Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1910-08-06
EDUCATION OF MOVING
PICTURES.

PICTURES.
How to make use of the moving pic
ture for moral development instead of
degradation is a problem that is be-
ing discussed In every town and ham
let where the moving picture is
shown.
Not long ago a correspondent writ
ing 10 the Bulletin declared his
belief that the moving pictures of
murders, robberies. Illicit love AFFAIRS,
and other evil doings do more harm
than intoxicating liquors At the time
the letter was published, many local
people were SO overweight with
Lneir discussion Of the liquor question
that the comparison could not be
treated In an unimpassioned manner
There is no doubt that a great many
Intelligent persons believe with the
correspondent referred to. And these
people are not found only in the city
of Honolulu. u.u...n. .r
The protection Of youth from the
influences OF evil moving picture
scenes ls fast becoming national
movement One magazine, Good
Housekeeping, has taken up the
cause and some good result is bound
10 come Of II.
Moving pictures are more degrad-
ing than the dime novel," says Prof
William A. McKeever. the well-known
author and philosopher in August
Good Housekeeping Magazine.
f"H''is great popular -craze=pop-
ular partly because II is cheap, but
chiefly because OF the fact Of MS real.
istic nature. For some generations in.
this country we we're called upon. to
do battle with the yelloM back--the
dime novel-which fght=rhas been
practically won by us. The Srheap,
trashy story has at laa beeu driven
into the more remote and less zen
lightened corners of the thinnJ perl
odicals: But precisely of the same
chsraeter as the cheap storp, and I'm
times more poisonous and hAftruf 20,
character in It's results, is the moving
picture show when in the hands OF a
man whose first concern is to draw
crowd and make II pay.
"If the citizens OF any community
should assemble with the purpose of
LAYING plans and devising means
,.hn.ahx, o., ,aa,l, ;p,,nnratitv nhacap-
ity and crime, can think of no bet
ter way definitely and certainly to
bring about such results than the use
Of the moving picture show as II is
ter, this picture business. We tax
ourselves heavily for educational pur-
poses. and employ teachers in The
schools TO inculcate, among other
things, certain higher moral prin-
eiples. In fact. we agree that the end
Of all teaching In the schools is moral
character, and then we permit and
license these cheap and vitiating
shows to run, and we permit our chill
dren to attend. and not only unlearn
all the moral lessons OF the schools,
but learn directly many Of the immor-
al lessons that were once confined to
the worst centers of our largest cit
les. In fact the motto of these NOV
ingipicture organizations might be
this A red-light district in easy
reach Of every home. See the MUIR
ders and the debauchery while you
wait. II is only a nickel
They represent real fesh-and blood
forms and impart their lessons d.
recuy through the senses. The dime
novel cannot lead the boy farther
than his limited Imagination will al
low him to go. but the moving picture
forces upon his view scenes that are
new; they give him the first-hand ex-
perience
A"ln our attempt to bring about re-
form In the moving-picture business
We must bear strictly in mind the
purpose for which this business is at
present conducted-namely TO make
money, II we can bring or force the
manufacturer and local manager 10
the conclusion that cleaner business
VIII also be profitable. then they will
readily fall into line with us. What
me situation needs now is public dis
cussion and agitation. So, let the