Moving Picture Age (Jan-Dec 1922)

18 MOVING PICTURE AGE January, 1922 WELL, WHY NOT? C. M. Tingle Supervisor in Visual Instruction, Mississippi A. & M. College GETTING rid of "boarders" — machines which have been developed to the productive stage, but which are a bit reluctant in departing from the family fireside, so to speak, and performing their intended function in civil life, thus tying up productive capital and occupying expensive storage room — is one of the problems of a great number of motion-picture projector producers during these lean days of our national existence. The Needed Unifier The crying need of rural communities, especially in the South, is a nucleus for the formation of community spirit— a thing that will often bring these people together for a period of merrymaking, of laughing together and crying together ; a something that will give them frequent opportunities for discussing their common problems and exchanging experiences. And now for the power that is to bring about this transformation, the same force that has been so effective in the social development of urban life : the motion-picture projector. One of many reasons why the projector has not been playing and does not at the present time play a more important part in rural community life, especially in those rural sections where its services are yet a novelty, is that the manufacturer is afraid to trust this delicate bit of mechanism to unknown hands some few hundred miles from his factory. Moreover, the people of the community, although needing -this service, have not as yet had their desire developed to such a high point as to cause them to place an order for a machine of which they know nothing, and with a company whose existence is merely a myth. Establishing Contact Perhaps a story will best present my plan as to how this may be done effectively. Some of us have recollections of a period some years ago, when typewriters were first being presented to the public. A man burdened with a heavy box, and mopping his brow, walked into the office and persuaded us to keep the box for him for a brief time, after an explanation that it contained something very valuable and that he had absolutely no other place to leave the box. Our curiosity had become most acute when in a day or two he returned and requested the privilege of using one corner of a table for the purpose of writing some letters. We willingly assented, with the hope that before he left he might voluntarily or accidentally divulge the secret contained in that queershaped box. To our surprise he immediately broke open the box, removed a queer-appearing machine from its depths and placed it on the table, inserted a sheet of paper in some way, and began pecking on some protruding round keys arranged along its front in a triple deck. Then he lifted up a roller which we have since learned to call the platen, and pulled out a perfectly legible letter all done up in print for our admiration. After informing us that if we desired we might keep the machine for use in our business for a few days, he departed. Needless to say, we soon realized the value of the typewriter, and when the clever salesman returned we purchased. The portable projector is, of course, a very delicately and finely wrought piece of mechanism, and cannot be left around as carelessly as a typewriter. However, it is my opinion that, if a distributor places a projector in the hands of. any responsible person in a community where electric current is sufficient for the proper operation of his machine, nine times out of ten a purchase will be made, or from the salesman's way of speaking, "a prospect will be sold." I have known instances where a man really desired purchasing a certain make and type of projector; but because the distributors of this particular machine were reluctant in placing the machine in his hands for trial, no sale was made. Another company placed with him a demonstrator of a make for which he cared absolutely nothing, just for his use for two or three weeks, or for a month or two if he so desired; and at the termination of the loan period the machine was sold. Visualization Activities in New Jersey AT the September meeting of the Newark Public School Visual Education Club demonstrations of the latest ideas in stereopticon projection were presented by the representatives of three concerns. The program for the October meeting was entitled "Dream Pictures," and consisted of a novel combination of visual and musical instruction. A collection of photographically excellent and beautifully tinted slides of American and foreign scenery was used in a double-lens stereopticon with a dissolving effect that merged each slide pleasingly into the following slide. A carefully selected musical program of victrola records was so synchronized with the pictures that the slides and records literally co-operated in stimulating the desired emotions. A. G. Balcom, assistant superintendent of schools of Newark, has been speaking before the various county institutes of New Jersey under the auspices of the State Board of Education, his topic being "The Appeal of the Eye in Teaching." He especially urged that teachers make a larger use of visual aids in their work. Also, early in December Mr. Balcom conducted a private showing of two health films at the Hamilton School in Newark. The pictures screened were "The Priceless Gift of Health" and "Care of the Teeth"— the former a demonstration of the necessity for guarding the physical welfare of the child, the latter a detailed portrayal of the need for and the methods of dental hygiene. Those present were dental and medical members of the Newark school system, the director of physical culture and his assistants, and the entire nursing staff of the Newark schools. The close of the Newark summer schools and playgrounds was marked by the filming of a patriotic pageant presented by the children themselves. The scenario was prepared by William J. McKiernan, director of pageants and dramatics of the Board of Education. The picture is entitled "Pied Piper's Land," and it may be said to represent the longing of the soul to dispense with human limitations and oppression that, stand in the way of any individual's fullest happiness. The film shows America as the land of greatest opportunity, and pictures the results of the training afforded by Newark's excellent system of summer playgrounds. Rev. Smith Publishes Serial As Pamphlet BEGINNING in the November, 1920, issue of Moving Picture Age, and terminating in the April, 1921, number, appeared a serial article by Rev. Roy L. Smith, of Minneapolis, who is now a Contributing Editor of Moving Picture Age. This discussion, entitled "How Our Church Uses Moving Pictures," is an unusually capable and comprehensive treatment of a subject toward which every pastor seeking the highest degree of service for his church maintains either an enthusiastic or at least an open-minded attitude. Expressions of interest and approval have so demonstrated the church workers' appreciation of this serial that Rev. Smith, with the collaboration of the Methodist Committee on Conservation and Advance, has brought it forth in pamphlet form to satisfy the demand. The chapter titles will indicate the scope of the material contained : "Getting Our Church into the Picture Business" ; "The Purpose of the Picture Program" ; "Pictures in the Community Program" ; "Pictures in the Educational Program" ; "Financing the Church Picture Program" ; "Some Problems and Some Results." The final chapter, entitled "A Trailer," contains miscellaneous information valuable to the non-theatrical exhibitor, and also an extensive list of concerns that distribute some amount of nontheatrical pictures. The booklet is of marked value to any church worker now using films, and constitutes a strong case in the eyes of the potential non-theatrical exhibitor who is waiting to be entirely convinced. The American Farm Bureau Federation, through Mr. E. L. Bill, in charge of motion pictures for the Federation, reports an unusual demand for the three films now being distributed, "Spring Valley," "The Homestead," and "At the National Swine Show." Six new prints of "Spring Valley" have been ordered, making a total of 14 prints of this film in circulation. "The Homestead" is a three-reel picture intended to create a desire for better methods of farm management. "Spring Valley" is a farm drama based upon the production and marketing problems of the farmer, and emphasizing the constructive value of the county, state, and national farm bureau. "At the National Swine Show" is described as "the next best thing to attending the show." These films are available to county farm bureaus and also to community clubs, churches, and agricultural institutions, and new productions will soon be added to the Federation's film library.