The Washington times., 1915-05-03
(: THE BEST
Photopldy Department in
WASHINGTON
Season Of Playground
Benefits Starts in
Photoplay Houses
This Week

"A practical beneft Of the motion
picture to the community at large 10
being realized In Washington this
week with the productions that are
being made at various theaters In
the interests Of certain Of the public
schools for the benefit Of the public
playground funds.
The utilization of the film thea
ters for this purpose was Inaugural
ted last year. and proved such a
SUCCESS that this year q number of
the schools have taken the matter
up and 1t Is probable that through
out this month benefits will be an
nounced by a number of the motion
picture houses.
The productions that are made on
these occasions are selected by the
teachers of the schools or whoever
IL in charge Of the benefit. in CONSUL
tation with the manager Of the thea
ter. Experience has taught those
In charge of such affairs that they
must make their arrangements far
enough in advance to permit the
theater manager to secure the films
1t Is desired to show. Experience
has also taught them that a program
consisting Of purely educational sub
5ects Is not a good program. This
means subjects that has no story at
tached.
There are hundreds of excellent
pictures that have very good story
values and still make excellent
educational subjects. There are also
numerous pictures that tell stories
that are particularly interesting to
children, fairy tales. innocent COM
edy. story-book pictures, and pic
lures that have child actors and
actresses. These should be included
In such benefit programs along with
some good educational or patriotic
subjects.
There has been 80 much written
about this sort Of thing, however.
that the people who have charge
Of such programs have mostly
adopted the mixed program idea
1t Is only that small group Of peo-
pie who are constantly talking about
educational ideas in pictures, but
who do not depend upon them for
their entertainment and practically
mover see a motion picture exhibi-
ton, who demand that programs
for children shall be made up en-
tirely Of the instructive sort OF pro-
ductions, which are most interest
ing. but very tiresome when an en-
tire program consists OF nothing else,
The first Of the school benefits
20 be given in the city so far Is that
OF the Morgan school at the Olym-
pic theater today and tomorrow.
The program that has been select
ed for each day is a model that
might well be followed. Today the
children are to see Cinderella" and
bill. Unlike most benefits, the same
crowd could go to both Of these
and be we'll entertained. "Cinder-
ella" Is one Of the stories that has
been dear to childhood practically
for centuries. 1t Is Just as dear to-
day as 1t was in that day before
printing was invented and it was
repeated TO the, little children by
generation. Almost any sort Of an
educational feature could follow
such a production and be watched
With attention.
"Fantasma" Is an entirely differ
ent sort Of film. filed with broad
comedy and situations that the chill
dren can easily understand. 1t Is
terry Aim and its transparent humor
Is most easily understood and en-
joyed. 1t makes little difference, in
such programs what the other fea-
ture happens to be. They will be en-
3oyed because Of the enjoyment that
has been obtained from the others.
The Olympic's two programs have
pie interested because there has been
large advance sale.
1t will be easy for other theaters to
follow the lead Of the Olympic in
this matter. 1t does not cost the
exhibitor anything to bow to the
wishes Of the designers OF the pro-
grams and secure the films they
On the other hand 1t makes friends
Tor the theater and will eventually
result In building UP good business.
G. M