Visual Education (Jan-Dec 1921)

A Department of Beginnings 27 illustrate the work being considered at that particular time in the department of Physical Training. Along the same line some efforts have been made to provide films based on literary masterpieces studied in the English courses — though these cannot always be secured at the particular time they are wanted. Types of present day drama have been illustrated by "Lady Windermere's Pan," "Milestones," "If I Were King," "Doll's House," and "Shore Acres." The showing of these has generally been preceded by a short discussion at the chapel hour by a member of the English department, of the plot of the play and the particular characteristics of structure or the dramatic quality to be illustrated. Pictures to which the students are charged a small admission fee are frequently given on Friday or Saturday evenings, never during the school week. Since these are intended as part of the necessary recreational activities of the young people the picture is sometimes preceded by appropriate songs, readings, or aesthetic dances by the students themselves. To give only two: "Rio Grande" was embellished by a Spanish dance given by students in the Physical Training department, and "The Spell of the Yukon" and others of Service's poems were read by people from the Public Speaking classes as a prelude to the picture, "The Law of the Yukon." Inasmuch as these entertainments are well patronized by people from the surrounding community as well as by the students, an excellent opportunity is occasionally afforded for community singing. Frequently the songs selected have been appropriate for the particular picture, e.g., with "The Mark of Zorro," a group of Spanish songs, "Spanish Cavalier," "Andalusia," and "Juanita." The selection of these pictures is in the hands of a joint committee from the faculty and student body, composed of six members. They use as guides in making selections the selected lists of pictures published by many magazines and organizations throughout the country. Suggestions are often made by members of the faculty, student body, or townspeople who have seen a particularly good film which they think is especially adapted to presentation at the school. All the pictures are rented through the Isis Theater at Independence, Oregon. The Normal is thus able to buy cheaply a single picture from a group, a thing which would not otherwise be possible, and to secure well-known or new pictures soon after they are released. The students pay $1.00 each at the beginning of each term — twelve weeks — for which they receive eight pictures and one concert or lecture during the term. When the school first began to show pictures three years ago, there was no equipment whatever, in fact the first pictures were given on a borrowed machine. At present there are two motiograph machines — one de luxe, a mercury arcrectifier, a spotlight, a lantern, and various other equipment. These have all been purchased and entirely paid for out of the proceeds of the pictures. In all this work the fundamental aim at the back of the minds of the members of the committee and indeed of all faculty members is to help the students to formulate judgment regarding pictures in general by showing them some of the most worthwhile'material available, and thus to help them to set up standards by which to measure films in the Oregon communities into which they will go as teachers. The following list is given in the hope that some other committee may find it helpful: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp Anne of Green Gables Checkers Cinderella Man Come out of the Kitchen Daddy-Long-Legs Doll's House Earthbound Erstwhile Susan Evangeline Garden of Allah Heart of a Child Heart of the Hills His Majesty the American Humoresque If I were King In Old Kentucky Intolerance {Concluded on page 56)