Moving Picture Age (Jan-Dec 1920)

18 MOVING PICTURE AGE May, 1920 Films, Slides, Singing and Information Combined in a Constructive Program By E. B. Mero (Manager Service Unit of B. Y. M. C. Union, Boston, Mass.) Continuing activities in its chosen field of providing wellrounded programs for general civic and social information, and for more specific Americanism purposes, the Service Unit of Boston, Mass., has recently devised a constructive series of "Building a Nation" programs, which assist in the timely process of "Selling America to Americans." There are three programs in the series. Each consists of the combination typical of all Service Unit programs, namely, moving pictures and picture slides of events that have contributed to the making of this country, mass singing by the audience with a song leader of songs in harmony with the program, "silent talks" on the screen conveying constructive comments and information relating to national problems of the day by means of slides, and a suggestive patriotic feature always in evidence. These programs were worked out by the Service Unit organization in co-operation with a committee of the city of Boston community center managers who acted as critics and censors. During January, February and March this series of three citizenship programs has been scheduled in each of the Boston school centers to audiences of men and women as well as to special audiences of older school children. Two series have been presented to audiences of soldiers of the United States Army. The "Building of a Nation" programs were created for citizenship work of the Boston department for extended use of public A traveling outfit of the Service Unit used on a tour of New England for the American Red Cross. schools, but have been available for use in other communities after the first of March. This is a direct effort to apply Americanism education and information by visual means and by a balanced combination of films, slides, and singing, coupled with an atmosphere in harmony with the purpose aimed at. It may be of interest to note a comment made by the United States Commissioner of Education, P. P. Claxton: "I have read with much interest the three 'Building a Nation' programs, which have been arranged by the Service Unit of Boston. Everyone of these programs seems to be well planned to give such knowledge of the growth of democracy in the United States and of democratic institutions as is needed by all who would perform intelligently the duties of American citizenship." Each program covers a separate period in the national development of the United States as follows : Program A — "The Founding of America." To help us renew our knowledge of the foundations of American citizenship. Period — From the discovery of this continent to the establishment of the United States government. Program B — "American National Development." To show the advance of the United States toward national unity. Period — From the first president, through the Civil War, and to the World War. Program C — "Problems and Glories of American Democracy." Presenting constructive features of the United States, from which to gain a renewed appreciation of the advantages of being Americans. Period — From 1914 to the reconstruction period of today. The moving pictures fitted to these programs have been acquired by considerable time and effort, as will be appreciated by anyone who has undertaken a similar task. A feature which is unique with Service Unit Programs is the use of "silent talks" with pep, punch and purpose. These visual screen messages are tersely expressed, carefully condensed lecturettes on slides, on such subjects as these: "History to Help Us Advance," pointing out that events of the past are useful sign-posts to the present and future. "People and Doings of Yesterday and Today," a reminder that what has happened may happen again. "Are We Doctors or Patients?" to inspire readers in an audience toward a personal consideration of whether they want to help or hinder the country's true progress. "Suggestions as to Citizenship Today," with comments and inspirational quotations for 100 per cent Americans and for doubtful citizens. "Common Sense," and how its use by the founders of this nation may be wisely followed by the present generation in the midst of today's coimplications. "Man and Humanity," a result of the world war that needs be kept in plain sight in these days of readjustment. "Comments on Current Events," in which appear serious and semi-serious editorial quotations from the daily and weekly press. (This idea, used in Service Unit Programs for two or three years, has lately become a feature of motion picture theater programs.) "Illustrated Story of American Democracy," in which the leaders of thought and action from the birth of the nation to its present period bring their personal message to Americans who are their successors. "Who Won the War — and How?" with a plain lesson for those who would win for right in the struggle now going on. These "silent talks" usually include original or reproductive illustrations and cartoons. Those who are concerned about the educational possibilities of moving pictures and slides will be interested to know that the audiences to whom the progress of this country has been set forth by these programs have shown an evidence of genuine interest in history so visualized. It is very doubtful whether the same people would have read any book or absorbed equally well from any lecture an equal amount of information concerning the country in which they live. The Service Unit organization is willing to provide information concerning the use of these programs or otherwise taking advantage of the Service Unit idea by organizations or communities. As over 1,200 programs have been arranged for that number of audiences with an aggregate attendance of two and a half million people, considerable practical experience has been acquired. Not being in business and not having any commercial entanglements the Service Unit is quite free to extend its usefulness within or outside its present New England section of the country, without needing to insure anything further than the actual expenses involved, the main proviso being that the work be done for or in co-operation with an industrial, social or civic agency of approved character. Birmingham Ledger Publishes Sunday Page of Children's Screen Pictures Motion picture theaters of Birmingham, Ala., with the cooperation of one of the leading daily papers of that city, are getting some very excellent advertising and, what's more, are getting it virtually free of charge, through an arrangement that could easily be made in other cities. The Birmingham Ledger every Sunday publishes a full page devoted to the children. There are pictures and stories dear to the hearts of the kiddies, but prominently featured on this page is a department devoted to the screen as it concerns the children. The caption over this department reads as follows : "Mrs. Myrtle Trout Tells Children the Movies They Should See This Week." Then across two columns is a letter addressed to the children by Mrs. Trout, and in this letter she tells the kiddies the pictures that would interest them and that are billed to show at the local theaters during the coming week. From an advertising standpoint this plan is a good one and the Birmingham picture houses are now running in their advertising a sort of trade-mark that has evolved from it — "Better Films for the Entire Family." Those who have the best interests of the moving picture at heart and who have tried to bring the church and theater into accord will be interested to learn that "Broken Blossoms," D. W. Griffith's United Artists production, was recently exhibited at the Universalist church, Bridgeport, Conn. The event is worthy of record in that it marks the adoption by the clergy of a powerful sermon in film story form. In an editorial the Waterbury Herald made this comment on the exhibition : "If Christ were to come to Bridgeport tonight and see the moving picture in the Universalist church it seems to me that He would say : 'How I wish I might have had such a means to assist me in preaching the sermon on the mount.' Do not worry or be shocked if modern churches are using moving pictures to drive home the teachings of Christ. Christ Himself would be happy to know that moving pictures are being used to teach men to love their neighbor, not to bear false witness, not to murder and not to steal."