University Missourian., 1910-11-11
WHAT OTHER JOUR-
NAILS ARE SAYING
Checking Motion Pictures.

| In maintaining a firm stand against
the Introduction OF motion pictures in
to BrCokline, Mass, the selectmen of
that largest and wealthiest town in the
world act consistently. Every effort
to secure locations there for exhibit
tons of the character mentioned has
| failed, for what appear to be good and
sufficient reasons. Promises of in
tent to make quality the key to selec-
! ton of views have been weighed with
the understanding that syndicates u.s.
Eally dictate subjects for films. while
small proprietors feel obliged to ac-
cept them without protest This is q
point on which the general public is
becoming enlightened, and it does not
alter the fact that other towns, as
well as Brcokline, could refuse fur
ther licenses TO shows until the char
acter of the exhibitions made them of
eaucative value.
One OF the aims in Brookline has
been to keep civic standards high. In
promoting intelligence in the homes.
the schools and the conduct OF town
affairs, cleanliness has been the motto
adopted ard lived up to so far as it
has been possible of application. Thus
has the attractive suburb vindicated
ito sCmc extent its action IL declining
to adopt tie city form OF government.
In tie last few years Boston, nearby,
has become 4 v2r,taa!a mecca for mo-
ton picture exhibits: one finds them
il practically every available nook and
corner. Melodramatic in tendency
as a rule, the views displayed have
an emotional atmosphere that leaves
iinpres ions net always worthy of per-
petuation. Better subjects, ably por-
trayed, frequently are saIdwichcd in
for variety's sake. but not yet has
There been an advance to satisfying
standards. The selectmen of Brook
line. ever watchful over that towns
future as well as present interests,
doubtless had their opinions nodded
by the average motion picture show in
Boston, which deserves only qualified
appreciation.
Recently cities and towns in all
parts OF America and soms abroad de-
cried a certain class of motion pic
lures tending to hang attractiveness
on sordid display that in lasting eff
fects might have taken a place sec
ondary to thousands of views now
screened. While the expression of
sentiment, awakened by press. school
land pulpit, was evidential of public
feeling, now noticeable it is that the
wave of opposition lost strength af-
ter exhausting its force on this soli-
tary instance! Spasmodic attempts
at reform of any sort are futile and
especially is this true of the motion
picture. If BrOokline desires to guard
Its children's thought until higher
standard Of pictures is adopted
by those who control the output, that
town wins further merit by eyercis-
ing right inherent, but dormant in
other communities. When syndicates
are made TO see that the manufacture
OF pictures worth forgetting is un-
profitable, the step toward films that
take advantage OF the picture ma.
chimes vast educative possibilities
will be quickly perceptible. - Chris
tian Science Monitor.
The Baldwin Readers. The we'll
known Baldwin readers, edited bv
James Baldwin, seek Ito entertain the |
young reader; to cultivate taste for
the best literature, as regards both
thought and expression; to point the
way to an acquaintance with good
books; TO appeal to the pupils sense
Of duty and strengthen his desire to
write; to arouse patriotic felings and
4 just pride in the achievements of
Dur countrymen; and, incidentally to
add somewhat to the readers knowI-
edge of history and science and art"
Published in excellent form bv the
Amprinan Ropk CnmDapv