,,the ,,film3 ,,its ,,use ,,in ,,popular ,,education ,,the ,,film3 ,,its ,,use ,,in ,,popular ,,education ,,by ,m4 ,,jackson ,,wrigley1 ,f4,l4,a4 ,,chief ,,librarian1 ,,the ,,liverpool ,,library1 ,,lyceum1 ,,liverpool ,,with ,a ,,foreword ,,by ,,rt4 ,,hon4 ,,sir ,,gilbert ,,parker1 ,,bart4 ,,and ,,an ,,introduction ,,by ,,walter ,a4 ,,briscoe1 ,f4,l4,a4 ,,city ,,librarian ,,of ,,nottingham ,,author ,,of 8,,library ,,advertising10 ,,etc4 ,,grafton ,,co4 ,,coptic ,,house1 ,,london1 ,w4,c4 ,,the ,h4 ,w4 ,,wilson ,,co4 ,,new ,,york #aibb ,to the ,memory of two ,dear ,colleagues ,,thomas ,,riley 7late7 of the ,birmingham ,public ,libraries ,,and ,,eric ,a4 ,,peppiette 7late7 of the ,liverpool ,university ,library ,who died for their ,country 8,somewhere in ,france0 ,,foreword ,i have read ,mr4 ,jackson ,wrigley's little book and ,i think it an admirable statement of the uses of the ,film in ,popular ,education4 ,it is clearly and succinctly written and its arguments are undeniable4 ,i have just come from ,california where ,i spent nearly a year in writing films and studying the industry and art1 and ,mr4 ,wrigley is right in saying that #f1jjj schools in ,america have cinema rooms4 ,quite apart from the entertainment in stories presented on the screen1 there is immense value in the teaching of the film in geography1 science1 and natural history and topical events2 and ,i would1 if ,i could1 put a film in every school1 or rather1 have films shown in every school in the land4 ,i believe some fears have been expressed that the films may injure the eye-sight4 ,well1 there is steady improvement in the lighting of the films1 and expert medical authorities must decide as to that4 ,of one thing ,i am sure1 that if injury does ensue it will be dealt with by scientific experts1 and the danger will ultimately be removed4 ,mr4 ,wrigley's book is an excellent contribution to general knowledge on the subject1 and it should be widely read4 ,the time will come1 ,i believe1 when ,municipalities in ,england will do as is done in ,wellesley1 ,massachusetts1 and give 8,municipal ,movies0 two days a week4 ,i have faith that the enquiries and reports of the ,cinema ,commission will induce the ,london ,county ,council to include the film in the educational life of the country1 and that all ,councils throughout the country will do the same4 ,,gilbert ,,parker4 ,,author',s ,,preface ,some of the matter contained in the following pages has been included in papers and lectures1 and after frequent requests from various sources1 ,i have decided to submit the whole in book form4 ,the topics touch upon the various phases of the value and utility of the 8film0 as an indispensable ally of the education and library authorities1 capable of being used in the interests of both4 ,other subjects of vital interest have been included1 all coming within the scope of the projector4 ,the film as an educational agency is now recognized1 and the following chapters will be read1 it is hoped1 with interest4 ,m4 ,j4 ,w4 ,,introduction ,,the ,,cinema-,,educator4 ,the educational possibilities of the film have not yet been fully visualized1 and this volume is designed to advance its usefulness in the widest sense in the scheme of education4 8,do not train boys to learning by force and harshness1 but direct them to it by what amuses their minds10 said ,plato1 and this in a measure is the theme of a section of this book dealing specifically with the use of the cinematograph in our schools and colleges4 ,one can imagine the introduction of the film in class-work eliminating that ,shakespearean type of scholar who goeth 8like snail1 unwillingly to school40 ,emerson wrote to the effect that 8the secret of education lies in respecting the pupil40 ,although he was not making allusion to the pupil of the eye1 it may be that to-day 8the secret of education lies in attracting the pupil10 and the film is the important factor to secure his or her attention4 ,at a scholastic conference on 8,new ,ideals in ,education10 at ,bedford ,college1 ,miss ,e4 ,holmes affirmed that the average teacher of to-day could think of no other way of teaching than by grouping pupils into classes and educating them by chalk and talk4 ,that meant that the older children had to mark time during the most critical years of their life1 making them tired of routine1 and all desire to continue education died of sheer inanition4 ,the average teacher into whose soul had entered the iron evil of tradition could rid himself of much routine1 to the advantage of himself and his pupils4 ,given a sympathetic ,government and a sympathetic local authority1 teachers might do much as they pleased in the way of striking out new paths for themselves1 it is averred4 ,the aid of the film may be one of the 8new paths0 to knowledge4 ,it has been said elsewhere that when you introduce into our schools a spirit of emulation1 you have present the keenest spur admissible to the youthful intellect4 ,the screen can convey the proper spirit to the boy and girl1 whether the subject be scientific1 literary1 historical1 or biographical4 ,rousseau wrote that 8,education is either from nature1 from man1 or from things0--and the film is the modern medium4 ,if it be truly said that the eye is the window of the soul then the possibilities of the cinematograph in our schools are without limit4 ,while the film can never supersede oral education1 it may be most valuable as an aid to instruction4 ,modern educationists would not contemplate the idea of training the eye to the exclusion of the use of the ear4 ,the cinematograph may 7to use a stereotyped phrase7 8supply a long-felt want40 ,the children of to-day are such habitual ,cinema-goers that too much cinematograph is to be discouraged1 but the film used in proper perspective in the schools will excite and increase interest in science1 industry1 art1 geography1 travel1 history1 biography and literature4 8,the eye sees what it brings the power to see10 said ,carlyle1 and the inference is obvious4 ,a student of child psychology 7blessed word7 opines that a child criminal is often the outcome of the cinema--forgetting1 probably1 that child-criminals existed long before the 8movies0 were even thought of1 and overlooking the fact that 8penny dreadfuls0 used to be credited or discredited with this in the days gone by4 ,nevertheless1 the film as a new force must be recognized4 ,at a recent ,congress on ,child ,welfare1 held in ,brussels1 the importance and value of the moving picture was referred to as frequently as its dangers2 and it was agreed that the problem was not how to nullify1 but how to harness this new power4 ,for the sake of the children it was proposed that a form of moral control of films should be set up4 ,the control1 it was suggested1 should be exercised by a central and special commission composed of persons nominated by the ,government and chosen from members of elected bodies1 from associations of artists and literary people1 from societies for the protection of childhood1 and also from firms having an interest in the film business1 producers and importers of films4 ,special exhibitions for children were advocated4 ,this important phase is treated upon at some length in this volume4 ,the film has1 however1 a wider sphere than in the confines of the juvenile--that of the adolescent and the adult1 summed up in the one term of 8the ,public40 8,public instruction should be the first object of ,government10 declared ,napoleon 7although ,buonaparte never foresaw that he would be so ignominiously filmed in divers manners for the 8instruction0 of posterity74 ,it is incredible1 however1 how much instruction the ,public receives from the cinemas4 ,it is1 therefore1 an enormous power for good or for evil4 ,it is well to review the position in this volume and not to shirk the issue4 ,all manner of indictments have been levelled against the cinemas4 ,writers have vied with each other in their condemnation4 8,the producers have prostituted a noble1 useful1 and marvellous art before the money god of the films10 it has been publicly asserted4 ,much is being done to 8ban0 improper films1 and it would be better for the reputation of the film-world if these immoral photo-plays were 8taxed0 out of existence4 ,such films are not 8towards the education of your daughters10 as ,shakespeare writes4 ,the ,public can be its own ,censor4 ,in the meantime educationists and social-reformers can strive to guide public opinion4 8,i have hope that society may be reformed1 when ,i see how much education may be reformed10 said a ,german writer once2 and the reform of the film will come about possibly only by the people educating the film-producers to the view that it requires something else than the 8adults only0 brand4 ,while this volume advocates 8direct action0 against this class of film it is not intended unduly to emphasize the seamy side of the case4 ,it is recognized to the full that there are many splendid films being 8released0 daily1 and many managers are rendering a public service by 8featuring0 only the best class of picture4 ,these many admirable productions are to be commended1 and it is for the public to encourage the producers by patronizing those houses where refinement is the rule1 to the exclusion of the other brand4 ,cinemas are public educators4 ,mr4 ,arthur ,weigall1 author of 8,the ,influence of the ,kinematograph on ,national ,life10 has at various times lamented on the dullness of screen plays1 making ,byron's phrase in 8,lara0--8dull the film0--almost a modern one4 ,there are some film-producers who still fail to understand the mentality of a large portion of their patrons4 ,some films do not appeal to the intelligence of the audience4 ,many patrons are wearied of seeing what passes for melodrama4 ,it would be a happy release if there were fewer 8releases0 of this nature4 ,it has been said that until producers recognize that the principles of ,art must come before commercial considerations the film industry is doomed4 ,it is for the people to insist on the best1 and only the best1 being 8screened10 and the various 8corporations0 that are giving us mediocre matter will be crowded out by the far-seeing producers who realize that the ,public1 unlike the ,law1 is not 8a ass40 ,while the film can never supplant the printed word1 it has been the means of directing the attention of many people to the books available at the ,public ,libraries4 ,quite recently the ,rev4 ,t4 ,w4 ,pym1 in an article in the 8,library ,association ,record10 said3 8,people will read any book which they have seen on the films1 whether it be ,dickens or #8,george ,eliot' or any other author1 whom1 normally1 that particular person would not think of attempting to read40 ,the cinema is thus a direct advertising medium for the ,public ,libraries4 ,this phase1 and the use of the cinema as a publicity service for ,public ,libraries1 has been definitely outlined in the book on 8,library ,advertising10 and ,mr4 ,wrigley considerably amplifies this in the following pages4 ,this volume is a rsum of what has been done in film-land1 and the author advances numerous original ideas that will be read with interest and profit by educationists generally1 library authorities1 social-reformers1 and cinema-goers collectively4 ,it is not a technical work1 but the technics of the art of film production are also dealt with4 ,after studying this volume the reader will doubtless accept ,mr4 ,wrigley's contention that 8the film is the coming apostle of education40 ,,walter ,a4 ,,briscoe4 ,,contents ,,page ,,introduction3 ,the ,cinema-,educator #i ,i4 ,,historical #ba ,the genesis of the film4--,present and future4 ,,ii4 ,,educational #bf ,the cinematograph in the schools4--,the film as teacher4--,some educational films4--,history taught by film4--,the development of the ,british ,colonies4--,political propaganda4--,the film in ,american schools4--,instructing the deaf mute4--,in mental hospitals4--,medical students4 ,,iii4 ,,libraries ,,and ,,literature #ej ,school1 ,library and cinema4--,film collections4--,preservation of the film4--,library of films in ,berlin4--,advertising the public library4--8,publicity0 films4--,the book4--,film as mental ally4--,filmed literature4 ,,iv4 ,,social #gf ,the ,cinema ,commission4--,film censorship4--,juvenile crime4--,morality tests4--,the 8,white ,scourge0 problem4--,churches and the cinema4--,the film and the savage4--,co-operative cinemas4 ,v4 ,,commercial ,,advertising #if ,advertising by the film4--,sales by the film4 ,,vi4 ,,production #aja ,the failure and success of the film4--,cinema eccentricities3 blunders and inaccuracies4--,natural colour films4--,talking films4--,paper films4 ,,vii4 ,,conclusion #aba ,,the ,,film ,i ,,historical ,the rise and development of the cinematograph during the last few years has been truly phenomenal4 ,,genesis ,,of ,,the ,,film4 ,the history of the cinematograph dates back to the obscure ages of the year #fe ,b4,c41 at which period ,lucretius1 in his 8,de ,rerum ,natura10 made certain pertinent remarks relative to the persistence of vision--the base upon which the whole theory of motion photography is built4 ,according to a document in the ,bodleian ,library at ,oxford1 the cinematograph has a history as far back as ,a4,d4 #acj4 ,the first stage from which the cinematograph evolved was an invention1 simplicity itself1 which readily lent itself to immediate and successful development4 ,it emanated as a toy for children1 and this has been gradually built up1 stage by stage1 until finally completed as at the present time4 ,i refer to that simple toy-wheel or 8cycle of life20 also to the children's booklet consisting of a series of pictures of various stages of action4 ,the leaves were held between the first finger and thumb1 the little book bent backwards1 and the leaves released1 one by one1 as quickly as possible4 ,the whole gave the impression of the subject being in motion2 and this optical illusion was the embryo of the modern motion picture4 ,before the introduction of the celluloid film1 animated pictures from glass plates were exhibited2 but without the pliable celluloid film it is contended that cinematography would have been impracticable4 ,,development4 ,the modern cinematograph was rendered possible by the invention in #ahij of the celluloid roll film1 on which serial pictures are impressed by instantaneous photography2 a long sensitised film being moved across the focal plane of a camera and exposed intermittently4 ,for an hour's exhibition #ej1jjj to #afe1jjj pictures are needed4 ,to regulate the feed in the lantern a hole is punched in the film for each picture4 ,these holes are extremely accurate in position1 and when they wear1 the feed becomes irregular1 and the picture 8dances0 in an unpleasant manner--hence that irritating feeling which arises from seeing a well-worn film vibrating4 ,the machines have been devised in enormous numbers under the names of bioscope1 biograph1 kinetscope1 mutograph and cinematograph1 derived chiefly from ,greek and ,latin words for life1 movement1 change1 etc4 ,the first actual attempt recorded seems to be that of a ,frenchman named ,louis ,du ,hauron1 who took out two patents in #ahfd4 ,although they covered all the essential points of the modern cinematograph1 the one factor which made it a failure was the slowness of the wet collodion plates of that time as compared with the gelatino-bromide4 ,in #aijf1 ,mr4 ,c4 ,rider ,noble brought out a patent whereby the moving film could be stopped at any moment for examination4 ,prior to this invention1 the film had to speed on to the end without interruption4 ,new ideas and inventions seem to add improvement daily4 ,,present ,,and ,,future4 ,it was predicted that the cinematograph1 like the skating rink1 would have a short life and die in its infancy1 but this was a mistaken idea--the 8movies10 like 8,liza10 have 8come to stay40 ,they are a force to be reckoned with4 ,it would not be overstating the fact to say that more people attend the cinema than all other places of entertainment massed together4 ,the returns relative to the cinema industry are immense4 ,regarding attendances at these places in this country1 it shows no fewer than #a1jge1hge1jjj attendances at cinema exhibitions in the course of a single year4 ,in the ,british ,isles there are approximately #d1ejj theatres with a seating capacity of accommodating one in every thirty-seven of the population4 ,upon working out these figures it shows that the entire population of the ,united ,kingdom visits cinema exhibitions on an average once a fortnight4 ,about #e1jjj new subjects are issued each year1 and some #gj1jjj1jjj feet of film are running through the projectors each week4 ,from #hj1jjj to #ajj1jjj persons are directly engaged in the various branches of the trade4 ,its increased popularity in the future is assured1 and its progress will depend largely upon what uses the nation makes of this new force in national education4 ,,ii ,,educational ,,the ,,cinematograph ,,in ,,schools4 ,various boroughs have made forward steps in the introduction of the cinematograph in the school4 ,the ,birmingham ,juvenile ,organization ,committee has prepared an exceedingly readable and interesting report for presentation to the ,birmingham ,education ,committee4 ,to expand upon this theory1 an open exhibition is to be arranged and will be attended by thousands of children from the senior departments of the schools1 the younger element being excluded4 ,teachers and officials of the ,local ,education ,authority will lend their support4 ,a synopsis of prepared notes was given to the teachers and scholars4 ,the schools are to be formed into groups1 so that pupils may attend a special performance at a convenient centre at regular intervals4 ,the programme of exhibition is to last for one hour2 the films selected coming under five headings3-- 7#a7 ,literature1 7#b7 ,geography1 7#c7 ,science1 7#d7 ,natural ,history1 7#e7 ,composition4 ,literature is represented by a pictorial representation of 8,the ,merchant of ,venice40 ,it is argued that by this method the children will be induced to turn to the plays after they have seen the characters portrayed upon the screen4 ,one feature missing is that the film cannot give the child any idea of the beauty of ,shakespeare's prose and verse4 ,in the case of geography it is apparent that the film can efficiently take the place of the text-book4 ,science and natural history could be represented by films showing the life-history of the salmon and the silkworm4 ,one suggested experiment dealing with composition is that a portion of the story be shown1 and that when the children have returned to the school they should be asked to invent a title or to summarize the film as far as it has been shown1 and complete it according to their own ideas4 ,at a future sitting the remaining portion of the film would be exhibited and the children would then compare it with their own efforts4 ,a similar exhibition was given in ,manchester before members of the ,stretford ,education ,committee4 ,in this instance a portable projector was used1 the lighting circuit being tapped for electric power4 ,it is openly admitted that the cinematograph has a wide field1 but the idea that the cinema will ever supplant the text-book is considered unlikely4 ,one would like to know the definite view adopted by the ,commissioners as regards educational films and the benefits derived therefrom4 ,many authorities are still stumbling along in the dark1 unwilling to make a beginning1 but they cannot maintain this attitude for long1 because the forward march of the utility of the cinema in the school is becoming apparent1 and all education authorities who are apostles of progress will have to toe the line4 ,,the ,,film ,,as ,,teacher4 ,when it is remembered that the moving picture camera may be used in connection with the microscope1 that it has an unlimited field in geography1 in the recording of social life1 and in natural history--it seems difficult to account for the fact that universities and colleges have passed it by4 ,the value is not so much to be sought in the classroom1 for there are1 of course1 objections to its use there1 but the founding of this new type of library would possess an interest for future generations which can scarcely be over-estimated4 ,there is no doubt that the decision of the ,london ,county ,council upon the question of using the film as a part of the educational curriculum1 will1 in the main1 be governed by the nature of the ,report issued by the ,special ,committee appointed by the ,national ,council of ,public ,morals to consider the part the cinematograph is destined to play in public education4 ,the ,education ,committee was instructed to report as to the provision by the ,council of the facilities on an educational basis to enable all ,london school children to see cinematograph films4 ,these were placed under the following heads3-- 7a7 ,purely instructional or educational2 travel1 science1 and natural history4 7b7 ,suitable in other respects for exhibition to a juvenile audience4 ,certain objections were raised4 ,one fundamental difficulty was eyestrain1 and another1 ill-ventilated rooms4 ,the whole problem is being viewed by experts from a technical1 psychological1 and physiological standpoint4 ,they had exhibited before them a film showing the power to teach history and geography4 ,this was demonstrated in a remarkable way by an exhibition film relating to ,christopher ,columbus4 ,the scenario was in ,spain1 for the most part in the actual surroundings associated with ,columbus4 ,there could be no better way of demonstrating to the scholar the trials and difficulties encountered by ,columbus before and after he realized his life's ambition4 ,it was contended that it would be better to arrange a series of lectures beforehand1 explaining at some length the persecution endured by ,columbus4 ,by this means an oral and visional teaching would be enacted1 leaving a more lasting impression than would be attainable otherwise4 ,,some ,,educational ,,films4 ,to-day ,shakespeare is reeled off a spool1 and human life taught at the end of a crank4 ,you may travel over land and sea without leaving your seat and see great personages of the world perform their mighty deeds1 and unconsciously knowledge of life and the world is derived which makes a difference in the conception of things surrounding us4 ,the average member of a community fails to comprehend the significance of the new and powerful agency in education4 ,all this means a revolution in pedagogy1 the scrapping of text-books in favour of the film4 ,it means a vividness where before had been vagueness4 ,it means a true visualization and realization of life1 where hitherto an indefinite printed description of it was acquired4 ,in this country gatherings of teachers have been vividly impressed by animated photography4 ,by means of the silent teacher1 young and old have learned more about the physical1 industrial and social geography of the world during the past few years than during any previous quarter of a century4 ,it brings vividly before our eyes the idea of intense cold1 atmospheric conditions1 blizzards1 and life peculiar to the regions around the ,poles2 and1 again1 the sweltering heat1 vegetation1 methods of living and transport in the tropics4 ,one is brought face to face with the primitive life1 habits1 and customs of the aborigines of the least known corners of the world2 while even life immediately around us is revealed in a manner which hitherto has been impossible4 ,take a film about the volcano1 of which most children have heard but never seen4 ,it would explain that a volcano throws up smoke1 calcined dust1 red-hot stones1 and melted matter called lava4 ,the summit is hollowed out in a great excavation having the shape of a funnel1 sometimes miles in circumference4 ,the principal volcanoes could be shown1 as ,vesuvius1 near ,naples2 ,etna1 in ,sicily2 ,hecla1 in ,iceland4 ,a curtain of smoke filling the orifice of the crater denotes the forthcoming eruption4 ,when the air is calm the smoke rises vertically to nearly a mile in height1 finally spreading out like a huge blanket1 cutting off the rays of the sun1 and sinking down on the volcano1 covering it with a dense smoke-cloud4 ,a huge sheaf of fire bursts from the crater to a height of #f1jjj ft41 and the heavy cloud is illuminated by the fiery red of the sky4 ,millions of sparks dart out like vivid lightning to the summit of the blazing sheaf4 ,these sparks1 so small from a distance1 are1 in reality1 incandescent masses of stone1 and of a sufficient momentum to crush the most solid structure in their fall4 ,from the bowels of the mountain through the volcanic chimney ascends a flux of melted mineral substance1 or lava1 pouring out into the crater1 forming a lake of dazzling fire in the sun4 ,through the crevasses as well as over the edges of the crater the lava flows in streams4 ,the fiery current1 formed of dazzling and paste-like matter1 similar to melted metal1 advances slowly2 the front of the lava stream represents a rampart on fire4 ,animals and human beings flee before it1 but all objects stationary are lost4 ,trees are seen to blaze a moment on contact with the lava and sink down reduced to charcoal2 the thickest walls impeding its progress are calcined and collapse2 the hardest rocks are vitrified1 melted4 ,the flow of lava eventually subsides2 the subterranean vapours1 forced by the enormous pressure of the solid mass1 escape with greater violence than ever1 carrying with them whirlwinds of fine dust floating in sinister clouds and sinking down upon the neighbouring plain4 ,finally the mountain ceases its activity and peace reigns again for an indefinite time4 ,visualize the terrible eruption of ,mt4 ,etna in ,sicily of two hundred years ago4 ,a dark night preceded the storm4 ,trees swayed like reeds buffeted by the wind2 people fled to avoid being crushed under the ruins of their dwellings4 ,they lost their footing on the quaking ground and fell4 ,mt4 ,etna burst into a fissure ten miles long1 and along this fissure broke forth a number of volcanic mouths1 vomiting clouds of black smoke and calcined sand4 ,soon seven of these mouths were united in one abyss emitting cinders and lava4 ,torrents of lava poured from all the crevasses of the mountain down upon the plain1 destroying houses1 forests and crops4 ,the stream reached the walls of ,catania and spread over the country4 ,there1 as if to demonstrate its strength to the terrified ,catanians1 it tore away a hill and transplanted it some distance2 it lifted in one mass a field planted with vines and let it float for some time1 until the green was reduced to charcoal and disappeared4 ,a fierce battle ensued between lava and water4 ,the lava presented a perpendicular front nearly a mile in length and forty feet high4 ,at the touch of that burning wall1 which continued plunging further and further into the waves1 enormous masses of vapour rose with terrible hissings1 darkened the sky with their thick clouds1 and fell in a salt rain over the region4 ,in a few days the lava had made the limits of the shore recede three hundred and fifty yards4 ,the stream1 swollen with new tributaries1 grew from day to day and approached the town4 ,the inhabitants could be seen from the top of the walls watching the implacable scourge4 ,the lava finally reached the ramparts4 ,the fiery flood rose slowly but it rose ceaselessly4 ,it finally touched the top of the walls1 whereupon1 yielding to pressure1 they were overthrown for the length of forty-five yards1 and the stream of fire penetrated the town4 ,the last scene was that of the inhabitants fleeing in terror4 ,what a realistic geography lesson1 never to be forgotten1 would a film of this description make6 ,the films can show anything from the mining of coal to the manufacture of the needle2 from the weaving of a dainty handkerchief to the building of a battleship4 ,the films projected would be purely educational1 though there are numerous incidents shown1 which amuse and entertain1 in addition to imparting information4 ,a particular film series of an educational and scientific nature is now available4 ,the ,smith-,urban 8,kinemacolour0 series depicting the budding flowers and the opening of blossoms--which in nature occupies several days--are disclosed with uncanny realism in less than two minutes4 ,marvels of the universe1 a scientific film of nature-study and general knowledge1 finds many patrons4 ,,history ,,taught ,,by ,,film4 ,it would be necessary for historians to collaborate very closely with the producers in the preparation of historical films4 ,the mere fact of being called upon to provide a scene for a picture and a detailed explanation1 however1 would go far to arouse a new enthusiasm in their work among students and teachers of history4 ,it might assist us to vision our forefathers out of their portrait frames and parish churches1 which are1 perhaps1 their only extant monuments1 and reveal them to us as they lived and moved4 ,in most cases the educative value was confined to actual performers1 or those who took part in the preparation of costumes1 and in general the action of a scene was too far removed from the audience for close observation and too quickly over for effective study4 ,supposing one could produce a film1 actually showing the scenes enacted during the life and times of the ,romans2 depicting their daily life1 court ceremonial and ancient coronations1 or their judicial proceedings1 their tournaments1--we should add materially to our historical knowledge of the people2 and one must not lose sight of the fact1 that when we have passed to the 8,great ,beyond10 and the world still continues to be inhabited some thousands of years hence1 populated with people actuated with the same ideas1 the same aspirations as ourselves1 our present period will stand exactly in a similar relationship1--in regard to time at least4 ,what could present a more magnificent visual panorama than the procession of events of the ,elizabethan period to the eighteenth century1 laying open to our view their lives1 the arts and crafts of their time1 and our progress is then made over the stepping-stones of the past8 ,imagine the royal events of history1 the gorgeous scenes of the coronations of ,english kings1 as they succeeded each other4 ,supposing an authoritative film could have been produced of the ,great ,war1 showing the whole of ,europe in conflict1 from the invasion of ,belgium to the ,armistice4 ,the whole of the incidents--the devastation of property by the mighty engines of war2 refugees in flight from the oncoming enemy2 the heroic attacks and defence by the ,british soldiers in spite of tremendous odds2 the want1 misery and suffering following in the train4 ,the scope of the cinematograph for educational purposes could be considerably widened by children and adults being shown how things have been and are being done4 ,the use of colour films for explaining history would enable the teacher to demonstrate the growth of ,british ,dominion in ,india--for instance1 ,bombay could be represented by a tiny red speck1 which would expand in correct historical sequence until the whole of the peninsula was covered4 ,the development of the colouring1 as this or that successful campaign was completed1 would explain to observers1 more explicitly than any printed list1 the political effects of history4 ,the scenes would thus be indelibly impressed upon the minds of children4 ,and the same idea might be extended to the other colonies1 ,canada1 ,australia1 ,new ,zealand1 ,south ,africa1 etc41 depicting their history from the first settlement to the complete establishment of the ,overseas dominions and their activities of to-day4 ,the film1 in short1 is a fine medium for political propaganda if wisely used4 ,the following subjects lend themselves to effective treatment as film productions for educational purposes3 the growth of the ,european ,colonies1 the rise and fall of the ,ottoman ,empire1 the decline and renaissance of ,poland1 the historical groupings of the various ,states of ,europe in the wars of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries1 to name but a few4 ,,the ,,film ,,in ,,american ,,schools4 ,the use of films in ,american schools is already an accomplished fact and is generally recognised as a great educational asset4 ,the ,american ,red ,cross during the ,war found it extremely useful in aiding its work1 and it was decided1 in view of the coming of peace1 to extend this work and build it upon a solid and permanent base4 ,a ,bureau of ,pictures was established and an important branch was the origin of a sister ,bureau for ,europe1 its headquarters being in ,paris2 the aim in view being the formation of a library of films1 demonstrating to the ,new ,world how the ,old ,world lived and how it had suffered during the ,war4 ,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 ,states1 a stirring appeal which could not be ignored4 ,a popular feature in the early days of the educational curriculum was the extensive use of the magic-lantern hour1 in which inanimate pictures were thrown upon a screen4 ,this was capital as far as it went1 but obviously the cinema could be utilised with a far greater effect and satisfaction4 ,from the commercial standpoint it was found that the monetary return from the exhibition of 8educational films0 was not satisfactory4 ,one film featuring ,mary ,pickford would produce greater profits than a perfect and complete library of educational films6 ,the churches wishing to give film entertainments on ,sunday found the ordinary films not suitable to their needs and sought outside aid4 ,the ,american ,red ,cross bridged the gap4 ,thousands of schools and churches are now in touch with this ,picture ,bureau1 whose work is administered through fourteen divisions by which this movement is governed1 and every independent division is building up its own library of specially selected films4 ,the aim and object is to procure films of educational1 scenic1 hygienic1 and industrial interest4 ,it also endeavours to cement the allied friendship and cordial international relations between the two great ,anglo-,saxon peoples4 ,this ,bureau is equipped with a large and efficient staff of expert photographers1 and when a film is taken this is duplicated and a copy is dispatched to every division1 accompanied by a list of subjects which are at the service of the schools1 and if a certain demand is shown for special films1 this demand is supplied4 ,the range of subjects when this project has matured will be illimitable1 and it will be possible to co-ordinate them so that they can be absorbed into the recognised curriculum4 ,it has been proved that children are interested even by isolated subjects1 contradicting any contention that a child does not remember a lesson which it receives by means of the 8movies40 ,this film lesson provides a welcome break in the text-book grind1 and is the most popular and eagerly sought feature in the school4 ,from an international aspect1 the value of the film is undoubted4 ,all the ,american children will by this means be able to visualize the marvels of ,europe1 and1 in addition1 form an idea of the surroundings in which many of their fathers and brothers made the supreme sacrifice in the defence of humanity4 ,these ,red ,cross films seen in their schools will convey to them exactly what is being done1 and in this way the film will take its place as an ambassador of perfect understanding1 cementing the already friendly relations existing between the two countries4 ,over #f1jjj 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 theatre4 ,it behoves ,england to make greater strides if she is to keep abreast of the times4 ,the question is asked3 8,what are we waiting for before taking the plunge into this educative speculation80 ,possibly the deterrent is the belated appearance of the completed inquiries of the 8,cinema ,commission40 ,if it is truthfully said that ,england is ten years behind the ,american in dentistry1 the same period applies as regards the possibilities of the cinema in relation to the school4 ,a conference of well-known educationists recently assembled at ,columbia ,university1 ,u4,s4,a41 to examine a number of film subjects on geography1 biology1 industry1 and popular astronomy1 collected for the purpose by the ,national ,committee for ,better ,films4 ,the affiliated ,committee for ,better ,films has asked for suggestions and criticisms regarding safety precautions1 methods of furnishing pictures in large quantities and other matters4 ,the ,federation of ,child ,study in conjunction with the ,women's ,city ,club1 the ,national ,committee for ,better ,films and the ,juvenile ,motion ,picture ,league1 have formulated a scheme by which entertainments suitable for young people are given in the various picture theatres on ,fridays and ,saturdays1 for which the ,committee select the films to be shown and guarantee an audience4 ,the ,university of the ,state of ,new ,york are making every endeavour to promote 8visual education40 ,the town of ,wellesley1 ,massachusetts1 has 8municipal movies0 two days a week4 ,the ,state censorship is strongly opposed on the ground that what is required is selection and not censorship4 ,,instructing ,,the ,,deaf ,,mute4 8,list with thine eyes1 and ,i will list with mine10 is a revised version of a well-known quotation which applies with considerable point to the modern mode of conversation between deaf mutes1 who are taught1 by the close observation of the movements of a speaker's lips1 to see1 instead of to hear1 what is being said4 ,this is where the cinema may help our less fortunate brothers and sisters4 ,an effective film could be prepared which would depict with great precision the lip action which takes place as the various letters of the alphabet are being articulated1 and also the similar change of appearance visible1 as groups of letters or words are uttered4 ,such an alphabet and the graphic record of speech1 available for use over and over again1 enabling mute pupils to commit to heart1 would make a tedious task simplified4 ,,in ,,mental ,,hospitals4 ,the effect of the film upon the healthy mind is obvious1 and its introduction in various mental hospitals is now in the experimental stage4 ,cinematograph entertainment has already been provided in one of the ,birmingham mental asylums1 and it is anticipated that the exhibitions will materially help in the recovery of the patients4 ,,medical ,,students4 ,the 8daily press0 tells us that the medical profession is the latest convert to the cinematograph as an aid to instruction4 ,the instrument is being utilized to record operations1 for presentation before medical students1 and in this manner a large number of unnecessary operations will be prevented4 ,it is maintained that many intricate and delicate operations can be more lucidly expounded to the student by these biographic demonstrations than is possible in the operating theatre1 during the carrying out of an operation1 or by means of anatomic diagrams4 ,processes of bone-grafting have been thrown upon the screen4 ,serial radiographs of the stomach showing all the stages of digestion have been revealed to an audience of surgeons4 ,one professor of neurology uses twenty-five thousand feet of cinema film in teaching and illustrating nervous and mental diseases4 ,even the blood has not escaped the cinema-worker's relentless probing4 ,by means of the ultra-micro-cinematograph the corpuscles of the blood are magnified to an enormous degree and one is able to follow with ease precisely what happens when the vital fluid is contaminated by different foreign organisms1 and the terrific struggle that ensues for supremacy1 and the exact action produced by the administration of various curative specifics4 ,it is evident that1 in the battle against human disease and death1 the moving picture is destined to play an astonishing part4 ,the ,great ,war has provided some interesting surgical opportunities1 which1 had they been witnessed by those other than medical students1 would have been gruesome and revolting1 yet are interesting to the strong-nerved who can withstand the odour of the warm blood of human life4 ,take the case of a soldier shot in the thigh by machine-gun bullets which have made the head of the femur resemble a sand sieve2 watch the film1 from the carrying of the patient from the ward to the theatre1 the administration of the ansthetic1 and the deep-chested breathing of the patient who gradually succumbs to the sweet pungent odour2 note the interested audience of white-robed sisters1 nurses and surgeons2 the well-placed incision1 the parting of the sinews and muscles1 and the removal of the head of the 8femur0 to be replaced later by an exact replica in silver4 ,in medical science the cinematograph should become a most important aid in the instruction of students4 ,,iii ,,libraries ,,and ,,literature ,,school1 ,,library1 ,,and ,,cinema4 ,what a force to be reckoned with would be the combined efforts of school1 library and cinema as factors in education4 ,these two former sections have become more united during the last few years4 ,it is only recently that the activities of the ,public ,library ,authorities have been fully appreciated by the ,education ,authorities4 ,the outlook is now brighter1 and a recognized harmony exists2 their efforts now being united for the furtherance of educational ideals4 ,all educational aims should be to broaden1 deepen1 improve and strengthen the childish imagination1 both sympathetic and intellectual4 ,if used without proper supervision1 there is not a more harmful agency than the cinema4 ,mention is made elsewhere of the ,cinema ,commission1 the ,london ,county ,council1 and the ,birmingham ,education ,committee and what they are undertaking on behalf of the school4 ,,film ,,collections4 ,a nucleus could be a collection of twenty films2 four dealing with classics2 four with the surrounding things of everyday life1 forming general knowledge2 four dealing with foreign countries1 their social life1 games1 customs1 etc42 four dealing with entomology1 zoology1 etc42 four depicting the commercial life1 showing shipbuilding yards1 steel works1 cotton and woollen factories1 pottery manufacture1 etc4 ,these films would broaden the views and strengthen the imagination of children4 ,the nucleus thus being formed1 the films could be circulated throughout the surrounding counties1 boroughs and towns2 being exhibited at the local library once a week4 ,in conjunction with these films1 8reading lists0 could be prepared of books for home-reading1 and widely distributed4 ,a change of film could be made once a week1 which means that before the stock of films had completed one round1 five months would elapse1 giving ample time in which to procure future additions4 ,by bringing the cinema within his scope of activities1 the librarian adds materially to the usefulness of the library to the community at large1 proving the sterling worth of such an institution to the town4 ,how this financial venture is to be met and supported will be the inevitable question1 the answer to which is by co-operation2 each town or borough taking a share of the burden and contributing financially towards their maintenance4 ,an endeavour must be made to get the local ,education ,authority interested1 and the battle is partly won4 ,submit to them a practical scheme1 on a sound business footing1 attractive and definite1 and they will1 after careful consideration1 give unstintingly their financial support4 ,the whole of the country could be divided into areas1 such as ,north-,eastern1 ,north-,western1 ,south-,eastern1 ,south-,western1 etc41 where towns1 etc41 like ,stretford1 ,manchester1 ,stockport1 ,bolton1 ,wigan1 ,liverpool1 ,southport and ,chester could all produce a repertoire of film subjects4 ,each ,authority could be responsible for the production of films relative to their own manufacture1 which could be mapped out as follows3-- 7#a7 ,denton and ,stockport1 for hat manufacture1 showing the whole of the process felt goes through1 from the raw material to the finished 8,sandringham40 7#b7 ,bradford could give a tour of the woollen mills4 7#c7 ,nottingham the lace trade4 7#d7 ,hanley the pottery trade4 7#e7 ,oldham and ,leigh the cotton trade4 7#f7 ,atherton1 etc41 coal mining4 7#g7 ,liverpool1 the docks and shipping4 7#h7 ,kent1 for the strawberry and hop-growing industries4 7#i7 ,devonport1 the dockyards1 etc41 etc4 ,there is ample scope for the treatment of such subjects4 ,as described elsewhere1 a ,central ,bureau could be established1 every film classified according to subject1 and from this ,bureau would emanate a steady flow of purely educational films--teaching or imparting knowledge in a popular manner4 ,again1 where space does not permit1 either in the schools or the local library1 the allied sympathy of the managers of the local cinemas could be obtained1 and one film could be inserted as part of their programme1 securing for them the necessary audience1 and at the same time advertising the ,education ,authority and the ,library4 ,the aim of all libraries is to preserve knowledge for succeeding generations1 and films such as those described in the preceding chapter--that portion dealing with history taught by the film--would be of permanent value for reference4 ,the general idea of providing a permanent record of historical events in the nation's history is worthy of universal encouragement1 and also of making these records easily accessible for public enlightenment4 ,it has been said that the public library should reflect every phase of mental activity1 not only the high and educational kind1 but also of the recreative1 the social side of life4 ,a vast amount of enlightenment and instruction1 with remarkable force and rapidity1 can be conveyed by the aid of the cinematograph4 8,every picture tells a story10 whether it be of wonder or beauty1 or of travels and national customs2 some enlightenment may be gained from the exhibition4 ,the seed sown by the pictures of this or that city1 whether abroad or at home1 may1 eventually1 be reaped in improved conditions of life and its surroundings4 ,a clearer conception1 a more sensible interpretation of the wonderful things around us1 is shown than could ever be conveyed by a professor's treatise1 or an artist's impressions4 ,,preservation ,,of ,,the ,,film4 ,libraries in general have failed to appreciate the educational value of the cinematograph during the growth of the last fifteen years4 ,for years now the ,national ,board of ,censorship has been urging the development of the use of educational films4 ,the first attempt at anything in the nature of a ,lending ,library of ,films was inaugurated by ,gaumont ,co41 in #aijd4 ,the scheme enabled the amateur or professional possessor of a cinematograph-projecting apparatus1 to hire or loan on reasonable terms a selection of film subjects1 so that by the outlay of one guinea per night1 the private exhibitor could command an inexhaustible supply of film subjects4 ,there are a number of elements entering into the production1 distribution1 and the public exhibition of pictures4 ,the raw stock of celluloid from which films are manufactured has a limited existence4 ,the base of the film is usually of a highly inflammable composition4 ,again1 before the pictures are perfected1 for public exhibition1 the producer's outfit should include highly perfected cameras1 studios1 staging1 and star actors1 and a search1 often1 for appropriate outdoor settings for the scenes to be enacted4 ,the skilful direction of people and scenes to obtain illusions requires an expert at the business2 for it necessitates a high grade of technical ability for the production of scenic1 travel1 and scientific pictures with the minimum film waste4 ,once the picture has been constructed1 prepared with subjects and sub-titles1 and has been submitted to the ,board of ,censorship1 it must be extensively advertised1 circulated amongst exchanges throughout the kingdom1 and the commands of the public exhibitors awaited4 ,all these complicated processes have emanated from the regular daily demand of the people for entertainment1 not necessarily enlightenment4 ,the manufacturers know the percentage of film subjects demanded1 whether tragic1 thrilling1 artistic1 humorous1 or educational4 ,i will give some idea as to the film4 ,each picture in size is roughly three-quarters by one inch2 the average length of a black and white film is #ajjj feet1 giving a total of #af1jjj pictures4 ,when rolled this film fills a tin box--allowing for the fact that it is round--equal to the size of a royal octavo volume1 but considerably heavier4 ,thus it is evident that the question of space is unimportant4 ,the number of films produced and published does not equal the number of books published in the same time4 ,a great number of the films published are unsuitable for preservation1 and1 therefore1 would find no place in a ,national ,historical ,repository4 ,the method of the present classification of books would be applied to the classification of the films1 covering1 as they do1 historical1 scientific1 artistic1 and technical subjects4 ,the life of the film depends upon its treatment4 ,the period varies1 but when in daily use it should last for twelve years2 and1 if every care has been taken1 and the film is seldom used1 it will last for fifty years4 ,twenty-five years may be taken as a fair average under ordinary methods4 ,of course1 new films can be reprinted from the old1 and therefore1 no film need be discarded4 ,a fairly satisfactory solution of the difficulty of making provision for a regular service of films at a minimum cost would be the appropriation1 annually1 by the ,state1 of a sufficient sum to allow the purchase of a number of the best films by ,state ,libraries1 or 7seeing that libraries now come under the protecting wing of the ,education ,authorities7 by a ,state ,department of ,education4 ,this increasing library of films could be held at the disposal of ,library ,authorities who contribute towards its acquisition and maintenance4 ,,library ,,of ,,films ,,in ,,berlin4 ,in ,october1 #aiad1 a 8,library of ,films0 was opened in ,berlin4 ,this ,berlin depository already possesses a very large collection of valuable films1 dealing especially with scientific and allied subjects1 which is probably unequalled elsewhere4 ,in connection with the library an ,intelligence ,bureau has been opened1 where advice can be obtained on all matters connected with the cinematograph and its uses4 ,its resources are inexhaustible and the films may be borrowed for purposes of instruction by ,educational ,authorities and other allied bodies4 ,it is established for the national preservation of historical and other films1 and will become invaluable as the years roll on1 from the historic point of view4 ,,advertising ,,the ,,library4 ,i was once asked the question1 8,why do not libraries give greater publicity to their activities1 means and resources1 and not be satisfied with the fact that they are merely performing an everyday public function1 expected of them as a municipal institution which gives some sort of return to the ratepayers for the rate levied upon them for its maintenance80 ,true1 some of the ratepayers are quite satisfied when they can go to the local library and borrow one or two books to while away a few leisure hours during a wet week-end4 ,herein lies a small conception of what a public library is for4 ,the library at the present time1 if it is to maintain its popularity1 must be aggressive and not passive4 ,we must not be content to rest on our oars and survey what we have done with a complacent smile of satisfaction1 and say1 8,i have done my best10 but we must think what we can do next to keep the vision of usefulness of the public library ever before the public4 ,the library is like the tree in nature1 once it ceases to grow it commences to decay1 and this food for further thought must be provided by the initiative of the librarian1 providing he is an enthusiast4 ,if cheap stories so often depicted could be replaced by such films as 8,the ,odyssey10 8,hamlet10 8,evangeline10 the cinematograph would become a distinct influence for good4 ,it has been voiced at some of the conferences that systematized propaganda work is needed4 ,i am glad to see that the ,library ,association has at last awakened to the fact that the educational value of the ,public ,library is not known as it should be4 ,the appointment of a 8,publicity ,committee0 shows that a determined effort is being made to launch out into something original1 and1 ,i hope1 something which will demand world-wide attention4 ,anyone interested in ,library work cannot fail to see that such a popular and powerful agent as the film must have an effect upon the ,public ,libraries4 ,cinemas are not on the wane1 but are considerably on the increase4 ,now that the ban on 8luxury building0 has been removed1 these buildings--in some cases 8super-cinemas0 embodying every convenience--will spring up everywhere4 ,one very seldom1 if ever1 hears of a cinema being 8wound up0 for bankruptcy2 these picture-houses are too popular1 and this popularity will remain as long as one generation succeeds another4 ,the film can arouse an enthusiasm in heretofore disinterested readers1 and expose to them the pleasures and joys of life they are missing1 and only the totally illiterate can ignore it4 ,possibly it is not generally known by librarians that managers of cinemas are genial individuals1 willing to oblige in a little library publicity1 and where the library is in close proximity1 so much the better4 ,what ,i refer to is a 8screened advertisement0 on behalf of the library authorities1 calling attention to the fact that the book from which the film is produced may be borrowed from the ,central ,library and its branches1 which medium has been advocated in ,mr4 ,walter ,briscoe's book on 8,library ,advertising40 ,here is the idea for a permanent local 8publicity0 campaign1 and in due course the ,library ,association1 backed up by ,government recognition1 may launch out into a national programme of recognition4 ,some may advocate publicity by means of specially trained orators1 who would demonstrate from public platforms in forcible arguments the advantages of the ,public library2 others may convene dinner-hour meetings and deliver speeches to working men and women as during an election2 others may urge the use of public hoardings or electric signs in public places1 changing colour every few seconds4 ,it is admitted that the ,press is a powerful organ1 proclaiming to every reading individual items of interest within its pages4 ,this is good so far as it goes4 ,possibly advertising in it would be repaid where the paper has access to every home1 and even then there is the possibility of its being overlooked1 unless the headline be emblazoned in red4 ,some people when perusing their favourite papers look for one thing of interest to them only4 ,some scan the stock and share markets2 others devour the racing news2 some look at the advertisement columns in the hope of finding a house to let2 the gentler sex invariably peruse the bargain sales--so there is a danger of library matters being overlooked4 ,some new tactics must be tried2 something which will yield better results1 something which will meet the gaze of young or old--and there is that all-powerful national appealing projector1 the cinematograph4 ,this will explain with greater efficiency than either the public ,press1 the hoarse-voiced orator1 or any other medium4 ,people who remain ignorant or illiterate need no longer remain in this stage4 ,if they do not know the alphabet1 they can be taught it2 if they cannot write they can be shown how to wield a pen1 and the various styles of writing--backhand1 roundhand1 copper-plate or script1 all by means of text-books obtainable at the library4 ,the poorest man1 without any visible means1 living in a garret1 has this store of wealth at his disposal just for the asking4 ,anyone wishing to become acquainted with a foreign language to aid him in his business can learn by the 8self-taught series40 ,thousands of people in these circumstances could be made acquainted with the treasures of the library by means of the film4 8,,publicity ,,films40 ,the ,public ,library 8,lending ,department0 would make an admirable film1 showing1 as it would1 borrowers selecting their books and being assisted by the library assistants4 ,continuing1 the books themselves could be shown in the process of opening4 ,in the natural history section the various phases of nature would be seen by the eye2 the philology section would disclose the people of the various ages1 dressed in keeping with the period1 and the language they spoke2 and the literary section would open to view the poets of the various ages and the poems they wrote4 ,a book-stack would revolve2 a book would open in the historical section on the history of ,england1 showing early ,britons in their prehistoric dress1 and these would change as the various periods in the nation's history was passed through4 ,here is the chance of a lifetime for the exponents of the uses and utility of the ,library of which they should take every advantage4 ,there are some people who do not even know that public libraries actually exist in their midst1 and what facilities they freely offer4 ,they have yet to realize that the ,library is in reality the ,people's ,university1 instituted to enable everyone to acquire knowledge and enlightenment4 ,it would not be impossible to prepare a film on a much wider scale1 the production of which would probably run into similar figures to those of the biggest 8releases40 7,i hope readers will not blame me for being an idealist67 ,for national publicity purposes a film on 8,,the ,,public ,,library3 ,,its ,,evolution ,,and ,,possibilities0 could be prepared1 depicting the remarkable modern growth of this valuable institution4 ,the veil of obscurity could be torn aside1 and that erroneous impression dispelled that the library is a very modern institution4 ,the interested person could retrace his steps in the annals of library history as far back as it is possible to go4 ,,library ,,history4 ,before our eyes would actually be shown the fact that books themselves were not always of the material so familiar to us4 ,knowledge could be extended far beyond the invention of the printing-press2 metal1 stone1 bricks1 walls1 pillars1 and even the rocks of ,nature's own production were used to convey information to succeeding generations4 ,we should be brought into close contact with the libraries of ,assyria1 ,babylonia and ,chaldea1 the three ancient empires of which the most is known4 ,there will be seen the palace-temple of ,nippur1 founded not later than #bbhj ,b4,c41 the 8tomes0 classified and catalogued on shelves in the most approved manner1 some #bjj1jjj clay bricks being exhibited4 ,the period of the ,greeks would prove interesting1 storing the archives in the temples of the ,gods1 during the sixth century ,b4,c4 ,the ,romans would be pictured amassing their libraries as spoils of war2 the first to be established in #afh ,b4,c4 by ,aemilius ,paulus--the librarian being a slave or freeman4 ,time progresses with the passing of the film--,bishop ,alexander is seen establishing the first ,christian library at ,jerusalem in ,a4,d4 #bab4 ,the libraries later meet with a catastrophe1 being swept away by the invasion of the ,goths and barbarians of the ,western ,empire in the fifth century4 ,from the fall of the ,western ,empire to the ,revival of ,learning in the fifteenth century the libraries passed into the hands of the monks1 who were the collectors of the ,middle ,ages4 ,here they could appear1 working in the monasteries1 writing on parchment rolls4 ,every ,benedictine house was equipped with a library4 ,interest quickens as the rapid growth of libraries in ,england becomes apparent--at ,jarrow1 ,lichfield1 ,whitby1 and other places in the ,north of ,england4 ,the gradual developments from these libraries to early town libraries1 the various types1 remodelled to suit the requirements demanded by mental enlightenment1 would all create interest and pleasure4 ,the modern library would prove the most interesting4 ,the shelves upon shelves of books1 closely classified1 yet so simple1 would evoke admiration4 ,the visual procession of saints and sages1 warriors and martyrs1 the upholders of justice and freedom1 as they stepped from their places upon the shelves1 would create wonderment4 ,single shelves bridge the intervals of time2 generations upon generations of men congregate there4 ,from the film1 the demonstration shows that through the medium of books one can witness the plague of ,athens or ,london1 without contagion2 follow ,caesar upon his marches2 stand by the side of ,agricola as he regards ,ireland and says that some day he will 8go over and take it02 rove the ,dark ,continent with ,stanley1 and learn the secrets of artificial and natural flight with ,sir ,hiram ,maxim4 ,similarly1 readers would transport their thoughts according to the nature of the literature indulged in by them4 ,it could be shown that no matter what our tastes are1 whether they be inventive or whether we prefer to be in the company of a celebrated humourist1 the library will supply all wants4 ,other activities in connection with the ,library could be shown3 the travelling libraries setting out to the rural districts1 the door-to-door calls1 the issuing of books to our isolated brethren4 ,lastly1 our work with the children in the juvenile library and reading rooms1 and the establishment of libraries in the schools4 ,what more material can the publicity exponent desire than lies here within his reach--the film for perfect propaganda work8 ,it only needs to be utilized4 ,by means of one human effort for the creation of such a film1 its duplication to any number1 its use either in the libraries1 the local cinema1 or public hall1 the whole of the population of ,england could be enlightened simultaneously or gradually1 and the efforts of the publicists would be rewarded by the ,public ,library being placed in its right sphere as an educational institution2 its use to the community would be recognized and the demand upon its resources would be increased4 ,we as librarians1 custodians of books1 must acknowledge the significance of the cinematograph4 ,we have in projectors a valuable aid to our works as educators4 ,the 8movies0 are the coming apostles of education2 in them we have the world in miniature1 and its value as an educative force can hardly be over-estimated4 ,in a very few years every well-equipped library will be installed with its own cinematograph apparatus1 and possibly its own asbestos-lined cinema-operating room1 as at ,stockport1 for instance4 ,,the ,,book4 ,a film on the making of a book could be made decidedly interesting1 showing the many processes that go to the making of a book2 from the arrival of the manuscript to the purchase of the book at a shop1 and the customer reading it at home4 ,such a film has been prepared by ,messrs4 ,doubleday ,page ,co41 ,garden ,city1 ,new ,york4 ,the film can portray the living characters of books1 and readers usually derive more pleasure from reading after the characters have been portrayed upon the screen4 ,,the ,,film ,,as ,,mental ,,ally4 ,much enlightenment may be derived from the film4 ,there are some people1 who during their lifetime spend too much time on petty details1 a fair proportion of every community are totally incapable of following any line of thought to its logical conclusion4 ,some people1 whilst reading a book1 have to depend upon a bookmark to locate the place where they are reading1 instead of being able to pick up the book and recommence1 remembering where they discontinued previously4 ,concentration of thought whilst reading1 a complete assimilation of the facts contained in the book1 and the capability of understanding what has been read1 would obviate the necessity of any temporary bookmark4 ,the fact of remembering what has been read will readily indicate the place to recommence reading4 ,some people will read a novel1 and at the end cannot recall the characters in the book1 or what part they have taken in the story4 ,such a hapless habit is to be deprecated4 ,others possess a more retentive memory and read a book with a definite purpose1 and at the conclusion1 or even some considerable time afterwards1 could enumerate every detail1 fit in every character1 the moral they present1 and even tell one the defects therein4 ,to such people as the forementioned1 the film would be of great assistance2 not only to give a correct rendering1 visually1 of the book1 but to help them to remember facts and characters4 ,there are the class of people1 few in number1 who own and use their own libraries1 and have little use for the ,public ,library4 ,another class1 slightly larger1 but still1 numerically1 only a small portion of the population1 know books and use the ,public ,library freely and with intelligence4 ,the remainder1 or more than half the average community1 need to be taught its value and purpose4 ,,filmed ,,literature4 ,the 8movies0 make their appeal through the rapidity with which the plot of the story is carried along1 and the exaggerated emphasis with which the different points are brought out4 ,it is a primary or kindergarten for the schooling of those people into the region of emotional experiences4 ,by co-operating with the 8movies0 the ,library in time might be able to grade the work so that a brief and simple love-story might be heard or read with understanding4 ,the repetition of the visual presentation of the idea possible in a moving picture would help to make its meaning clear4 ,take a novel as an example3 in this case ,ethel ,m4 ,dell's 8,the ,keeper of the ,door40 ,the chief character is the doctor or surgeon1 who makes every endeavour to retain life in the human body1 he being the keeper of the door1 not allowing the spirit to depart4 ,there is something really beautiful as this picture is portrayed3 the vigilance of the doctor1 and the kindness and patience of the nurse2 yet in spite of all this attention the activity of the patient is slowly waning1 and then the last breath is taken and human life ceases to be4 ,other features create interest--the surroundings1 the way the characters play their part1 and the emblematical representations all create a longing to read the book4 ,in reading1 the whole scenes return as witnessed2 greater interest is created1 and one cannot imagine a person losing his place of reading1 or the inability to fit the characters in their places1 even after some considerable time has elapsed4 ,,iv ,,social ,,the ,,cinema ,,commission4 ,the ,national ,council of ,public ,morals embraces many subjects in its activities2 for some years it has been keenly interested in the influence of the cinematograph upon young people1 with the possibilities of its development and with its adaptation to national educational purposes4 ,the ,president 7the ,bishop of ,birmingham71 with the ,rev4 ,f4 ,b4 ,meyer1 ,d4,d41 took a leading part2 the first ,cinematograph ,congress being held at ,olympia in #aiac4 ,the ,commission did not seek to abuse the people responsible for the promotion of the cinema by outspoken raillery1 but met representatives of the whole trade in frank discussion of the best means of ridding the community of whatever evil elements existed1 and meeting the demands of the best public opinion for a higher class programme2 suitable exhibitions for juvenile minds1 for the suppression of certain evils which had temporarily blighted the cinema halls1 and lastly for the establishment of a national censorship which would give the necessary freedom for the proper development of the cinematograph1 whilst prohibiting all undesirable films4 ,at a meeting held in ,london on ,november #bd1 #aiaf1 representatives of the ,cinematograph ,trade ,council1 the ,incorporated ,association of ,kinematograph ,manufacturers1 ,ltd41 the ,kinematograph ,renters' ,society of ,great ,britain and ,ireland met together1 and it was finally resolved-- 8,that the ,national ,council of ,public ,morals be requested to institute an independent inquiry into the physical1 social1 moral1 and educational influence of the cinema1 with special reference to young people40 ,the terms of reference to the ,commission were3-- 7#a7 ,to institute an inquiry into the physical1 social1 educational1 and moral influences of the cinema1 with special reference to young people4 7#b7 ,the present position and future development of the cinematograph1 with special reference to social and educational value and possibilities4 7#c7 ,to investigate the nature and extent of the complaints which have been made against the cinematograph exhibitions4 7#d7 ,to report to the ,national ,council the evidence taken1 together with its findings and recommendations4 ,the ,cinema ,commission commenced its labours on ,january #h1 #aiag1 and terminated on ,july #i1 #aiag4 ,forty-three witnesses were examined1 representing the different interests in the country4 ,in addition to the time taken up for the hearing of these witnesses1 sittings were held at a private theatre for the inspection of the films complained of4 ,it also extensively visited cinema halls in the course of its labours4 ,the headings for discussion were3--,the standard of judgment1 ,special consideration regarding the cinema as a place of amusement1 ,the moral dangers of darkness1 ,the character of the film1 ,need of a stricter censorship1 ,special claims of children1 ,special inquiry regarding the influence of the picture house upon children1 ,juvenile crime1 ,replies of chief constables1 ,ideas of life and conduct1 ,special provision for the young1 ,the value of the picture house1 ,the cinema as a counter-attraction to the public-house4 ,the ,commission also adopted the roll of educational expert1 carrying out a number of psychological experiments4 7#a7 ,the durability of cinema impressions on school children2 7#b7 ,mental fatigue caused by instruction by means of the cinema2 7#c7 ,tests of education by cinematographical methods1 in comparison with the ordinary method of instruction2 7#d7 ,in which direction the most fruitful and permanent results could be obtained by the cinema2 7#e7 ,the possibility of the cinema in cultivating an sthetic appreciation2 7#f7 ,the most advantageous way of correlating the work of the school with that of the cinema1 and the most economical method of using the cinema for this purpose2 7#g7 ,the collection of evidence with regard to experiments which have already been carried out effectively by using the cinema for educational purposes2 7#h7 ,the best methods of producing suitable films for school purposes4 ,this report is exhaustive and is the findings of laborous sittings1 full of material treating upon the cinema question from all possible sides4 ,the debates have been carried out by representatives of every section of the community2 the decisions are unbiassed1 full of truth1 suggestions1 and remedies4 ,,film ,,censorship4 ,owing to the objectionable character of some of the imported films1 the question of an independent censorship was discussed at the latter end of #aiaa1 and in ,october1 #aiab1 with the approval of the ,home ,secretary1 the ,board of ,censors was established and official duties were commenced in ,january1 #aiac4 ,entire independence and impartiality were assured1 and are claimed to have been maintained by the ,board of ,censors4 ,it was decided to issue certificates classed as follows3-- ,u4 ,films to be shown to any audience4 ,a4 ,films to be shown to adults only4 ,this ,board passes about #ig per cent4 of films passing through its hands4 ,two rules were laid down-- 7#a7 ,that the living figure of ,christ should not be allowed4 7#b7 ,that under no circumstances whatever would nudity be permitted4 ,the ,examiners judged upon the broad principle that nothing should be passed which in their opinion would demoralize an audience4 ,they laid down forty-three reasons for refusing to pass films4 ,the question is often asked in the public ,press1 and occasionally in ,parliament1 8,what has become of the censor8 ,why does he not exercise his powers of suppression8 ,is there such an office80 ,this question is becoming increasingly urgent and acute4 ,there has been a tendency for the last two years to allow to filter through on to the public market films distasteful to modest vision4 ,the so-called comic films are becoming more and more suggestive4 ,we are aware that the modern tendency in female attire is to lower the neck and shorten the skirt4 ,there is beauty in a painted nude figure1 showing the perfect formation of limbs2 this is from the standpoint of art4 ,it is the prevailing fashion in modern ,american 8comedy films0 for 8bathing belles0 to figure largely1 and this is unnecessary unless the film actually depicts seaside life1 surf-bathing1 or is advertising a standard bathing costume approved of by the exponents of the 8modiste0 costume4 ,there are also passages in these films which call for the excision of certain portions4 ,a flagrant breach of 8censorship0 is occasioned by allowing a film of the following nature to appear upon the open market4 ,this depicts a ,chinaman who runs an opium den1 and who is also a money-lender4 ,the story goes that he has designs upon a pretty ,english girl4 ,to become acquainted1 he advances money to her father1 followed by further loans1 which are used as a lever2 for the father finally forces his pretty daughter to marry the ,chinaman4 ,the scene changes to the girl's bedroom1 where the pretty wife1 clad in a diaphanous nightdress1 has a terrific struggle with the ,chinaman4 ,only one conclusion is possible1 and there is no moral attached to the picture1 which only produces a feeling of disgust--that the paternal human nature should have been so shown as actually existing between father and daughter4 ,,juvenile ,,crime4 ,crime films are another section which should not escape the critical eye of the censor4 ,it has been suggested that in some cases acts of crime by juveniles have been incited by seeing similar scenes enacted upon the screen4 ,they have endeavoured to imitate and emulate the pictorial crime creator1 who was lucky enough to evade the long arm of the law1 by which they themselves were caught4 ,one cannot imagine for one moment that the display of films showing murder1 suicide1 arson1 violence or theft1 would leave a happy impression upon the human mind4 ,it only fires the impressionable mind of the juvenile1 who ultimately finds himself arraigned in the 8juvenile court40 ,such films only injure the reputation of the cinemas exhibiting them1 because sensible parents will forbid their children to enter such places4 ,the prevention of crime is depicted by a series of 8,police pictures0 in the ,metropolis4 ,this film1 promoted to defend that great wall which defines the orderly and disorderly sections of the community1 shows 8,robert0 7as he is lovingly called7 in the discharge of his duties1 which is not only to exercise a ceaseless vigilance1 but to come into contact with danger of which many of us are ignorant4 ,it shows us the daily routine of every member of the police force1 from the highest to the lowest rank4 ,scotland ,yard is seen in all its specialized branches4 ,one can see the detectives being trained to prevent and discover crime1 and the manner in which they run social offenders to justice1 and the deductions leading up to the trail4 ,the policeman is shown as a friend and helper to the young and aged1 and children nowadays are taught to regard him as someone to appeal to in case they are lost1 and not to run away at sight as if pursued by a spectre4 ,,morality ,,tests4 ,a comprehensive attempt is being made in the ,united ,states to improve the quality of the films shown1 and for this purpose a 8,national ,motion ,picture ,league0 has been formed4 ,it is proposed to elevate the standard in two ways--first by supervising and conducting children's matines1 and assisting churches1 municipal boards of education1 parents' associations and other organizations interested in public welfare to secure proper pictures for adults1 young people and children4 ,in the second place it will assist1 by proper publicity1 towards the provision of good pictures and a campaign of education against the immoral and objectionable ones4 ,a reviewing board has been formed by the ,league1 composed of clergymen1 ,sunday school teachers and public welfare workers4 ,this ,board makes a selection from the general output of films1 and a list of those which they deem suitable will be published in weekly bulletins before the pictures are released for the open market and public exhibition4 ,these lists are sent to the film-producers1 and are published in magazines4 ,local committees are formed everywhere to unite in their efforts and use every influence4 ,these committees are of two kinds--children's matines1 which seek to provide suitable programmes for youthful minds2 and reviewing committees1 which report on all pictures seen in local picture theatres which are considered suitable for the lists of the ,league4 ,the films selected are clever and wholesome throughout4 ,films unsuitable1 even though the details exercise the moral ending1 are rigidly excluded4 ,they have to be in good taste1 unbiassed and accurate4 ,the board refuses to endorse a film that is inaccurate from a scientific standpoint or that contains undesirable inaccuracies in the production of well-known stories4 ,no crimes are allowed in pictures if they show killing or gunplay1 and there must also be no cruelty to either man or beast4 ,infidelity and sex pictures are not tolerated1 and even scenes of women smoking or men drinking are debarred4 ,a rule has been instituted which would produce good in this country1 and should be followed4 ,all titles and letter-press must be strictly grammatical and free from profanity or vulgarity4 ,the following is a label on a film after having passed through their hands3-- 8,in part #c1 cut out scenes of mixing drinks40 ,in part #f cut out sub-title1 8,you don't care a damn10 etc41 also all drinking scenes4 ,in short1 the ,national ,association of the ,motion-,picture ,industry has resolved to suppress and refrain from films that 8emphasize vice or the sex appeal or illicit love2 exhibit nudity1 excessive demonstrations of passion1 and vulgar postures2 unduly concern themselves with the underworld of crime1 bloodshed and violence1 drunkenness1 gambling1 and unnatural practices2 emphasize the methods used in committing crime2 bring into ridicule the law1 the authorities1 and religious beliefs and leaders2 contain salacious titles1 or are advertised salaciously40 ,,the 8,,white ,,scourge0 ,,problem4 ,the 8white slave traffic0 is as much a scourge as tuberculosis4 ,this appalling problem is sapping the vitality of the nation1 and every means of giving publicity to this menace1 which1 unfortunately1 is not on the wane1 should be used4 ,we have the best possible publicity agent in the film4 ,such a film could be prepared and exhibited to initiate the ignorant1 and to show those who practise in it that something is being done openly to expose this illicit traffic4 ,one reads in the newspapers almost daily of wrecked lives1 fathers who have shot their daughters and then themselves1 because she has trodden the downward path2 and of others who have made away with themselves because they are beyond reclamation4 ,this subject is talked about1 and often whispered1 as if it were a plague and they were afraid of becoming infected with it4 ,it is a plague1 and requires to be stamped out1 like the ,plague of ,london4 ,the daily life of the unfortunate daughter of the streets and her means of livelihood could not be portrayed more eloquently4 ,the efforts of the reclaimer of lost souls would be strengthened4 ,mothers would give silent prayers for the imparting of such information to their daughters1 which1 although their duty1 it is often shunned1 to the detriment of her offspring4 ,in a clean1 inoffensive and simple way it could be shown how unfortunate girls1 attracted by finery and dress1 are sometimes directly led into these channels4 ,if the book entitled 8,the ,rise and ,fall of ,susan ,lennox0 could be suitably filmed1 then much would have been accomplished in this direction4 ,mrs4 ,caudle's 8,curtain ,lectures0 would not be needed at home4 ,the impression upon the young mind would be indelible4 ,the voiceless foster-mother would repeat the lesson to thousands of young people4 ,the allied question 8venereal disease0 has already appeared upon the screen and thousands have already benefited by it4 ,the ,manchester ,corporation has taken steps to give publicity by means of the film1 and if the idea is generally approved and encouraged1 much will be done to educate citizens of the dangers of this malignant disease4 ,let us hope that greater efforts will be made to bring these evils home4 ,,churches ,,and ,,the ,,cinema4 ,now that ministers are bemoaning the smallness of their congregations1 and declaring that the flock has gone astray1 wondering how to account for the fact that modern-day religious opinions have changed1 and in some cases1 warped2 that they no longer come to hear good sermons and music1 that the collections are mean2 that their social functions are unattended--they ask themselves1 8,what is wrong1 and what is the remedy80 ,the cinema has been tried in the church to evoke that enthusiasm now dormant4 ,in ,america it has met with huge success and is being recommended by the clerical body throughout that country as a means of reviving lost interest4 ,ministers' sermons have brought to life the actual characters2 there seems to be a new atmosphere within the sacred precincts1 and the churches are not large enough to hold the congregations4 ,the sermons are more lucidly expounded1 the attention of the congregation is held1 no stentorian snores reverberate through the church1 there is no coughing or impatient moving of feet or imperfect sneezing2 and even the child with its contribution in its pocket keeps it there without dropping it on the floor4 ,such rapt attention has been evoked by the film entitled 8,creation40 ,this ,italian production presents the history of the ,old ,testament in pictorial form4 ,the film begins with ,creation and closes with the reign of ,king ,solomon1 the total length is #cj1jjj feet1 and it is in twenty-two chapters4 ,could one see a more realistic film than the actual creation of the world1 the birth of ,christ in the manger1 ,his movements amongst the people1 the healing of the sick1 the restoration of sight to the blind1 the lame made to walk1 ,his successes and failures1 ,his friends and ,his enemies1 and the conversion of ,his disciples1 ,his last supper1 crucifixion and final resurrection8 ,no minister need appeal for a more stirring picture1 a better demonstration than this2 his sermons would be more explicit and better understood4 ,films could be created to suit every sermon1 or sermons could be worded to suit the picture chosen1 and to one versed in theology1 notes would be unnecessary4 ,enthusiasm would grip the preacher as the film rolled on1 and words would come easily and spontaneously4 ,a new picture just 8released0 in ,sweden would do well in this direction1 the title of which is 8,thy soul shall bear witness40 ,it is a sermon in pictures1 more graphically described than by any pen2 and is beautifully told and accurately expressed4 ,the story is of an outcast waiting in a graveyard for the ,new ,year to dawn1 in order that he and his comrades may drink a curse to the months that are to come4 ,a young social worker on her deathbed is calling for him1 but he ignores the call4 ,even his friends are disgusted with his behaviour as he tells them the legend of the cart of death which drives everywhere and collects the souls of the dead1 the driver being the man who has died on ,new ,year's ,day4 ,he falls under the spell of a social worker who battles to save his soul1 and to restore him to his constant and faithful wife4 ,he finally awakens1 to find it a horrible dream and that he has slept in the churchyard4 ,other items enter the story1 but the impression left behind remains1 leaving the moral intended4 ,,the ,,film ,,and ,,the ,,savage4 ,one would hardly think that the film has reached and is being used in some of the remotest corners of the globe1 yet such is the case4 ,the advance made in this direction of the education of these savages by means of the film has been a source of help to the missionaries4 ,these natives1 quick-witted1 are apt to learn far quicker from motion pictures than from personal instruction4 ,the effects are sometimes very humorous1 imitation is often indulged in1 and bobbed hair and short skirts have created such an impression that the fashion prevails as far away as ,jamaica4 ,the black belle 8bobs0 her hair and even covers her skin with a pearl powder overlaid with rouge and a peculiar dark red in imitation of her ,western sister4 ,she tucks in her print skirt1 and if she is accustomed to going barefooted during the week1 on ,sunday she will appear in vivid silk stockings4 ,she wears a hat woven by herself1 with a twisted impressionistic scarf such as the heroine in a screen play wears when she sallies forth to meet her hero4 ,it is contended that there is already a marked improvement in the manners and customs1 which schools have not been able to bring about4 ,there is ample scope for pioneer work amongst these dusky brethren1 and the projector would go a long way towards attaining this end4 ,,co-,,operative ,,cinemas4 ,mr4 ,george ,bernard ,shaw says1 8,there is no reason why cinema theatres should not be added to the list of public wants provided for by the co-operative movement40 ,certainly the ,co-operative ,society have their interests in nearly every concern going4 ,for the instruction of their members1 physically and mentally1 they have made every endeavour to fill in the gaps4 ,if their energies were also turned to the establishment of cinemas for educational purposes1 including instructional and wholesome films1 then co-operators will have made a forward movement4 ,v ,,commercial ,,advertising ,,advertising ,,by ,,the ,,film4 ,as an advertising medium the film stands unrivalled1 and1 probably1 in time to come1 it will supplant the flaring posters so distasteful to our vision1 and which disfigure and desecrate our landscapes4 ,various manufacturing firms could further avail themselves of this latest product of visual exhibition4 ,manufacturers of gas mantles could demonstrate the whole process of the manufacture of these flimsy yet durable illuminators1 from the extracting of the fibre to the finished article1 the candle powers of each1 and what they are used for4 ,again1 an opportunity occurs for the ,ediswan1 ,mazda1 ,tantalum and other electric bulb manufacturers to represent the blowing of the glass and the fixing of the sensitive filaments which convey the electric current and produce cheap illumination4 ,british and colonial railways have found the cinema a good substitute for the glaring advertisements in their endeavours to lure the holiday-makers to the beauty and health spots served by their train systems4 ,this method of advertising would speak more than volumes and be more vividly impressed upon the minds of the audience than by many an hour of searching through railway and holiday guides1 or touring announcements4 ,visualize a trip on one of the railways--say1 passing through impressive mountainous scenery4 ,as each station is passed and the journey progresses1 bird's-eye views could be shown of fruitful and restful country never seen before1 and sometimes it would help to influence a holiday-maker who is contemplating where to go for his next holiday4 ,the ,continent could be advertised upon the screen by companies conducting tours4 ,we should see ,parisian life as it is lived1 the boulevards and cafes1 and everywhere the places of national importance4 ,the architecture of our towns is too often deplorable1 and in contrast to that seen in towns like ,hamburg1 ,frankfort1 ,brussels or ,milan1 not to mention the great capitals and the cities of historic beauty and significance like ,florence1 ,venice and ,nuremburg2 these majestic structures would appeal to all lovers of the finer arts4 ,the prejudiced and those behind the times may argue that the 8pictures0 are suited only to the illiterate4 ,but1 judge the cinema as our minds dictate1 the fact remains that this new vitalizing force has entered into the educational progress of to-day4 ,,sales ,,by ,,the ,,film4 ,keen competition in manufactured articles has brought about increasing difficulties in the sales of machinery4 ,the manufacturer has learned1 by sad experience1 that it is sometimes impossible to convince his prospective customer of the superiority of his product over that of a rival firm1 without actual inspection4 ,size prevents him from carrying his machine to the customer1 and distance will not permit the customer to go to the machine4 ,in this dilemma the progressive manufacturer has joyfully hailed the advent of the motion picture film which enables him to display every step in the manufacture of the machine or articles1 and every phase of its operation4 ,when the maker of machinery1 plants1 and equipment asks the average person to look over blue prints and written descriptions1 and thus form a conclusion as to the worth of his products1 he usually finds himself in a difficulty4 ,it is mentally impossible for the general run of people to visualize or imagine a plant or machinery in working and running order from an inspection of drawings and written descriptions1 no matter how graphic or conclusive they may be4 ,machines are generally too large to be shipped around for inspection by the prospective customer4 ,it is physically impossible to ship all plants and processes1 and very frequently the prospective purchaser cannot arrange to visit a place where machinery can be inspected4 ,the modern motion projector is light in weight1 small in size1 and can be easily operated4 ,films can be shown at any place1 at any time1 and are the ideal method of demonstrating the salesman's wares4 ,some manufacturers are making a speciality of these portable projectors1 which may be tapped to the lighting circuit and used in the office of the prospective customer1 with a blank wall as a screen4 ,this method of exhibition has been hailed with delight1 and the number of manufacturers availing themselves of this medium of salesmanship grows in number day by day4 ,,vi ,,production ,one writer gloomily said1 recently1 that every cinema was in a bad way1 and inferred that the films were a failure2 the distressing shrinkage of the audiences signified the general non-approval of the tone of the films submitted4 ,it is not that the people have not the money2 in spite of the stress of the times1 cinema theatres are the best patronized places of amusement1 and the fact that these companies are paying a dividend 7anything from seventy-five to ninety per cent471 spells1 in one word1 8success10 which means a good turnover and good profits4 ,,the ,,failure ,,and ,,success ,,of ,,the ,,film4 ,i do agree in this respect1 that the ,british public is becoming much more critical1 and in time will insist that it get its value1 or else will steer clear of the cinemas4 ,it is for the managership to provide the films with the necessary tone4 ,there are several factors governing this criticism and decline1 and one is that the ,english film production started with an unsound foundation1 or a bad tradition4 ,give a dog a bad name and it will stick to it1 and to retrieve a lost reputation is a difficult feat1 yet not an impossible one4 ,if the ,british producers were composed of ,englishmen alone1 and not a conglomeration of nationalities1 the plots in the various novels and plays would be produced exactly as intended and not murdered and warped as at the present time4 ,to read the book1 then see the play1 and finally the film1 one is astonished at the vast difference in the rendering2 the whole plot being considerably changed4 ,the rendering of the film should be exactly the same as the play1 and as one reads1 yet it is widely different4 ,it is either 8cut0 or lengthened2 the important is ignored and the unimportant is enlarged upon1 showing in striking features the blunders perpetrated4 ,what is the result of this doctoring8 ,instead of the producers raking in the thousands and pleasing millions of patrons1 the whole production is a miserable failure1 and the reputation of the author as a writer is belittled in the eyes of the public4 ,to prevent this1 the producers could approach the author to supervise the production and pay him a nominal retaining fee1 and the public would be assured of an exact reproduction of the play or plot they have seen acted1 and wish to see filmed4 ,in film production the ,british would create an improvement in their films if some of the ,american methods were copied4 ,it is the latter's custom to secure the presence of the author throughout the whole period of production1 and his critical judgment and suggestions ensure the exact reproduction of the film as written4 ,all films are not a failure1 far from it4 ,several ,british films have been excellently produced1 and the plot has remained as originally written4 ,this is what the reading public requires and looks for1 especially when they are familiar with the story4 ,the exact reproduction of the plot without alteration does much to secure the confidence of the patrons4 ,at the present time the ,british film-producers are handicapped by the ,american film-tax1 which reduces considerably the scope of sale1 but if only out of fairness to this country the tax should be dropped--or our ,government must perforce raise a similar barrier to protect ,british producers in this country4 ,the prospects for ,british producers are brighter1 and if they can exhibit at the various 8,trade ,shows0 films worth seeing--from the standpoint of acting1 scenario and production--then they need not fear a 8block0 in the bookings for ,english films4 ,the ,british public is patriotic1 and it only remains for the ,british producers to bring out something really good for foreign competition to fall behind4 ,our keenest competitors are ,america1 ,germany1 ,italy and ,switzerland4 ,,cinema ,,eccentricities3 ,,blunders ,,and ,,inaccuracies4 ,some remarkable blunders are perpetrated in the production of some modern films1 either due to an oversight on the part of the producer who endeavours to make it too realistic1 or inattention to details4 ,these incidents have a tendency to do more harm to the cinema than good1 for these little slips which have been allowed to creep in and appear on the screen are apt to make the picture patrons become impatient4 ,some people find amusement in the noting of all these blunders4 ,let me enumerate a few to show what ,i mean1 for they are too apparent to escape notice4 ,for instance-- ,a monk in a picture of the twelfth century is seen to switch off the electric light6 ,louis the ,x,i,vth is supposed to remark to a lady-in-waiting1 that she wants 8taking down a peg10 an expression not quite in keeping with the period portrayed6 ,again1 it is just as ridiculous for vaccination marks to be shown on the left arm of a harem-queen of the ,east--period1 a thousand years ago6 ,one sees such items as1 a view of ,curzon ,street1 showing huge pillared porticoes and palms4 ,a duke who wears appalling ,american 8reach-me-downs40 ,a duchess who is ,irish1 and therefore must say 8,be jabers0 and 8,begorra40 ,views of ,english countryside and ducal park1 displaying granite boulders1 tropical palms and scores of ,american cars all on the wrong side of the road6 ,another delightful oversight--a man who enters a strip of undergrowth wearing a tie1 walks straight through and emerges with an up-to-date ,west ,end made-up bow1 to the old miser in 8,wuthering ,heights02 the times are ,victorian1 and a conspicuous object is a safe made in #aiae4 ,one laughs at the absurdity of the whole thing1 when a lady in a crinoline is shown knitting a jumper2 or a disreputable attic is furnished with a beautifully carved wooden bed1 fitted with silken hangings4 ,copies of the 8,peerage0 figure in this satire--of course it is ,american--and it is such instances which are creating a bad name for the cinema4 ,american ignorance of the ,british peerage is shown in the film featuring an old ,warwickshire family1 ,armitage by name2 a beautiful daughter1 the ,honourable ,diana ,gwen ,beaufort1 etc41 ,armitage4 ,her young brother remained the plain unvarnished 8,eddie02 her mother 8,mrs4 ,armitage10 and they were apparently not on the same aristocratic level as the ,hon4 ,gwen4 ,a framed copy of the family crest is much to the fore4 ,it is only too noticeable that the ,hon4 ,gwendoline is in direct succession to the family honours1 totally excluding her living brother4 ,in the end this captivating young personage marries an ordinary ,american commoner2 the honeymoon is spent at the ancestral home in ,warwickshire--,armitage ,castle4 ,how1 or why she got there the film story does not relate4 ,such ignorance causes the public to distrust all films1 and does much to lessen the attendance of intelligent people at the cinema theatres4 ,,natural ,,colour ,,films4 ,most film pictures shown upon the screen are at present of the black and white variety1 and colour films are sometimes spoken of as being generally impracticable4 ,the main item which is the cause of the non-general appearance of these films in natural colour is the question of cost4 ,experiments have been highly successful1 but the necessary standard of apparatus has to be secured to produce the colours of nature in reality1 and this is the reason why natural colour films have been slow in receiving commercial recognition4 ,the items entering into consideration are--extra equipment and extra help4 ,a colour-film has to be very realistic1 and to secure its real market value its ascendancy over the ordinary black and white film has to be proved4 ,if the 8projector0 required it to be elaborate1 the stage effects to be in unison1 its chances as a commercial venture are greatly reduced on account of the high cost of film rental4 ,the various expensive processes of production have greatly retarded its progress--hence its rarity4 ,colour films are usually accepted as natural colour films1 whereas1 in reality1 natural colour sometimes does not exist4 ,a great number of these natural colour films are hand painted1 mostly produced in ,france1 where this subtle art of colour deception is practised to advantage4 ,films are tastefully and artistically coloured1 requiring excessive patience and skill from hundreds of workers2 for it is no easy task to paint these miniatures1 measuring one inch by three-quarters of an inch4 ,this process of painting is carried out by stages4 ,one scene is gone through1 taking a single character--a house1 background or foliage in its various shades4 ,the process is tedious and there lurks the ever-present danger of making mistakes which would spoil the whole effect4 ,photography plays an important part in the reproduction in natural colours1 and the fact that dyes and chemicals can be used for this purpose is overlooked by many people--red1 orange1 green1 yellow1 violet and blue1 when mixed in varying degrees1 produce any shade known to the human eye4 ,the earliest attempt at a natural colour process for the film was made in #aijg2 the combined efforts and experiments of an ,englishman and an ,american4 ,their efforts were very successful1 the pictures being particularly clear and realistic4 ,an improved process has been developed which reproduces objects1 whether stationary or in motion1 bringing forth the natural colours to be found in nature at her best4 ,it is to be regretted that the colour films cannot be cheapened in the process of production1 for nothing delights the hearts of patrons more than to see before their eyes scenes and places with which they are familiar2 every object of still life 7plants71 or the living animals roaming amidst their natural-coloured surroundings4 ,,talking ,,films4 ,the talking picture commenced its venture1 fettered4 ,it was introduced to the public whilst in its infancy2 experiments had been few1 hence these two combining factors failed to work in harmony1 and consequently faith in its future progress was badly shattered4 ,the leading difficulty was the question of synchronising the sound and pictures1 for to speak accurately they must be in perfect step4 ,the simplest talking film is the combination of an ordinary phonograph and a projector4 ,the phonograph placed near the actors registers the sounds whilst the camera records the action4 ,in the question of synchronism lies the difference of the various schemes promoted in the past2 the two main essentials must be kept in unison1 otherwise the whole thing becomes a farce4 ,intricate time-arrangements1 synchronized motors1 loud-speaking telephone arrangements have yielded but poor results4 ,one attempt was tried whereby the film carried the sound record along one edge side by side with the pictures4 ,a stylus is made to travel in a groove on the film1 and apparently synchronization is complete1 but the test results turned out anything but satisfactory4 ,for recording sounds or speech1 sensitive microphones are distributed about the scene where the play is being acted4 ,these microphones are skilfully concealed1 in a fern or palm1 underneath a desk or table1 anywhere so that it is skilfully camouflaged from the vision of the actors taking part4 ,the sound waves impinging on the microphones are transferred to a circuit including a battery and a string-galvanometer1 highly sensitive2 the string attached to this galvanometer is hung over a series of very powerful electro-magnets1 and the slightest fluctuations in the current passing through it causes an immediate distortion4 ,powerful arc lamps are mounted at the rear of the camera and a beam of light penetrates through the galvanometer1 throwing a shadow of the wire on a steadily moving film behind a narrow horizontal slip4 ,the wire is so arranged that one side of the exposed film is always in the shadow1 the developed film shows a straight edge and a series of mountain tops1 or peaks4 ,the galvanometer is the heart of the sound recorder4 ,a single wire was employed in the earlier forms4 ,an oil bath is provided through which the upper part of the wire passes1 which damps the movement4 ,this instrument can be easily opened2 provision also being made for adjusting the wire best suited for the sound record4 ,the reproducing process is easy4 ,a fine telephonic relay1 highly sensitive1 is employed in circuit with the selenium cell and battery1 in addition1 a clear-speaking telephone with its own battery is operated in the secondary circuit4 ,the second record of the film is transmitted into sound waves1 which are generated throughout the cinema at the same time the pictures are being shown on the screen4 ,quite recently in ,london a new process was shown1 comprising a transmitter1 electrically connected by means of an ordinary telephone wire to the reproducing instruments1 which are placed in the frame of the screen1 and a double turntable carries the musical records1 which are automatically controlled by the film in such a way that the change from one record to another is made without pause or hesitancy1 and in absolute conjunction with the movement of the pictures4 ,an outstanding feature is that the apparatus can be easily connected with any existing cinema projector4 ,speaking-films of short duration are a great attraction and fairly successful to undertake1 but their real value as an effective synchronizer would be fairly tested reel film4 ,the obstacles to be overcome here would be tremendous2 it would mean constant rehearsing1 over and over again1 until the players were absolutely perfect in word as well as in action1 and the excision of any part of the film would interfere with the reproduction4 ,accidents sometimes happen to films1 such as tearing1 firing1 severe scratching1 and this necessitates the cutting away of part of the film4 ,this possibility of interruption is minimized in the new apparatus2 the operator can adjust the gramophone to make allowance for the cutting off of one or two feet of film1 but not beyond this extent4 ,lecturers find the film not altogether satisfactory to aid them in demonstrating their lectures2 the drawback lies in the fact that he sometimes wishes to stop the film to emphasize some particular passages in his lecture1 but a new process has now come to his aid which will relieve him of this anxiety4 ,the film is passed through a water jacket1 which is attached to the projecting machine1 and this enables film to be stopped at any point1 for any length of time4 ,this experiment has been made with current ranging from #cj to #fj amperes1 and even at #fj it has been found possible to maintain the film stationary for ten minutes4 ,take ,professor ,stirling's lecture4 ,a ,gallic cock is thrown upon a screen1 life-like in its pride and colours2 it ruffled its feathers and inflated its gorge1 and opened its beak1 then there came forth the most strident and triumphant cock-crows ever heard at dawn2 and so perfectly did the sounds correspond to the actions of the bird1 that it was almost impossible to believe that the real bird was not there4 ,after experiments extending over ten years1 a ,swedish engineer1 ,m4 ,sven ,berglund1 has succeeded in inventing a speaking film1 which ensures the simultaneous production of sound and action4 ,upon the heel of this invention comes another by an ,englishman2 the perfect voice-movement film having reached a definite advanced stage4 ,the invention of a synchronizer by ,mr4 ,claude ,h4 ,verity1 a ,harrogate engineer1 enables the operator1 by simply sliding a knob1 quite independently of observing the screen1 to work synchronization to #a-bdth of a second4 ,for operas with singing and music1 a child could operate it because there is a fixed tempo4 ,should the film break by accident1 the speaking can be shut off and taken up again4 ,a great advantage of the invention is that with the apparatus in projecting boxes the synchronized film could be circulated in the ordinary way4 ,still another invention by an ,englishman1 which goes a long way towards the perfection of these pictures1 is one by which the pictures are made sharper and deeper in tone1 besides being steadier2 this is done by a series of mirrors4 ,it has often been noticed that some of the pictures when thrown upon the screen lack 8body10 or shall we call it 8substance08 ,by this means the pictures are made more realistic than ever2 the natural lines on the human face are visible1 so life-like and human do they appear4 ,screen improvements are also taking place4 ,the new ,ekualite diminishes the amount of eyestrain1 and the front benchers may watch pictures without that periodical resting from the concentrated gaze4 ,it ensures perfect comfort of vision from any angle of a cinema hall4 ,it is needless to point out that the extension of the idea is possible1 the application of the cinematograph and chronophone are illimitable1 and how much more will the ,library lectures and 8,half-hour talks0 be appreciated6 ,hundreds of years hence1 our descendants may see and hear their forefathers as if their living ghosts talked and walked1 long after their bones have become dust4 ,,paper ,,films4 ,british ingenuity and invention has produced a further revolution in film production1 reducing cost and minimizing fire risks4 ,the inventor of this innovation in paper photoplay is ,mr4 ,martin ,harper1 of ,london1 who also has the credit to his name of producing the 8,extralite0 flickerless shutter4 ,the commercial samples have been described as 8everything the inventor claims for them40 ,these paper films will not blacken or singe1 which claim has been proved by subjecting them to the excessive heat generated by the projector1 and they are absolutely non-inflammable4 ,there is also an additional value to these films1 when shown on the screen3 they produce wonderful pictures1 soft in tone1 with more body than the celluloid films4 ,these films will withstand wear and tear1 the 8jumping0 of the film caused by vibration due to a well-worn film will be eliminated4 ,other advantages derived from the appearance of the paper film are that the cost of production is claimed to be only one-tenth of the celluloid film4 ,lighting cost of projection is reduced by one-third1 and the price of the projector1 which is simple in construction in comparison with the complicated lens system1 costs considerably less4 ,the outcome is obvious1 and there is every possibility of the film and the projector being introduced into the home for amusement and entertainment during family gatherings at a ,christmas treat1 etc4 ,some people have actually had films prepared of the gambols of their own children1 which in later years will be shown to them as 8what they used to be in childhood40 ,this idea will undoubtedly grow now that the paper film has appeared and proved its durability4 ,paper films will affect a whole number of concerns4 ,cinema-operating rooms need not be asbestos-lined to conform with fire-insurance policies2 cost of construction will be easier and cheaper1 and insurance rates will be lower4 ,the operator also will be relieved of that ceaseless vigilance so necessary with a celluloid film4 ,the existing bye-laws now governing film exhibitions under the ,cinematograph ,act will be questioned4 ,this ,act only covers celluloid films2 these printed paper slips are neither films nor celluloid4 ,all this reduced cost of purchase and maintenance will commend itself to private enterprises and manufacturers generally4 ,greater possibilities are foreshadowed in being able to demonstrate the efficiency of their finished articles4 ,the general use of the cinema in the schools has been 8tabooed0 in some quarters on account of the fire possibilities4 ,this difficulty has now been overcome1 so that one may see in the near future this voiceless teacher working and instructing the scholars4 ,much more could have been said dealing with technicalities--such as the construction of the camera1 editing1 acting1 trick photography and supposed realities2 spirit photographs1 cartoons becoming animated with life1 and moving sculpture--but these must be left to the imaginative mind of the critic4 ,,vii ,,conclusion ,upon reflection1 the effect produced by the cinematograph upon our lives and thoughts1 nay1 upon the nation as a whole1 must be considerable--morally1 physically1 spiritually1 mentally and psychologically1 for this form of amusement absorbs part of the daily thoughts of a considerable percentage of the ,british public4 ,the reaction upon the mind becomes apparent from the quality of the subject-matter shown4 ,there are certain members of the community who stand apart from this form of occupation of their leisure moments4 ,this lack of moral courage1 of the possibility of becoming tainted with the lower tone of some of the pictures1 is to be deplored4 ,let social workers and educationists view the films and judge for themselves2 and decry those films which1 in their opinion1 are unfit for mental consumption4 ,the greatest service can be rendered to humanity if the cinematograph be used in the right direction4 ,there is a crying need for more educational films4 ,this progression is retarded because production1 at the present time1 is centralized4 ,this centralization1 as we all well know1 takes place in ,america1 but before long there will be a breakaway1 and ,british producers will think for themselves and not be influenced by ,americanism4 ,the population of ,england and ,america is widely different4 ,the ,american population is self-supporting1 providing vast fields for opportunities1 and these opportunities are considerably helped by prevailing climatic conditions4 ,in ,england1 production is periodical1 governed by climatic conditions2 in ,america1 in ,california1 the weather conditions are ideal and consistent4 ,the two governing factors are at hand--financial support1 and the weather4 ,british productions have soared above the fourth-raters1 and the standard has undoubtedly risen during the last few years4 ,the recent cry of one ,british ,colony to the producers in this country was--8,send us more ,british films40 ,as stated before1 and voiced by the powerful press1 a more discriminating censorship is required4 ,if these duties were carried out more rigidly by an authorised person capable of giving an unbiassed judgment1 not only on questionable films1 but from the standpoint of national character1 such discretion would exercise the necessary restraining guidance4 ,the ,government subsidizes the dye industry1 and why should not the educational side of the film industry receive the same consideration8 ,this would produce 8standardized educational films10 and might lead to good results4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the cinema question is uppermost in the mind of the public1 and every phase is looked to with interest1 every new invention eagerly investigated1 and every suggestion for the raising of the masses1 both morally and mentally1 is given a whole-hearted support4 ,it is hoped that although there may be passages in this volume with which readers will not 8see eye to eye10 these pages will have been read with interest2 and will help educationists to realize more fully the great power that the film may become in the education of the people4 ,,the ,,london ,,and ,,norwich ,,press1 ,,limited1 ,,london ,,and ,,norwich1 ,,england 8,,library ,,advertising0 ,by ,,walter ,a4 ,,briscoe 7,grafton ,co474 ,some excerpts from ,press notices are appended3 ,,general ,,notices4 8,public ,libraries and their uses certainly need to be forced on the attention of the public a great deal more than they are1 and these very practical chapters on methods of advertisement by the ,nottingham ,city ,librarian ought to be of great service4 ,posters1 articles1 leaflets1 pamphlets1 announcements thrown on the ,cinema screen1 and other methods are discussed with many facsimile examples and designs1 specimen paragraphs and articles1 etc40--,times ,literary ,supplement4 8#8,publicity is the best policy1' says ,mr4 ,walter ,a4 ,briscoe in his book entitled #8,library ,advertising1' a work designed to advance the ,library ,movement by every means possible4 ,sections deal with ,publicity methods for ,public ,libraries1 ,rural library schemes1 ,library work with children1 the ,cinema and ,library1 etc41 and the author discusses the problem of bringing home to the public the need for an efficient ,library ,service from an entirely new standpoint40--,the ,publishers' ,circular4 8,i am inclined to think that ,mr4 ,walter ,a4 ,briscoe is right in holding that the best and fullest use is not made of such institutions1 because #8the people have not yet acquired the idea of thinking big about libraries--and until the populace get the ,library idea progress cannot be spelt with a capital ,p4' ,mr4 ,briscoe suggests the remedy for this in #8,library ,advertising'3 #8,we must proclaim our libraries from the hills1 so to speak1' he writes1 #8from the advertisement hoardings1 if necessary4 ,these may be new ideas not acceptable to the conservative mind4 ,obscurantist methods are out of date1 however4' ,and so he offers specimens of posters1 hints for #8publicity' campaigns1 etc4 ,hitherto1 ,i am afraid1 ,mr4 ,carnegie and ,sir ,henry ,tate have become better known and appreciated than the libraries they founded1 but ,mr4 ,briscoe's plans would certainly do something to alter this44440--,the ,westminster ,gazette4 ,,professional ,,papers4 8,this timely volume has for its motto3 #8,we often refer to the ,public ,library ,movement4 ,let us therefore ,,move4' ,mr4 ,briscoe designs the book to furnish suggestions to his readers1 most of whom must be half convinced of the necessity for this propaganda which is here so stoutly advocated4 ,the stimulating powers of this work should be great2 every activity of the ordinary man furnishes an excuse for reminding him that there is a book in the public library about it4 ,the volume is dedicated to the ,president of the ,library ,association1 who says3 #8,i have no doubt at all that the book will fill a very useful function in the work of public libraries4' ,we also learn that ,french libraries are preparing for a public discussion of the book1 a very gratifying tribute to its #8stimulating' properties40--,library ,association ,record4 8,the comprehensive title of this book by the fertile and vigorous chief librarian of ,nottingham is almost sufficiently descriptive of its contents4 ,for many years past ,mr4 ,briscoe has advocated advertisement on a bold and persistent scale1 and in his book proceeds to show us methods of locomotion which ,i believe will be suggestive to most librarians4 ,as a fervent believer in the necessity for wide and persistent advertising for libraries1 ,i recommend this book to my fellow-librarians4 ,they ought to read it40--,the ,library ,world4 8,we are convinced that in advertising is to be found the future success of public libraries4 ,nowhere are libraries used as they should be and in very few places their value and uses appreciated as they might be4 ,mr4 ,briscoe has dealt with one of the two classes of library advertising1 and has dealt with it in a practical manner4 ,the book is full of hints and suggestions for the librarian1 who must necessarily be his own publicity agent4 ,we heartily congratulate ,mr4 ,briscoe on what he has done44440--,the ,librarian4 8,,library ,,advertising10 ,grafton ,co41 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,transcriber',s ,,notes3 ,italicized text is surrounded by underscores3 italics4 ,obvious typographical errors have been corrected4 ,inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized4 ,archaic or variant spelling has been retained4