Pueblo chieftain., 1921-10-03
GOVERNMENT MOVIES

advertising the state. but this venture.
like most of its kind. depends on state
funds to finance 1t. The pictures are
to be distributed free.
The Canadian government offers
some of its films free to schools and
clubs, but for the most part distributes
official pictures thru big, well cstab-
lishcd moving picture concerns. and
charges regular rates for them. They
become a part of the programs in the
various movie houses all over the
country. Tho idea In that people ap-
preciate and are moro interested in
something they pay for than some
thing they get for nothing. So the
moving picture bureau of the govern
ment decided to make its film good
as or better than tho commercial ones.
and to offer 1t to the trade. The plan
worked. Tho government productions
are in demand. Moreover. the films
practically pay for themselves, and as
publicity they are invaluable to the
country.
ago with the purpose of showing not
only people of other countries. but
Canadians as we'll. what Canada Is
like. II is a well known fact. to quote
one instance that while many Ameri-
cans go to Alonquin Park in Ontario
for vacations. Canadians find 1t more
of an adventure to cross tho border
and come down to the Maine woods to
rest So a picture of Algonquin Park is
regarded as novel entcrta inment
among Canadian audiences. Just as a
moving picture of the Mt. Shasta re-
gior would be something new to a
large part OF New York audience.
Even tho old legend of Canada be-
ing largely the frozen north obtains
To some extent among southern
ers say: "a good deal OF what Is now
regarded by intelligent Canadians as
arid. snow covered land IL not barren
the year around. The Mackenzie Basin
with its short. hot summer Of long
days is promising wheat land. But It
takes days to get there, and the cour-
try is not opened up. and never will
he. SO long as people dismiss II as tho
frozen north. We arc taking pictures
there and In other regions where pic
lures, showing real conditions, have
never been taken before.
CANADA NOT ALL COLD
There is a frozen. Arctic region in
Canada. 1t Is true. But that is not
Canada as it has been developed. and
as people should think of the country
in general. Because so many people
do think OF 1t in that vague way tho
wide variety OF climate. scenic effects.
cities. and types of people arc now and
interesting stories to Canadians as
much as to others
Actual returns to a country from Ain
publicity can scarcely he estimated.
but C6hada rates her film activities Hs
an invaluable method OF showing poo
pic in other countries what tho Ca
madam land is like, how tho people
live, and what industries and arts
thrive there.
This is more important to Canada
than II would he to England. for In
stance. or to France. The world in gem
eral has q fairly correct idea Of tho
place of these two countries in civil
lization. But Canada is apt to be dis
missed as largely backwoods. Show
in cross sections of Canada life
abroad arouses interest in the country
and that means trade. settlers. Wis
itors. and that important asset good
will. Canada Is not the only country
to accept the doctrrca that It pays 10
advertise.
Every big government in the world
has some sort of publicity crEs nizatiou
to advertise itself since the war. Re.
fore then. publicity and advertising