Reel and Slide (Jan-Sep 1919)

REEL and SLIDE 21 SCENARIO PRODUCTION DISTRIBUTION MOTION pictures of a novel sort, taken in Cuba under the auspices of the big Havana newspaper, El Mundo, were shown before the American Manufacturers' Export Association in the Hotel McAlpin, New York, June 18. The views shown were not of the conventional sort. Styled a "Commercial Travelog of Cuba," the film showed only scenes which would be of significance to manufacturers, exporters and merchants. Every view had some exclusive feature tending to clarify trade conditions. An address on trade opportunities for the United States in Cuba was made, with comments on the film by Arthur Liebes of New York. The production of this novel film review of commercial Cuba was sponsored by El Mundo with the purpose of promoting more cordial business relations between the wealthy Antilles and the States. This newspaper, considered as progressive in its field as the big journals of New York and London in their own, gave its endorsement to visualizing many of the things that might prove an eye-opener to Americans. A crew of camermen from the Eastern Motion Picture Company of New York took every scene at the direction of the Latin American trade expert, who chose subjects for filming. It is now intended to show these pictures before various commercial bodies throughout the United States, both as an example of the enterprise of El Mundo and as a constructive aid to intensive merchandising of American products in the Caribbean. One of the subjects covered in the pictures is the dress of the natives. It is a revelation to see how well dressed even the working people are, and the display of taste is considerable. "Shots" were taken of factory employees pouring out of buildings at the lunch hour in their ordinary at• tire. After their good appearance one is rather prepared for a number of peeps into the homes of the rich, to find a display of elegance and even opulence that reminds one of European art galleries. In fact, as the lecturer announced, most of the statuary and bric-a-brac is imported from France or Italy. It is stated that the same sort of goods could just as easily be sold from this country. * sfc % Views of the great plantations and industries at Chaparras and Delicias were shown to indicate that native capital can do big things. The properties of Senor Pote, which he values at $14,000,000, were not less interesting than the owner himself, a plain and democratic citizen, with a town residence like a prince's, but who is equally at home doing much manual labor about the sugar mill. The leading retail stores of Havana as reviewed in the film showed in nearly every instance splendid stocks, but with some exceptions were scarcely equipped with the efficiency devices that make retail merchandising in this country a fine art. American machinery, to judge from the pictures, not only dominates the field, but has wonderful opportunities in addition. Also, the partiality of the Cuban of means for automobiles and trucks of various kinds was strongly indicated. It probably was surprising to most of those who viewed the film to see how real estate development is progressing in and about Havana. The most ambitious residential developments in this country seem to be paralleled in Havana, with the added feature that stone is preferred for construction. The manufacturers witnessing the picture commented on the scenes showing the comparative consequences of American and European methods of packing merchandise. Some flagrant instances of poorly packed American goods were presented, while the French and Italian goods showed extreme care and forethought in packing. The camera took the cases progressively during the unpacking to show each detail. The comparison as to condition of the product after the unpacking was all in favor of the foreign methods. Some heavy losses to somebody were indicated in the American style. It was evident, however, that it was due to the exporters' lack of information as to transportation and handling conditions. The El Mundo series of films, it is believed, will inaugurate a new fashion of international trade investigation. To present graphically illuminating discoveries that will correct misunderstanding between the merchants of mutually interested countries, no medium is as impressive and efficient as the screen. It adds the convincing note of actual experience to the information presented. * * * When moving picture producers shifted from shooting outside scenery to inside settings, some years ago, they immediately recognized the many advantages of sectional bookcases, and consequently these sections have been shown ever since on the screen in almost every library scene, but never especially featured. Now, however, a film has been produced featuring GlobeWernicke bookcase sections, demonstrating their necessity, convenience and beauty in the home and in a most convincing manner. Following is the scenario : Opening Title— WHERE IS THAT BOOK? The first scene opens showing an untidy living room with books scattered on the mantel, table, chairs and everywhere. The husband enters, and after searching high and low for a book impatiently calls his wife and they both search in every conceivable place and finally give up in despair and anger. It is plain a family storm is brewing, when a happy thought occurs to the husband. Sub-Title— THEY BOUGHT A GLOBEWERNICKE SECTIONAL BOOKCASE Scene two shows the husband enthusiastically arranging GlobeWernicke Sec• tions one above the other into a beautifully attractive bookcase, and then standing back and admiring his new possession most contentedly. As this scene fades off and the next one appears, the following title is shown : MAKES HOUSEKEEPING SO MUCH EASIER In Scene three, the room is in perfect order, the books are in their places in the new bookcase, and as the man and wife enter she quickly selects from the bookcase the particular book he desires to read,, and they both register great satisfaction and happiness. The first part of this film explains the utility, practicability, portability, convenience and beauty of GlobeWernicke Sections ; then follows a most remarkably artistic effect showingin the background the Pyramids of Egypt, and outlined against them : GLOBE-WERNICKE SECTIONAL BOOKCASES BUILT TO ENDURE which fades into the name of the GlobeWernicke dealer and his address, and everybody is urged to visit his store and. examine the sections in many woods and: finishes and without obligation. The film is 125 feet long. » * » A series of pictures being made by the Universal Industrial Department for the Korry Krome Leather Company of Curry, Pa., promise to be a most interesting educational feature. Under the personal direction of Mr. Harry Levey, manager of the department, these pictures are to be given wide circulation in theaters and othersources. Korry Krome sole leather for several months has been made the object of national advertising campaigns, through several channels. These campaigns are to be augmented by this series of pictures. The series opens with several scenes showing the receipt of the raw hides at the factory • stations, and their distribution over the plant. The spectator is then taken through the plant, being shown in detail every step taken in the evolution of the hide from its raw state until it leaves the factory in the form of soles and taps. Several hundred persons employed at the plant are given parts in the production, and an interesting continuity has been arranged. Among the more interesting steps shown in the film are scenes showing the hides' being placed in liquor vats, their removal, and their transportation in huge quantities from one section of the large plant to another. The process of curing and treating the hides until they are ready to be cut into the products of the company is very interesting, and lends itself to picturesque photographv. E. J. CLARY. The recent educational releases, "The Eagle and the Fawn" and "The Passing of the Crow," will be followed shortly by other single-reel subjects with all-Indian players, according to an announcement by Vice-President E. W. Hammons of the Educational Films Corporation of America. The technical crew and cameraman are at work at Sheridan, Wyo., and work on new productions is proceeding rapidly under the direction of Dr. J. E. Maple, who produced the first two subjects. A laboratory has been built to make it possible to develop negative and working positive prints on the ground, and the equipment is complete for the filming of the new subjects. Many pictures have been made with whites in the role of Indians, but their acting is unreal.