The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-11-17
ST. JOHNSBURY
PASTOR FAVORS
PHOTO-DRAMA
Rev. DR.. Poole Gives an Ex'
celIent Account Of Advan-
tages Of the "MOvies"

Are motion pictures a benefit ol
detliment to the community?
Rev. Francis A. Poole, pastor ol
the South Congregational church
answered this question in no uncer.
tain terms at the Union Congregation
al church meeting at the Globe thea.
ter, Sunday night. For a frank
plain spoken, sensible outline~of the
position of the photo-drama in the
small city or large country town, the
statement of Rev. DR.. Poole was OF
unusual interest. DR.. Poole spoke
from the point of one who has first
hand information as he attends mo-
ton picture performances.
DR. Poole said in part:
al | thought that the movies were
detriment to the community
would not take this place-thc Globe
Theatre--to express my opposition
But | believe the movies to be a ben
eft to the community great bene-
fit--and one with still greater posi-
biltes.
''In St Johnsbury we are fortunate
in the management of our two thea
tres--the Please u and the Globe.
Both Mr.. ellison and Mrs. Graves are
giving US good pictures. They both
believe in doing what is best for the
community They secure the best
pictures it is possible for them 20
procure at this time There is great
promise in the fact that we have such
a photo drama as Little Women,
and that we have just enjoyed such
photo-plays as "His Majesty, the
American" and sDaddy-Long-Legs."
at was lot always that minis
ter of the Christian church could
come to the defense of amusements.
There was a time in the past when
the minister was called upon to de-
nounce all kinds of amusements. But
we are living in different times. 1t
has been found that forms of pleas
ure and play are good for us. Dr..
Cabot's new book says there are four
elements of life-work, play, love
and worship. 1t is the churches to
encourage recreations and amuse-
ments which are wholesome. The
church stands ready to give its ap-
proval and encouragement to the mo-
vies, especially as they are conducted
here in st. Johnsbury
The benefit of the movies is first
it affords amusement and entices one
out of the spirit which follows day
of hard work. In communities where
there are saloons, the owners have
protested ag; inst the location of mo-
ton theatres in their midst, saying
that the theatres injure their business
by drawing away their trade. The
motion picture puts before the mass
es wholesome form of entertain
ment which is within the reach of
their pocketbook. 1t is just what
the workers need a form of amuse-
ment which does not cost too much
and which has an element of educa-
tion as we'll as entertainment.
: The second benefit of the movies is
its educational feature. AT about
every performance we have the
showing of current events. Only last
week ] saw clos up views of King
Albert of Belgium and the Queen. 1t
is an education to become familiar
with international figures through
the screen Then there is scientific
gain. We see how different things
are made and created through the
medium of the film.
Then there is the moral aspect. 1t
is to be noted that the moral of the
film is always on the side of right.
The appaluse is always for the hero
who in an upright and honorable way
bests the william. Even as it is pos
sibe to criticize the church and say
how it is possible to make the church
results better, so it is possible to crit
icize the photoplay as to its moral
element.
Thackory said it was both indecent
and immoral to describe love making.
What movie is there but has love as
a leading theme? Thackory says that
love must be made with the lights
turned down and that the love ele-
ment must be taken for granted and
not described.
There is in the motion picture too
much love making. Too much set
ting forth of the doings of the fast
set and the lower. classes.
While the moral is in the right
place there is apt to be too much of
the exploits of the lower classes in
society. The hero, however, is al
ways the one who comes out straight
and decent in the end. Too much love
{ Continued on page six)