The use of films in American schools is already an accomplished fact
and is generally recognised as a great educational asset.
The American Red Cross during the War found it extremely useful in
aiding its work, and it was decided, in view of the coming of peace, to
extend this work and build it upon a solid and permanent base. A Bureau
of Pictures was established and an important branch was the origin of a
sister Bureau for Europe, its headquarters being in Paris; the aim in
view being the formation of a library of films, demonstrating to the
New World how the Old World lived and how it had suffered during the
War.
The incentive for the development of this idea by the Red Cross was
created by urgent representations made by thousands of schools and
churches throughout the length and breadth of the United States, a
stirring appeal which could not be ignored.
A popular feature in the early days of the educational curriculum
was the extensive use of the magic-lantern hour, in which inanimate
pictures were thrown upon a screen. This was capital as far as it went,
but obviously the cinema could be utilised with a far greater effect
and satisfaction. From the commercial standpoint it was found that the
monetary return from the exhibition of “educational films” was not
satisfactory. One film featuring Mary Pickford would produce greater
profits than a perfect and complete library of educational films!
The churches wishing to give film entertainments on Sunday found the
ordinary films not suitable to their needs and sought outside aid. The
American Red Cross bridged the gap. Thousands of schools and churches
are now in touch with this Picture Bureau, whose work is administered
through fourteen divisions by which this movement is governed, and
every independent division is building up its own library of specially
selected films. The aim and object is to procure films of educational,
scenic, hygienic, and industrial interest. It also endeavours to cement
the allied friendship and cordial international relations between the
two great Anglo-Saxon peoples.
This Bureau is equipped with a large and efficient staff of expert
photographers, and when a film is taken this is duplicated and a copy
is dispatched to every division, accompanied by a list of subjects
which are at the service of the schools, and if a certain demand is
shown for special films, this demand is supplied.
The range of subjects when this project has matured will be
illimitable, and it will be possible to co-ordinate them so that they
can be absorbed into the recognised curriculum. It has been proved that
children are interested even by isolated subjects, contradicting any
contention that a child does not remember a lesson which it receives by
means of the “movies.” This film lesson provides a welcome break in the
text-book grind, and is the most popular and eagerly sought feature in
the school.
From an international aspect, the value of the film is undoubted. All
the American children will by this means be able to visualize the
marvels of Europe, and, in addition, form an idea of the surroundings
in which many of their fathers and brothers made the supreme sacrifice
in the defence of humanity.
These Red Cross films seen in their schools will convey to them exactly
what is being done, and in this way the film will take its place as an
ambassador of perfect understanding, cementing the already friendly
relations existing between the two countries. Over 6,000 schools in
America have cinema rooms and practically every new school being
erected in America is equipped with an up-to-date cinema-operating room
and theatre.
It behoves England to make greater strides if she is to keep abreast
of the times. The question is asked: “What are we waiting for before
taking the plunge into this educative speculation?” Possibly the
deterrent is the belated appearance of the completed inquiries of the
“Cinema Commission.” If it is truthfully said that England is ten years
behind the American in dentistry, the same period applies as regards
the possibilities of the cinema in relation to the school.
A conference of well-known educationists recently assembled at Columbia
University, U.S.A., to examine a number of film subjects on geography,
biology, industry, and popular astronomy, collected for the purpose by
the National Committee for Better Films. The affiliated Committee for
Better Films has asked for suggestions and criticisms regarding safety
precautions, methods of furnishing pictures in large quantities and
other matters.
The Federation of Child Study in conjunction with the Women’s City
Club, the National Committee for Better Films and the Juvenile Motion
Picture League, have formulated a scheme by which entertainments
suitable for young people are given in the various picture theatres on
Fridays and Saturdays, for which the Committee select the films to be
shown and guarantee an audience. The University of the State of New
York are making every endeavour to promote “visual education.” The town
of Wellesley, Massachusetts, has “municipal movies” two days a week.
The State censorship is strongly opposed on the ground that what is
required is selection and not censorship.