Reel and Slide (Mar-Dec 1918)

REEL and" SLIDE Dr. Reisner Adopts Screen For AH Religious Instruction GEORGE BERNARD SHAW says: "Motion pictures will form the mind of England," and adds later, "The discovery of motion pictures was more momentous than that of the printing press." What Mr. Shaw says of England is tremendously true in America._ Probably the three most influential mediums today in this country are the church, the newspaper, and motion pictures. The order need not now be decided. Motion pictures are the fifth industry in the land. Through them the saloons have been hard hit. Men formally went from small homes where discord and noise ofttimes upset them to find their company in the neighboring saloons. They now take their whole families to the picture show and spend the evening happily. When "John Barleycorn" was first produced, the liquor interests offered $25,000 to the owners of the picture if they would not show it in certain states until after the election. The saloonists frankly admitted that it would affect votes. Pictures will reach people when nothing else will. The tired will look and learn, the foreigners will read, even though English words cannot be understood. The illiterate will be awakened in thought by pictures when reading is impossible. The dull will shake off drowsiness and put on ambition and energy in the presence of many of them. The atmosphere is thoroughly democratic. The poor sit close to the millionaire for the price is within the reach of all. Motion pictures may become the great Americanizing institution. In fact, pictures have been a potent influence in awakening patriotism and in merging the people together in recent months. President Wilson wisely called in Mr. Bi-ady, the president of the National Board of Producers, and reels were created and theaters oft'ered to co-operate. D. W. Griffith supervised a seven reel feature which was sent to Russia and shown free all over the country to prove there that America was actually preparing for war, and that we were honestly eager to help them retain their liberty. Paul Rainey, the courageous maker of animal pictures, went over with Pershing to give us a first-handed vision of the work of our boys. The training camps have been invaluably aided by motion pictures of actual maneuvering and fighting at the front. In fact, a motion picture recently produced makes it possible for soldiers to shoot moving objects and a mechanical devise immediately registers what part of the object was hit. Both Good and Bad Of course, there have been objections to motion pictures. At first they were crude and immediately catching the eye, became large money makers. This attracted many who had no principle or who were unconsciously ruled by the greed for gold. Pictures were ruined by yellow-hearted folks even as advertising was in the beginning. But every valuable thing gets purified. Ninety-eight per cent of the manuscripts submitted to the motion picture producers Pastor of Grace Church, New York City, Tells of Exhibitions and Tests Now Being Made In His Own Pulpit and Sunday School By The Rev. Christian F. Reisner, (Pastor, Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, New York City). are rejected today. Money making is not so abundant and the business must be reduced to a real science. Vampires do not receive the largest salaries. The best fun democracy that does not root its faith in a Father God. Immorality in public word or picture will destroy faith as frost does blooming fruit. It, therefore, behooves the church and motion pictures to work together most heartily, earnestly and constantly, for then the construction of virile citizens becomes possible. Edison Makes Bible Scenes The first multiple reel feature was a religious one, made by George Kleine and entitled "Quo Vadis." Edison began early to picturize Bible scenes and characters, but because of the great caution of the church and the early impossibility of securmg economical machines, these pictures ' Technically correct Bible pictures are now being made by many important companies. This is a scene from "From Manger to Cross," produced in the Holy Land by the Kalem Company. maker is gradually slipping out of popularity because he slips too much into the suggestive. The greatest successes are those who make clean pictures like Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. It. was the writer's privilege to address the National Convention of Producers and Exhibitors last July. Never in his experience was he so heartily received or so enthusiastically applauded as when he proposed that churches and motion pictures should work together, both in producing and in exhibiting. And since that time very hearty co-operation has been offered by the producers. . No nation can preach and fight for were not profitable. These same pictures are now, however, coming into wide use, even though they are worn and poor productions. The Edison company is making an attractive, entertaining group of desirable pictures for churches called the "Conquest Pictures." These pictures are well made and will set a new standard in quality, undoubtedly. It is sometimes difficult to get many religious reels for Sunday evening in the churches. There is one, however, which can be taken as a pattern for others. Nothing more realistic, beautiful, impressive and teachful could be shown than the Kalem