Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1914)

274 ■■■llliilliii^ THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD Moving Picture Educator .^iii AT HOME AND ABROAD. ALTHOUGH there is at present one of those periodic "lulls" in the general exhibition of moving pictures in which they seem to be only "marking time," there is a noticeable development of educational Kinematography in all parts of the world. The practical value of the moving picture is daily being tested and approved. In London recently an exhibition, held especially for the purpose of securing the attendance of the highest authorities both governmental and educational, was a success. The promoters declared that the object of this demonstration was "To show the opportunities which exist for using the moving picture in extending a knowledge of the world and its peoples among school children, for brightening their intelligence, and improving their powers of observation." The outcome: marked a distinct advance in the English capital for the broadest class of educational moving picture exhibitions. .'\nother special exhil>ition was given in a university town to test the nature of the response from a student community. The result was both disappointing to the organizers and discreditable to the student body. It appears that the students, with the traditional sclioolboy aversion to study, claimed the moving picture exhibition as only and nece-^sarily amusing, and found little pleasure in attending anything educational outside of the classroom. The promoters of this experiment give as their experience, the fact that students welcome the moving picture to teach them in study hours, but want it to amuse them at other times. They also found that the so-called "middle class" were those who gave the most cordial welcome to the educational program. This accords with the general experience in America, that the great solid middle class of society, intelligently and numerically the strongest body of people, are those who give most cordial welcome to the intelligent program. It should be noticed that in all these above named instances the subjects shown were always of a varied character to avoid sameness and monotony and also always relieved with a touch of the humorous. The French bulletin of the Chamber of Comtnerce officiall>announces the popularity of the moving picture in the Orient, Turkey and Egypt now exceeding Greece in the strength of business done. At the present time, says the report, "French films are by far the most popular, although American films are not despised." The one firm of film manufacturers in Greece has so far only produced topical and scenic pictures, but intends soon to produce spectacular ones using the "natural beauties and historical monuments which aliound in the land." A Special Church Program. From Pasadena, California, comes the report of a successful church use of moving pictures upon a well organized plan which, because of its evidently coinmendable character, we publish in the language of our correspondent who was present: "I attended the services last evening and was delighted; the first film shown was a Pathe scenic; then the choir sang a number from 'Tannhauser,' followed by a few remarks from the minister who pointed out that the appeal to the eye is just as legitimate as the appeal to the ear, and who went on to indicate the lesson taught by the story of Tannhauser, 'The way of the transgressor is hard,' and the prodigal son parable; then the 'Tannhauser' films were shown, and several numbers — notably the 'Pilgrims Chorus' — played on the organ. The doxology and benediction closed the service, which as far as I could judge from the number of the congregation around me as we passed out of the ■church, was impressive and helpful: nothing of the message was lost in the telling. Next Sunday evening, the service is to be on human degeneration and regeneration, with 'Silas Marner' as the feature film. There is to be a regular Friday evening service, or program, in which educational ideals will be the central note, especially for the children. "Tickets were sold at the door, ten cents, and no collection ■of any kind taken up. The charge for admission is to be continued until the machine is paid for, I believe. It is aj wise measure anyhow because free and 'silver collection'! events are always packed to the doors." This example may worthily be followed by many others. It is one of the best m.ethods of dealing with the controversial spirit shown in many i^laces and clears the way to secure a proper adjustment of the moving picture in religious uses. In America while the large cities are being agitated by the question of the moral and social film the educational picture is steadily gaining in its manifold application. The government is using it with lecture courses in all its departments now, while among the churches its growth is very largely increasing. Agreeably with advice given on this page, a clergyman who could not secure the exhibition in his church, arranged a program with a nearby exhibitor and began a series of helpful evenings with subjects according to his ideas in the moving picture house. In scholastic circles we understand that the Gunnery School, Washington, Conn., has recently installed an Edison Model B machine and asbestos booth, this outfit having been supplied by the Picture Theater Equipment Co., of New York City. With the continuance of these reports from churches and schools, there is a steady and constant indication of the progress of the work in which we are so vitally engaged. .\ prominent Massachusetts clergyman, writing, asking for information on religious and educational pictures says: "1 am preparing a paper on the motion picture theater, which may have some influence on a pending public issue. My own feelings are favorable to the moving picture side, but I wish to be accurate in my statements, I am especially desirous of learning to what extent the educational films liave been developed, and the possibility of the motion picture along educational, ethical, and religious lines." Questions like this are indicative of the state of Kinematography in the educational world at large. SUNDAY SERVICES IN PICTURE THEATER. The Grand Motion Picture Theater, of Redlands, Cal., is being put to a new use on Sunday evenings, when it is engaged by the Men's Bible Class of the First Presbyterian Church for evangelistic services. The meetings are held every few weeks and are undenominational, their object being to get hold of non-churchgoers. A good speaker is secured and words of hymns witli well-known tunes are thrown on the screen so that all may join in the singing. Two reels of film are shown — one a religious, and the other an educational. The meetings so far held have been highly successful and it looks as if the class may be in the way of solving the important problem of how to reach the persistent non-churchgoers. EQUIPMENTS IN Y.M.C.A. AND Y.W.C.A. HALLS. To add to their efficiency along educational and social lines, the large Twenty-third Street branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, in New York City, and the Young Women's Christian Association, of Newark, New Jersey, have both installed complete moving picture equipments, including screens, booths and Power's machines. The installations were taken care of by the Picture Theater Equipment Company, of New York City. It is pleasing to those who have the best interests of the industry at heart to see the possibilities of the pictures becoming more and more recognized by the people at the head of institutions such as the above. AN INDUSTRIAL DRAMA. The pottery industry has been chosen to lend educational value to an already fascinating drama by the American Film Mfg. Co. The actors are engaged in various occupations and perform their work with such apparent interest that it is with difficulty they are distinguished from the regular force. The picture will be named "At tlie Potter's Wheel."