Photoplay (May 1921)

Paul Thompsoa. A study of the interested spectators — all immigrants — -as they watch a motion picture provided by L-ommissioner Wallis at Ellis Island. Making Americans by Movies Turning Ellis Island into a theater — idealism and usefulness taught by means of the screen. By MAX WATSON NEVER in the history of the entire world has there been such a wholesome migration of people as that now contemplated from the lands of war-stricken Elurope to tiie United States. This flood of immigrants which is besieging our shores presents one of the most \-ital issues with which this country is confronted. What brings the immigrant to America and how he can best be assimilated after he arrives, so that he may cjuickly assume the responsibilities of citizenshi]), are two serious problems. Just as the motion picture has its influence on nearly e\ery important event today, so we find the motion picture as a factor in stimulating immigration and then acting as the most important means by which the newcomer can be .Americanized. The picture is the world's chief form of recreation; it teaches 0!ir children in schools; it records daily e\ents; it instructs our mechanics to more efficient workmanship; it helps to sell the ])roducts of our factory and now it assumes a new task in helping to make good American citizens from the millions who are crowding through our gates. What part is the motion picture taking in relation to this \ital flood of humanity? How can the jjicture assume a still more imi)ortant part in making sure that thasc timid but eager newcomers will be an asset rather than a detriment to our nation? Our search for the answer to the first of these questions takes us across the water to some little city in Spain, CzechoSla\ia, Italy, Norway, Finland, or perhaps e\en Estonia. It would be a strange land for the American — the queer mode of dress, the strange language, the old world buildings. He would feel very much like a lost soul until he suddenK came upon the cinema theater. Then his heart would gi\e a Ijound as if he had suddenly caught sight of the Stars and .Strii:es, for there in front of the theater would be unmistakable e\ idence of \'ankee-land. A decijihering of the announcement would most likely prove that the main feature was a western serial thriller; a story with the "Yankee jjunch" that makes it so I)opular in Europe. If he should go inside he would find an eager crowd thrilled with the wonderful exploits of the beautiful American girl and the \aliant hero. He would see American dresses, .American food, American houses, American street cars and subwa\s, .American automobiles and. above all, .American libertx'. Where\er one goes the world o\er, from the interior of China to South Africa or from .Australia to Iceland, he finds the American mo\ ie, for ninety per cent of the motion jiictures of the world are .American. Is it an\' wonder that after this \isual feast of .America, Antonio Bertoloti or Juan Salizar or Knut Olson should say to his wife, "Don't you think I had better go to America? I will make a lot of money in the automobile factor}' or building sky-scrapers, and then you and the children come too and we will get rich and ha\e such a house and automobile as we ha\e just seen at the cinema." Thus the seed of the desire to come to America is sow u in e\ery corner of the world. When r|uestioning newly-arrived inmiigrants at Ellis Island concerning their knowledge of America gained through the motion ])icture, it was found that ( Continued on page 1 1 1 j