand pairs of worn shoes are seen in one pile waiting cobbling. The hat is cooked up and the felt pressed into a brand new lid. "THE AMERICAN INDIAN GETS INTO THE WAR GAME."— The Indian is the big surprise of the war. Five thousand are in soldier uniform, 85 per cent being volunteer enlistments. They are doing good work. Indian women and girls wear_ the Red Cross uniform and are turning out quantities of knitting and bandages. Indians are raising cattle, sheep and hogs for the Allies. The tribes together have bought $12,000,000 worth of Liberty bonds. Distant scenes will be filmed and sent in, and for the main part of the reel all the activities of the great Carlisle Indian School, near Harrisburg, Pa., will be used. "WHEATLESS WEDNESDAYS AND WHAT FOLLOWS." — The quantity of grain saved every time a wheatless Wednesday is observed is shown and that grain is followed through the mills, to the shipping ports and to Europe, where it is shown feeding our soldiers and our Allies. "SECRETARY LANE MAKES WAR ON ILLITERACY AMONG GROWN-UPS." — A picture interview with striking illustrations in which Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane shows the operation of the new Americanization plan which leaves in the army and out of it no A high point in the new Fox feature, "The Scarlet Road," starring Gladys Brockwell.