Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 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. (Special)-Before the
war h average Brazilian's ignorance
of the American and his activities was
vast-as vast as the average Ameri-
cans 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
was brought about by an utterly I'M
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 %banqueted
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 a Qualification Of American in
terests. But the man who is putting
1t over" is the impressario OF the cellu-
loid stage. z
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 he 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, were imperialistic. The interest
aroused by screen pictures Of America
has caused demand for news and know
ledge OF the happenings in that coun-
show a fair proportion OF events "made
in u. S. A." And the picture plays
the thing that did it.
Before the wal Brazil was receiving
practically all Of its motion picture
films from Europe. principally from
France and Italy. But the film busi-
ness not being considered among ne
cessities. 1t was one of the FIRST to suf-
fer. Many of the stars Of European
filmdom literally became shooting
stars" having% been called to the
trenches, and tie feminine portion took
to Red Cross and knitting. Materials
used in production Of films We're need-
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 six shooter in
his hand, came gallopirg 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 solidiflcation became as simple as
a recipe for apple pie.
There is scarcely q movie" house
in Brazil that Is not showing American
films. Tae same shows that are being
put on 10 every city and village OF the
United States, are doing their turns
here, aid probably at about the same
time. The Brazilian is fond of action
In his 6lm plotsSand the American com.
panies are giving it In a way never
seer in the European product. William
S. Hart, Dustin Farnuni, George Walsh
Charlie Chapman, and all the othel
stars In the American constellation are
twinkling to popular approval dowr
under the Southern Crosse
The popular mind is vastly aston
ished and somewhat appalled, at thu
movie version Of the American girl
Her independence and freedom-hel
self assertion and ability to manage
for herself-the respect with which oh,
is treated by men with whom she -.
sociates - with equals. Is III cause