The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-05-30
MOVIES DO MUCH TO
CREATE FRIENDSHIP
People of Brazil Are Enabled to
Better Understand Peo-
pie of U. S.
BY II. 3. ROBERTSON.
United Press Staff CORRESPONDENT.

Rio de Janerio, (SpeciaD-Before the
war the average Brazilian's ignorance
OF the American and his activities was
vast-as vast as the average Ameri-
an ignorance of the Brazilian and his
affairs.
Now, after more than three years of
war confusion, the Brazilian has his
ideas about the Yankee, and fairly
clear Ideas they are, too. The change
expected agent-the American motion
picture film.
Much has been said and written
about the Tightening of Pan-American
ties. Conventions there were at which
representatives Of the more than 20
western continent republics banqdeted
n made speeches. Commercial in
terests strove to weave tight the web
Of business relations. Diplomats piled
plans and policies for the common ac-
ceptance of the Monroe doctrine. The
press of the two continents clamored
for q Qualification Of American in
terests. But h man who is putting
1t over" is h impressario Of the cellu-
loid stage.
For it follows, as day follows night,
that Pan-American ties of friendship
are possible only when the friends are
acquainted with each other. Seeing
American implements Of progress In
action creates a commercial demand
for those implements. Living scenes
of the American in his home and bust
ness makes the American character
understood and appreciated. and the
task of the diplomat becomes easy.
Formerly he had to combat the notion
that the Americans soul was stamped
with the dollar sign. and that his in
stincts We're im~perialistic. The interest
aroused by screen pictures Of America
has caused demand for news and know
ledge of the happenings in that coun-
try and the columns of the press now
show a fair proportion of events made
in u. S. A." And the picture plays
the thing that did 1t.
Before the war Brazil was receiving
practically all Of its motion picture
films from Europe, principally from
France n Italy. But the film bust
ness not being considered among ne
cessities, it was n of the first to suf-
fer. Many Of h stars Of European
filmdom literally became shooting
trenches, and the feminine portion o
to Red Cross and knitting. Materials
used in production of films were need
ed for munitions. Transportation to
South America became difficult. The
result was that the European supply
of films was almost completely cut off,
There was wailing and woe in Bra
lillian movie fandom. But in the
midst of this wailing and woe the
American hero, with a sombrero on his
head and an unerring iX-shooter In
his hand, came galloping to the rescue.
He galloped, right into the warm heart
of the Brazilian, and presto, the maiden
was saved, the solen papers restored,
the william vanquished, and Pan-Ameri-
can solidification became as simple as
q recipe for apple pie.
There is scarcely n movie" house
in Brazil tina is not showing American
films. The same shows that are being
put on in every city and village of the
United States are doing their turns
here. and probably at about the same
time. The Brazilian is fond OF action
In his film plots and the American com
panies are giving 1t in q way never
seen in the European product. William
S. Hart, Dustin Farnum, George Walsh.
Charlie Chapman, and all the other
stars in the American constellation are
twinkling to. popular approval down
under the Southern Cross.
The popular mind is vastly aston
ished and somewhat appalled, at the
movie version Of the American girl.
Her independence and freedom-her
self assertion and ability to manage
for herself-the respect with which she
Is treated by men with whom she as
sociates as with equals. is the cause