The New York herald., 1922-09-27
Clergymen in
Discussion for
Better Pict lures
Movie Men and EDUCATORS
Join in Program at
Luncheon.

Two luncheons for motion picture in
terests and leading educators. welfare
workers and clergymen were held yes
terday to consider means of advancing
the movies from educational. religious
and cultural aspects. The luncheon
which Fred Warren. vice-president of the
American Releasing Corporation, gave
TO prominent clergymen of the Protes-
tant. Roman Catholic and Jewish faiths
at the Hotel Astor, as part of the reg
uar weekly meeting Of the Theater own
ers Chamber OF Commerce, developed
considerable interest particularly when
Rabbi Joseph Silverman opposed the
teaching Of religion by means of films in
theaters.
Before the rabbits address several
priests and ministers, among them Dr.
Frank Crane, had advocated dissemna-
tion OF ideas of spiritual uplift on the
screen. as means Of bringing religion
more directly home 10 the 100000 in
New York State alone who view the
silver sneet daily. Mention was also
made OF an enterprise to present Biblical
scenes, which. 1t was stated. had been
accurately located In Parlestine and
transferred to the films for the sake Of
their historical and geographical interest
When 1t became his turn, DR. Silverman
said
You can't teach religion without
teaching theology. There are no such
things as general ideas of religion. Every
one has his own conception of religion,
which means his own theology.
The only place to teach religion is in
the churches. the synogogues and the
nrh telas s.et
TO produce pictures TO be shown in sun
Gay schools that is another matter. But
you can't have pictures shown in public
and treating of religious themes without
giving offense. | had a personal expert
ence of this recently. ! saw a feature
picture advertised and as | wanted 10
see, it i went inside. Before the feature
several religious pictures were shown
which had not been advertised outside.
Those of us who neld a different faith
had to sit there. irritated, while another
religion was depicted"
on the Biblical film DR.. Slverman
said
Some of the places mentioned among
the subjects for this picture never ex-
isted Others existed two or three thou
sand years ago, but don't exist now. You
can't pick out rock and say that this
and had his dream. Such a story is only
a dream.
There are many such stories, which
are only allegories--iction. They are
myths that have no historical value.
While many of the subjects mentioned
are true. there are a great many which
are untrue"
At the Hotel Biltmore the Better Pic
lures Association of the World demon
started the practical plan which has
been evolved for the Improvement of the
motion picture situation and which Is
expected to have the cooperation OF VIII
Hays and his Committee of Twenty, who
were represented by Col. Jason JOY.
Several speakers gave the nine points
OF the Better Pictures Association of
the World, which is A non-proft mem
bership organization operating for the
benefit Of the public and for tho de-
velopment of the art of the motion pic
ture.
Following the luncheon there was a
pre-vlew of the latest George arliss pic
ture Man Who Played God" which
those present were asked TO judge.