National Board of Review Magazine (Jan 1933 - Dec 1935)

6 going to save the world and we are not going to save the movie, but we have certain functions to perform, and through the film club we may realize the conception of the movie, whether entertainment or instructional or educational, because it is a medium of propaganda and influence. I would say, then, that the film club is to the audience generally what the critic is to the spectator ; that is, the film club provides the critical audience. But I do not want it to end there. I have no feeling for, no faith in the film club, in the esoteric film club, which wants to remain apart from the general problem of the motion picture. That is why I rather dislike the idea of such high rates beingasked for membership in these organizations, but the -situation at present makes it necessary in order to pay the expenses. In London there is the largest of all film clubs, the London Film Society, and the London Film Society has been influential because its audiences number some two thousand, which is already a mass audience, so to speak ; and that was possible in London because of the absence of Sunday afternoon showings so that people could come to showings of the Film Society. The influence was through the large membership, and eventually theatres began to take the films recommended by the Film Society. Also, the Film Society through its efforts weakened the political censorship, so that certain important Russian films like Potemkin and Mother were able to be shown to general audiences. The film club has to correlate its programs in two directions, the aesthetic and the social. In the aesthetic direction it has to take part in the history and evolution of the motion picture. That is why sometimes it is important to show pictures which may not be today so entertaining, but which are important in what they have contributed to the history of the film. Then, in the social direction, it must correlate the movie with the manifestations of society. Therefore, in the end it must show National Board of Review Magazine those pictures which are important to what is occurring in society, and I, for one, though I am supposed to be a critic of art, maintain that purpose is the more important, the social purpose. I say otherwise the film club is nothing but a high hat affair and no art can be furthered by being isolated in exclusive circles. That is why I am interested in what has been begun in the way of these Motion Picture Study Clubs, in the Better Films Councils, because the tie-up with the community is present. Peace Film MUST WAR BE? is the title of a five reel educational picture produced by the Peace Films Foundation. It depicts in a dramatic way the struggle which has been going on since the Armistice between the forces trying to organize permanent peace and those tending to perpetuate the war system. It is a sound picture throughout making it possible not only to reproduce historical events more realistically but also to provide a running comment which gives much better continuity than silent titles. The film is well adapted for use by schools, colleges, churches and peace societies and has been endorsed by the World Alliance for International Friendship through Churches, Committee on International Relations of the American Association of University Women, President of the Council of Congregational Women of Connecticut, Students International Union, League of Nations Association and Federal Council of Churches. Details regarding the film and the programs of organizations sponsoring it can be learned by addressing the Peace Films Foundation, 18 E. 41st St., New York City. Did you receive a copy of the Annual Catalog of Selected Pictures, 1932-1933? If not send for one today, it contains interesting material in addition to pictures.