The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-11
New Factor In
Civic Affairs To
Be lnaugurated

Temple theatre, there viii be inaugu-
rated in Birmingham a new factor In
civic affairs and community life in that
there has been established in connec-
ton with the Temple theatre, a depart
ment Of public service and education,
under the direction of Miss Maud
Mcclure Kelly. In speaking of this,
Miss Kelly said
ut is indeed a pleasure to announce
that Birmingham also is to have pub
lie service and educa tional department
in connection with this, its newest and
largest theatre. The motion picture In
dustry has grown by leaps and bounds
until it is now one of the largest in
dustries in the country. Because 1t Is
easier to most of us to learn by seeing
than in any other way, and because
motion picture theatres are found al
most everywhere, this industry offers
a means for civic betterment that can
be compared only to churches and
schools. But, for one reason or an
other, this great opportunity is not be-
ing developed as IL apparently might be.
The Will Fl. Hays movement is an eff
fort in this direction by the producers
and distributors Following closely
upon this was the Inauguration, less
than two years ago, of the public serv-
ice and educational department work
by the Crandall theatres in WASHINGTON,
by which the exhibitors are attempting
tn discharge civic body. Philadelphia,
Detroit, Pittsburg and New Orleans
exhibitors, believe, have also es-
tablished such departments, and now
our own Birmingham is the sixth city
in the United States to do SO.
The object of this department Is
literally the name public service and
education. 1t ia not press agents
dream. nor has it any direct connection
with the box office. except, Of course,
that box office success of the theatre
as whole is essential to the continued
operation of any part of the theatre, in
Guiding this department. It's work
can probably best be told by telling
something of the work and achievements
Of the first of these departments, that
of the Crandall theatres, in Washing.
ton. under Mrs. HARRIET Hawiey
Locher-who, by the way, is national
president of the League of American
Penwomen, and is as capable and
charming as one should be to fill such
n post. Mrs. Locher has, with the CO.
operation of various organizations.
such as the Boy Scouts of America, Girl
Scouts, Children of the American
Revolution, Camp Fire Girls, Municipal
Fairgrounds. Girl Reserves, Y. w. @.
A., Boys club and Trinity Community
House, developed special rnatinees for
young people. Then special programs
were prepared for private showinss IN
her studio to assist these organizations
in their work.
"As an outgrowth of this came com
munity service meetings, held one day q
week in each residential theatre. at an
hour when it was not in use for regu.
lar performances, for the viewing Of ina
iformational films and for the forum
discussion Of topics of importance Ia
the community in the line Of civic bet-
terment and the promotion Of n higher
type of citizenship. No admission
charge and no solicitation of contribu-
tons is made at these meetings The
Mothers congress, the municipal play
grounds and many other similar or
CARNATIONS have availed themselves OF
the opportunity to have community
service hours under their auspices. The
work has extended till closer eo-opera-
ton with churches, Parent-Teacher as
soclations, patriotic societies and the
various clubs has been made possible.
"Then, through this department, all
of the public schools in Washington,
near enough to the Crandall residential
theatres. have been extended the use
of the theatre for visual instruction in
connection with their regular class
work and the summer vacation Bible
schools give a similar opportunity to
the churches. The next field was in
connection with the Americanization
school of the District Of Columbia board
of education. In these classes, the
foreign-bOrn are not only taught our
language. but are taught American
history, and American life and Gus
stoms, and American ideals, as a con-
structive means of preparing them for
citizenship.
"Of course. Mrs. Ioeher has a chain
of residential houses a. well as down.
town one with which to work. and The
civic problems of Washington and Rir-
mingham are esseutiallv different hut
Birmingham has many. MANY civic
problems The Masonic fratarn;tv il
instinctivelv associated With good citi.
zenshin The nronerietors Of tbe Ter,.
ME theatre Feel that tSev have a nnb.
lie dutv 70 narform and there arc v,snv
many citizens who would Iika n IL
something towardr solving the vsriors
civic problems. The nnblic service and
educational department. then. Is offered
as medium Of contact between the an
hibitors and fine nubIic
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