Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-27

American Clues. Present COnulliOuS |
are due largely to the failure Of the
public to ask for the worthy and the |
enlightening in motion pictures. Such |
reels have been prepared by the thou
sand by the pioneers in the craft who |
have dreamed visions as they toiled |
in dark rooms to benefit the world. |
These pictures have been uncalled for !
and all but one in 80 are beyond reach |
out of print. The motion picture
people are not to blame. 1t is the
public which has allowed this great
influence to fall into time killing and
unworthy service.
The speaker told of many visits to
local picture theatres when appointed
to the Craftsmanship of a committee
of the Tri-City Social Service club.
committee to examine as to the char
acter OF films shown in local picture
theatres. So long as the examination
proceeded the pictures were found TO
be commercially moral in tone. Some
were International, others merely
pretty little stories of no Importance,
others making a strong appeal to the
emotions without any particular les
son, many OF the witless misrepresent-
ing, revolver waving western type.
Coarse and criminal pictures have been
shown in the tri-cities but those who
are now entertaining the public seem
! to be honestly trying to keep within
the proprieties and provide recreation
without offense. From personal obser-
walton 1t would seem that few of the
pictures shown hereabout are open
to criticism, a larger number are in
formational and wholesome and the
largest portion Of no force or import
ance, ephemeral trifies meant to fash
upon the screen for a day and fall into
the discard. The ordinary photoplay
has about the mental stimulous Of a
novel or drama of similar grade and
callbre.
The speaker discussed at some
length the value of pictures in educa-
ton, the optical lantern having long
been used for illustrating daily the
lessons taught in higher institutions of
learning. The headings in one cata-
logue Of educational films covered the
whole range of human interest. 1t
will probably be left for philanthropy
to unlock this treasure house of learn
ing and disseminate this magical pow
err for instruction. II is beyond the
ability OF those who make films or
those who exhibit them. Those who
would appreciate these things either
~
as to their utilization. One of the
greatest fields of research is that of
bacteriology where through conjunc-
ton of the microscope and motion
camera germs and microbes in full &C
tivity may be studied upon the screen
magnified some 100000 times.
Reference was made to late inter.
view with Edison in a widely circulat-
ed weekly and the conclusion drawn
that the wizard talked more like an
, enthusiast than a man of science when
| he planned to abolish books from the
, schoolhouses of the future. The sub
| jects in which the text may be power
fully illustrated and reinforced by the
, motion picture are many, but they dc
: not compromise the whole curriculum
: The subjects in which textbooks can
| be entirely displaced are few indeed
J The power of the motion picture is
, great enough. 1t does not need ex
travagant claims to make it important
: Its proper mission is to illuminate and
] reinforce the text with magic power
, and brilliancy, to replace tedious ex
= PLANTATION. The power of the motion
picture to interest and instruct has
had good exemplification at Friendly
: house where during the last two
t months 80 audiences of school children
: an attendance of 1920, have beer
shown free of expense a choicely Sc
2 lected series of films. They have trav
: eled around the world with the artists
: of the illustrated weekly, have seer
? launchings, and professions, have
s shaken hands with royalty, looked ovel
: the Keokuk dam, become acquainted
/ with lizards and frogs, hermit crab!
and fish, have visited the great nation
s al parks and the Tyrol, have scanned
e the battleflelds of the Balkan war>anC
! studied the manufacture Of rubber
f They have watched the Cornell boy
D play football and been charmed b!
q Cinderella and Tom Thumb. Quota
r ton was made from Rev. Charles
= Stelzle- in charge of the Labor Tempo
D in New York City: There is no me
l. dunn better adapted TO teach children
Z the wonders Of the earth and tn
d strong moral lessons IN story form
d We think that the children learn man,
8 things in this way that they coult
|. not otherwise be taught"