Moving Picture Age (Jan-Dec 1922)

HIGHLIGHTS Films Reviewed by the Editor "The FOUR SEASONS" NATURE is with us always ; why should we halt to study her moods, her phases? The question might be reasonable if it were true that most of us understood natural phenomena to such a degree that we could find the joy and charm that only await our attention. But let me set the model in confessions by stating that in "The Four Seasons" I found information When the horns are shed I had forgotten and also information I had never possessed, and withal a child's joy in the very remarkable cycle of the seasons that passed before me. The method of procedure is as follows: In the first season are seen the animals and their environment. The deer, the bear, the beaver, the rabbit, the turkey, and others disport themselves without thought for the camera, and the result is a collection of animal photographs that is invaluable for the inquisitive growing child. Then, when we go on to the following season, the same animals are shown in their seasonal, clothing and environments ; and soon we have traced each creature through the complete year and understand how painstakingly and successfully the Creator cares for his dumb ones. Such phenomena as seasonal storms are portrayed, until at the terminus of the film we have in truth made the cycle of seasons. I have nothing but commendation for this picture. It was produced by Raymond L. Ditmars, curator of the New York Zoological Park, and it is an example of what may be accomplished in informational productions when the producer knows his subject and has the skill to convey photographically exactly what he knows should be conveyed to the group before the screen. The close glimpses of beavers at their building; the uncovering of the hibernated Mr. Woodchuck ; the rollickings of the polar bear — these are but hints of the contents of this markedly excellent picture. Another Kineto production that should interest every nontheatrical exhibitor is the "Famous Authors" series. The writer has seen two subjects in this series — "Henry Wadsworth Longfellow" and "Washington Trving" — and these two are of such calibre as to indicate that this series merits careful attention, both from the" exhibitor who seeks worthwhile material and from the exhibitor who is specially interested in working toward the better representation of literature upon the screen. In each subject a likeness and some information about the particular author are presented, followed by reproductions of characters and scenes made famous by the author's writings. I found the reproductions reasonably accurate, and the tone, of sincerity that pervades these films speaks well for their probable reception by exhibitors in schools and churches, and at other non-theatrical exhibitions. Both films are produced by the Kineto Film Company of America, 71 W. 23d Street, New York City. For AMERICANIZATION THIS film has marked significance in Americanization service as indicating the cosmopolitan nature of the population of our land, and as emphasizing the thought that accomplishment rather than nationality is the basis upon which a citizen of our land rises or falls. Although entitled "Yanks," and based upon a poem with a military theme, the lesson conveyed has civilian application. The first sergeant of the company is ordered to select a dozen men for a raiding party into the enemy's lines. The sergeant himself bears the name of a family of Irish fighting men, and the point cf the picture is found in the names and obvious nationalities of the enlisted men he selects for the dangerous assignment. Greek, Italian, Indian, Swede, blue-blood American, and so on — such is the variety of nationalities represented in the group of "first-class fighting men" when the last name has been called. It is interesting to note that this film was photographed at Camp Dix, New Jersey, and that every character, including the hard-jawed Irish sergeant, was chosen from the enlisted men in camp — a statement which proves that the cosmopolitanism portrayed in the film is more fact than fancy. This film should have value in any non-theatrical exhibition, but its biggest service would be found in its use before optiences of the foreign-born, with whom it would have considerable inspirational worth. "Yanks" is distributed by Community Motion Picture Service, Inc., 46 W. 24th Street, New York City, with branches in the larger cities. CONCERNING RUMINANTS IN "Ruminants," a film dealing with cud-chewing animals, will be found a picture of decided value in portraying the distinctive qualities of cows, deer, and other ruminants. Animated diagrams are employed to show the processes by which the ruminant digests its food, as well as scenes that depict the animals in their natural environments. The view of deer swimming from one shore to the other is one of the most remarkable scenes I have ever witnessed on the screen. The film gives a definite under Hllt— An unusual scene in "Ruminants" standing of ruminants, and merits a position in any complete educational-film library. This picture was produced and is distributed by Pathe Exchange, Inc., 35 West 45th Street, New York, with branches in the larger cities. 22