The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-09-09
MOTION PICTURES
OF BIBLE SCENES
MOSCOW MINISTER WRITES IN
TERESTINGLY OF GREAT
WORK NOW STARTED.

ST. Marks Episcopal church whose
dramatic work in Moscow and else
4 where in the northwest has won much
favorable comment, was recently Of
fered 500 per week and expenses to
take up motion picture work with a
firm that is dramatizing the Bible.
He looked over the field and turned
down" the offer. He prefers to con-
tinue his work with the church and
leaves Moscow next week to take the
rectorship of the Episcopal church at
Grinnell, Iowa, in connection with the
position of assistant professor of
English in the Grinnell University
At the request of the editor of this
paper the Rev. Mr.. Bridge consented
to write an article on the proposed
STU pue 9Iq!a qua 10 uo!4gZIlsWBIp
we'll written and interesting article
follows:
New Field For The Movies
The abuse of the movies by the va
rious Christian bodies is at present
a pet habit, not without some justifi-
cation. The picture show is crowd
ing out the churches; it is force
which no abuse can destroy because it
appeals to the fundamental dramatic
instinct and offers an intensely hui
man interest. But it can be used
"A
| great deal of the production at this
present time is definitely corruptive
of private and public morals. In the
present state of the public mind the
unclean picture brings big receipts.
1t is now up to the decent and Chris
tian forces of the country to advance
the production of pictures which will
both entertain and elevate and main
| tain an intense human appeal It is
encouraging to find that strong
group of churchmen who are also
successful business men have taken
this matter up seriously and organ
lied company to do ching which
strangely enough has never been at
tempted before, viz: to produce a
Cinema Edition of the Bible. There
is no collection of literature stronger
in dramatic possibilities, in live human |
interest, than the Christian Bible. In |
spite of modern criticism and tenden- |
cies it is the best seller the whole |
world over today. Its reproduction
in the movies, under the direction of |
scholars and picture directors of ma
tional repute is the aim of the Bible
Film Corporation of America.
The writer, as Chairman of the
Episcopal Social Service Commission
for Idaho, recently made complete
investigation on the spot of this cor
poration and is able to testify as
disinterested investigator to the sin
cerity and high aims of this organiza-
ton, as well as to to its fine business
organization and PERSONAL.
Executive Board
An Executive Board composed of
five of the leading ministers of Pasa-
dena, California, assisted by an adj
visory Board of fifty or more minis
tiers of many denominations from va
rious parts of the United States and
Canada will select the stories to be .
picturized and exercise general super
vision over their production.
The conception of the most noted
painters of Biblical subjects will be
followed in the selection of the play
ers for the character parts, costumes
and scenic settings.
Producing Staff
On the producing staff are such ce- 7
lebrities as DR.. Maxwell Ryder, for {
merly Professor of Biblical History ]
and Archaeology at Oxford, and whose
textbook on dramatic art is used in /
the leading Dramatic Schools of Eng
land. He has also had wide expert
ance in motion picture production and =
IS q noted playwright. !,
Dr. Allen Moore, a Church of Enc !
and rector, with seventeen years as :
in Palestine to his credit: :
mas been secured to insure accuracy
n costume, customs and scenic loca-
ions. Much of his life was spent
among the tribes of the Atlas noun L.
5ains who retain the customs and
lress of Biblical times. He has
brought to this country approximately
Jour tons of properties consisting of
Olows, implements, tools, household
saddles, costumes, ETC., for
Use in the production Of these pic
,ures
The cities of Palestine and Egypt
will be reproduced with the almost
to detail under the direction
# the Research Department.
It would be manifestly inappro-
)riate to use any socalled motion
,icture stars" in these productions as
is the Biblical character that is i'm
lortant rather than the personality
# any actor, and for this reason
haracter actors of the type most
uited to the particular character to
e protrayed will be selected
About one hundred young ladies of
haracter, education and refinement
re to be selected from various parts
the country TO ruse as extras" in
ortunate ones will be brought to Cal
ornia in charge of prominent club
omen as chaperons, with all living
nd travelling expenses paid for try
1T of at least ninety days. The San
abriel Film Corporation, San Ga
riel, California, will welcome appli-
atoms from any who may desire to
J considered in this connection.
The making of Biblical pictures has
zen urged by churches for several
ears but companies hesitated to I'M
srtake the work on account of the.
lcertainty of returns from pictures
ade for showing in the. churches and
hen the present plan was UNDER
ken it was after months of study
id research that type of picture
id method of handling the subject
IS evolved that was alike acceptable
the theatres and the churches.
The Organization
e -