The Washington times., 1915-07-30
THE BEST
Photoplay Department in
WASHINGTON
Interpret Laws With
Free Picture ShoWS
In Municipal
Fairgrounds

In several Of the larger cities Of
the country the desires Of the citi-
gems to be amused and to be edu-
Gated are being gratified by the public
playground directors at the same
time-with motion pictures. Motion
picture men are rather opposed to
free motion pictures in publ parks.
They are opposed to them for
reasons Of self-preservation. 1t must
be admitted that they have some
Justice in their plea that to put on
free motion pictures the city gov
ernment Is hurting ther business
business in which they have invested
money under the protection Of the
city. which means they have paid
out large sums to comply with
municipal regulations. whereas the
average municipal park shows costs
the city Little more than the price
Of a screen and the rental Of the
films
II the city confines itself to the
sort Of film shows that are called
educational-which the exhibitor has
not been able to make pay-the ex-
hibitor has not so much complaint
to make. although he is still a COM
plainant. However. the city shows
that are be ng given in the several
cit es of the country to which refer
ence has been made. are made up
largely OF kinds Of films that are
educational In municipal affairs and
1t would seem that films have q
special mission in this. d direction.
tn thA overa0a Ia rou, a..
unfathomable mystery. 1t 10 neces-
sary to hire a lawyer to get even an
opinion as to what the law real
ly means. and then this opin-
Ion is liable to numerous con-
structions until tt is finally con-
strued by the Supreme Court Of the
United States. To the average citi-
zen municipal regulations are more
intricate than statute law because
Of their multiplicity, their peculiar
wording. and their vital effect On the
citizens daily life.
II the average man Is given a defi-
mite reason for anything he can
usually understand it and appreciate
the necessity for it-if II happens to
be a law. Therefore. 1t is becoming
the custom for city fathers in New
York and Boston and Chicago to con-
strue their municipal regulations In
motion pictures. That means that
they translate the laws or regula-
tons into plays which show just
what Is meant.
The play will show how the law
u violated and what happens to vio-
lators-quite aside from the punish
ment that might be meted out for
violation Of the law. And then the
law is obeyed This is particularly
compelling when the law thus inter-
preted has something to do with the
health regulations. And the citizens
like to see this sort Of things. too.
They want to learn something about
motion pictures show generally.
For instance. in Boston last week.
according to the Boston Transcript,
spectators varied in number from
1000 to l2.Ooo-at North End Park
on Monday evening the police esti-
eager were people to see the pic
lures and hear the accompanying
music that they discovered for
themselves what the professional
theaters have not yet realized. Ex-
cept that the lettering of titles is
perfectly seen on the back of the
screen as on its front. Programs
are so balanced that the total effect
Is that Of being entertained. not
compulsortly educated.
To illustrate. here are the main
features of the park show the other
evening on the common states the
Transcript Current news by mo-
ton pictures: Better Babies pic
ture illustrating what Is being done
by the Milk and Baby Hygiene Asso-
ciation: the activities Of the Boston
Young Mems Christian Union; scenes
In Ireland. as the travel feature: mo.
ton epieram and quotation slides;
sports of the nations: children who
labor; comedy feature. Billy patri-
otic feature, slides showing Presi-
dent Wilson. followed by the Stars
and Stripes. accomps MED by the mu-
sic of 'Star-Spangled Banner
I'm New York the public picture
entertainment Ia still largely restrict
ed to teaching what the health board
would like citizens to know for their
own welfare. AS films grow better.
the opportunities for the Boston idea
will multiply. Directors Of children's
Fairgrounds may conceivably find
added usefulness in guiding adults
along methods Of amusement no less
attractive because free and ipnprov-
inRn