The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-03-18
MENTIONING THE MOVIES
BY PROTECTOR.

BY PROTECTOR.
NEW DISCIPLE"-LABOR FILM.
After a constant stream of hostile
pro-plute propaganda films it is a
pleasant relief to see a "labor film, "
even tho its theology be wishy-washy
and its technique imperfect. ''The
New Disciple" revived by the Chi
cago Federation of Labor for run
at the -Aryan Grotto, is one Of three
pictures made under labor auspices
and with the backing of the A. F. Of
L. It tells good labor story: a
small capitalist, enriched by war pro-
fiteering, widens the gap that separ-
ates him from his erstwhile fellow
workers, and listens to the advice Of
the Big Business representative who
secretly plots his ruin. There is an
unsuccessful strike and a lockout,
and some good material against the
so-called american Plan" Finally
the schemes of the Trust to buy up
the plant and dismantle it are
thwarted by the local business men
and farmers who see their own ruin
if the wage-workers do not quickly
tget back under the yoke of exploita-
ton.
But the film does not say it that
way. Its theology would certainly
not stand the test of Communist
principle, from Main Title to "The
End" it reeks with the social com
pact" reformist viewpoint Of those
who call their unionism ''pure and
simple" The picture is just this
pure enough for the babies and sim
pie, too,-too simple. It even has
the praise of Sam Gompers.
The main title, specially made for
the Chicago presentation, is a gem of
fundamental misunderstanding. It
is almost impossible to credit to John
Fitzpatrick, whose excellent state
ment on the need Of a labor press
Immediately follows, the authorship
of such inane bosh. "Strife often fol-
lows Misunderstanding" begins the
title, and goes on to justify the mere
existence Of the labor movement be-
cause cit snlists the thoughts, en-
ergies and ideals Of great numbers"
who seek protection against "employ-
ers who seek profits so greedily that
they disregard the welfare (of the
worker). '"The New Disciple" it
concludes, ''has a purpose in society.
1t is to help bring about a public
understanding of labor and unionism
to the end that ignorance and bigotry
may not be used by selfish individuals
to fan the flames of industrial
antagonism."
Not word Of class conflict of
economic interest inherent in the
wage system as the explanation OF
industrial antagonism 1t is all
due to misunderstanding" and "sel-
fish individuals" who use Ignorance
and bigotry'' to fan the flames of
class war. Precisely the charge made
by the Chamber of Commerce against
the labor movement
This main title is truly the KEY
note thruout the picture and at times
the attitude is entirely naive. Wood
row Wilson's 'The New Freedom" is
referred to constantly turnout the
film and the advertisement indicates
that the picture is founded on this
Dbunk book. The picture cannot rise
much higher than the meagre intel
lectual and theological foundations
upon which it is built.
There is nothing wrong with the
picture except its little faulty lighting
on interior sets. The acting and
casting, generally is superb. The ac-
tors are finely chary and makeup and
behave like real human beings. But
the titles! The many different
varieties indicate that many changes
have been made during the life of
the picture, probably to adapt it to
different audiences. This last adapta-
ton must have been the least success
full of all since a very small crowd
came out to the first performances
despite the backing of the Chicago
Federation of Labor. Bad weather
might have contributed to keepin0
the attendance small. Two musical
numbers and Musicians Union band
rounded out the program.
This picture could be titled into
ripping picture. But it would take a
straight class struggle viewpoint to
put the lacking punch into it. When
it was first produced Woodrow's
sacred passages and his sanctified phiz
may have been desirable camoufaoa
to get it passed by censors and sucb.
But today, when worker and farmer
has his back to the wall, such stuff
misses fire. A labor picture TODAY
must have fire, Il must have punch.
But even as it is "The New DiscinIe"
is pleasant relief from the puerile
stuff fed us by the commercial pro-
ducers, and Daily Worker readers will
spend an enjoyable evening at the
Grotto during its run. Any effort
at labor film production deserves the
support OF every worker, and Il is to
be expected that our first efforts In
this field will leave some things to be
desired.