The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

324 MOVING PICTURE WORLD November 28, 1925 recognized by theatre and public alike, as playing an important role in news communication and in the life of the nation. "Like the great news syndicates, the Associated Press, the United Press, International News, of whose tremendous service the public is so fully aware, the Pathe News is now world-wide, its tentacles reaching into every nook and corner of the earth — civilized and uncivilized — its thousands of lenses focussed on every political development, witnessing the pageantry and the tragedy of every people; peering into the customs and habits of every land; holding the mirror to every phase of human activity everywhere. Role Is Different From Newspaper "Although its purpose is similar to that of the newspaper, the newsfilni plays a different role. Its objective is to bring its readers to the very scene of an event, making them eye-witnesses, so that they not only see what transpires but can feel its pulse. The deadly accuracy and the vivid realism of the newsfilni has brought it to the heights of purpose and utility which it now occupies. It has reeled its way into the confidence of millions of persons. One might saj' that it has won a place of afTection as w-ell as of trust. Supplementing the service of the country's great newspapers, this graphic portrayal is enabling the public to form clearer judgments of world events and guiding it to more intelligent understanding. "The excursion 'round the world on which it takes its readers in the fifteen minutes of each issue, as if on the vvfings of time, has made it possible for them to see and to become acquainted with other lands. The lions of Trafalgar Square are just as familiar to American audiences as the Woolworth Building to the Englishman. The sufferings of Japan in the tragic hours following the earthquake were felt from the screens of the globe. The remarkable achievement of America's Round the World Fliers was witnessed by Pathe News readers in every hamlet. "Am I presuming when I refer to what the newsfilm has accomplished and has the power still to accomplish in the way of fostering that understanding and amity between the peoples which statesmen are so eagerly striving for, as the basis for international good will and tolerance? The News pictures are within the grasp of every individual. All peoples, irrespective of thought, race, or creed find instantaneous expression and common understanding in the newsfilm. "Pathe News in fifteen years has filmed practically every important news event in the world. We shall produce the living proof before you this evening. The great poet who sighed, in hopelessness, 'O God, turn back the universe and give me yesterday' had never seen a newsfilm. Tonight we shall turn back the universe and show you yesterday. Records of Notable Events "The value of the newsfilm is going to be written on your minds forever after you travel back over the years with us. We shall see the world before the Great War. We shall view the personalities of the world's greatest men who have passed into the Great Beyond! We shall witness epochmaking events, some of which have changed the map of the world. When these pictures were taken they were just simple matters. Now, after surviving the whirlwind of the world's changes, they have a new significance which makes them the stage centers of the most gripping drama ever known. "Just suppose we had cameramen at Valley Forge ! And we could sit here and watch Washington and his freezing army of ragged patriots starving and bleeding for the wealth and freedom which we are enjoying tonight. One hundred years from now our descendants will feel the horror of the Great War and the undying heroism of all who fought in it. Suppose we had the newsfilm at Bunker Hill! At Lexington! At Yorktown ! What an imperishable history for us! Can you imagine being able to witness John Hancock signing the Declaration of Independence or Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Act? It would impress you, would it not? Even if we could witness our beloved Theodore Roosevelt thundering up San Juan Hill, we might feel as though we were being gifted by Providence with unearthly sight. Greatest Historian of All "Since 1910, however, such events, have been recorded for posterity. The newsfilm has come to be the greatest historian of all. Our presidents, our soldiers and our public men from now on will live forever. When our grandchildren read in their histories of some great political movement, some bitter struggles, some great victory won, they will look up from the printed word, and see as real as in the living flesh the men who did these things. How much better they will be able to understand ! It is because of these things that we feel the greatness of the newsfilm and why we wish to fittingly celebrate its achievements tonight. And as we view the film tonight, which we have entitled FLASHES OF THE PAST, it makes us wonder what the "Flashes of the Future" will be— vihat Destiny will inscribe on the celluloid pages of history. As the progress of human events marches on, perhaps this very method of news recording will itself be further perfected so as to be of still greater service to the public. Time and space in the transportation of films will be reduced and minimized. Who can foretell but that in our own lifetime we will see the day when motion pictures will be transmitted by the etheral waves of the radio, so that the public will be able to sit in its favorite theatre and w-atch the pictures of events throughout the world even as they are transpiring, when the whole world will be linked together in instantaneous understanding." The Chairman then stated that a telegram had been received from Will H. Hays saying that owing to the death of his father-in-law he was unable to be present. Mr. Coudert then read Mr. Hays' telegram : Will Hays' Telegram "It is with very sincere regret that I find I cannot be with you tonight. Had hoped until last moment that developments in Judge Thomas' condition might be encouraging enough to enable me to make the trip and get back in time, but this is now impossible. Physicians just concluding consultation advise that the end is iminent and I cannot leave. "I congratulate you on the great occasion itself and on your splendid commemoration of it. It is indeed an occasion of unusual significance. No story ever written for the screen is as dramatic as the story of the screen itself; and no phase of its development has been greater nor any element of its tremendous value more potent than the news weeklies. In this magnificent progress of usefulness Pathe News has played a most distinguished part. To that splendid service I pay tribute. For the last seven years of your fifteen my knowledge of your efforts has been intimate and my appreciation of your accomplishments has been very great. The record of Pathe News is itself a scenario of success with a continuity of uninterrupted and increasing usefulness. "The News weeklies are the most eflfective portion of motion picture entertainment everywhere and such appreciation measures exactly their consequent usefulness. And make no mistake about the importance of the motion picture in the fabric of our so(Continued on next page) BACK ON THE LOT— Jack L. Warner (left), Warner Brothers' production chief at the West Coast studios, welcomes Ernst Lubitsch and Mrs. Lubitsch on their return from a trip that included Toronto, zvhere the famous director made scenes for "Lady Windenicre's Fan," and Ne^v York, where he and his wife made still more friends.