Motography (Apr-Dec 1911)

22 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. VI, No. 1. Pictures m the Philippines Moving picture shows have penetrated the wildest and most remote parts of the Philippine Islands. After centuries of fruitless effort on the part of the Spaniards to wean the wild men from their unholy pastimes, it has remained for Uncle Sam to adopt the only means to reach their hearts, all with the assistance of the ever-fascinating moving picture show. The wild men have been taught the difference between the clean and unclean ways of living by means of graphic pictures thrown on the canvas. In the words of an official recently returned from among these people, "Just to watch the many emotions pictured on the faces of the former head hunters when the pictures were first shown was worth the many hardships endured to bring the word of civilization to these children. For they are but children in the simplest sense of the word. They sat on their haunches, or rather squatted in the fashion of the Indian, and there passed across the faces of all present all the emotions of which the human being is capable. Astonishment, amazement, incredulity quickly followed one upon the other, until it settled to one of extreme pleasure and satisfaction." Some of them afterward were heard to say it was the work of the devil. Others claimed it was magic, black art, and many other guesses were offered, but in the end all became apparently convinced the pictures came not from the devil, but were for their best interests. After the first show was over, in one of the small settlements of the Igorot country, it was interesting to see them minutely inspect the machine. It was hard for a while to get them near it, but after considerable persuasion they gingerly approached as if in fear it would go off. They would go over the stretched canvas and finger it as though looking for something hidden within, all the while with the greatest look of wonder and amazement on their faces. After several exhibitions showing scenes familiar to all, there was thrown on the screen a picture showing the streets and the houses in the various settlements, in all their old-time filth and dirt. Immediately following this a picture would appear showing the same streets and houses after they had been cleaned up. The pictures were explained by an interpreter, who accompanied the show. It was not long before the natives began to sit up and take notice. Many little things were done around their houses. From this time on they seemed to take an interest in their home surroundings, and now many of the nipa shacks, which formerly appeared about to tumble into the streets, present an altogether different appearance. Streets have been cleaned up. In fact, the moving picture show, so far as Uncle Sam in the Philippine Islands is concerned, has come to stay. It has been adopted as part and parcel of the system of education of the natives. Dean C. Worcester, Secretary of the Interior for the Philippine Islands, gives graphic description of the improvements which have been and are being made with the help of moving pictures, in a report just received by the Insular Bureau of the War Department. A number of photographs accompany this report, which show the natives "before and after taking" American civilization. Many of the pictures tell more graphic stories than the printed matter. Because of the many and peculiar dialects of the numerous tribes in the Philippines, especially among the non-Christian tribes, the work of the health authorities has proven particularly difficult. The work of improving the sanitary conditions in the huts and in the villages of the natives was slow until the officials hit upon the plan of using moving pictures. The novelty of the show appealed to the native at once, and he seemed to catch the idea and see how easily improvements could be made. The lessons which the pictures teach are being taken to heart by the natives. The officials are today pointing to clean houses and clean streets as the result of the campaign with the moving pictures. An extremely interesting set of pictures — illustrating "before and after taking" — submitted by Mr. Worcester, is that of three of a native _of the Islands, taken at intervals of a year apart. The first shows him as a head hunter, a savage in every respect ; the second shows him after one year's contact with Americans, and the third after two years' contact. The whole expression of the face in each of the three pictures shows a different degree of intelligence and civilization, the progress being easily noted. Another picture shows two Igorot girls weaving the celebrated Igorot matting. This matting is widely used, not only in the Philippines, but also in various parts of the world. Since America took over the Philippines, much of it is sent to the States, where it commands a ready sale. Every strand is woven by hand. Even with the crude contrivance now used by the natives, the work turned out is exquisite. The matting when completed is of many colors, usually with some design running lengthwise. It is not expensive in the Islands. When exported, the freight and duty, added to its original cost, will average the same price as good matting in this country. While, of course, the work of teaching the natives by means of moving pictures has been tried in many parts of the Islands, its success among the untutored savage Igorot, the Moros, and other non-Christian tribes has been so great from the start that Uncle Sam has now practically adopted this method as the most feasible means of teaching these natives in their own homes and villages the proper way to live. Even now, the officials say, the benefits are easily apparent, and it will not be many years before what was once dirty mud-hole settlements will be clean, thriving communities, where anyone may live without danger to health. Motion Pictures for Deaf A moving picture machine for the pupils at the Washington State School for the Deaf arrived recently, and it will be put into use at once. The deaf are particularly fond of watching moving pictures and can read the signs and motions of the actors on the canvas. The money for the machine was provided ■ by Oliver Byerly, a member of the recent legislature, who gave $1 to each of the 120 people. Frohman Begins Price Cutting Daniel Frohman has declared war against the moving picture shows by making the sharpest cut in gallery and balcony prices ever known in Chicago at the Powers' theater. From 75 cents, $1 and $1.50, the balcony seats are cut to 50 cents flat, all reserved. From 50 cents and 75 cents, the gallery prices are cut to 25 cents flat, all reserved.