The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-14

~~SA WSlCOiHeu Dy enbn1aled audien
1t is reported that this screen
masterpiece has been presented ap-
proMmately three thousand times,
10 upward Of three million people.
Reports from cities where it has
been shown verify the statement
that the Film Memorial" is com
parable only to visit from the
war President. himself, so graphic
ally does it portray him-frst of
all in his rapid ascent to power,
when he literally was worshiped
by the world, and then, later, when
he was deserted by his fellow-cit
liens, dying eventually the death of
a martyr to his cause.
n n
THE local presentation of the
Il Woodrow Wilson Me
mortal" just at this particular
moment, is most timely, in view of
the recent return of the United
States to her role of helpmate
among the nations of the Old
World whose assistance and sup
port by Woodrow Wilson is detailed
wildly in the picture.
Partisans as we'll as opponents of
the American policy of isolation"
will find in this historical screen
record of Americas participation in
old world events ample stimulus for
maintenance or modification of
their respective arguments
The scenes to be shown are all
motion pictures of the real Wood
row Wilson. None of the pictures
is artificial or posed. The scenes
include the two inaugurations the
presidential life in the White
House; his intimate relations with
his family; his administration of
the affairs of the nation; the incl
dents leading up TO the declaration
of war; the sinking of American
ships by enemy submarines; the &C
tual declaration of war; the draft
ing of Yankee soldiers; the Liberty
Loan campaigns.
Then there are graphic scenes of
the transportation of troops to
France; the actual battles of the
war; the killing and the manning
of Uncle Sans men on the field of
battle; the receptions in France,
England, Belgium and Italy; the
negotiation Of the peace treaty; his
first return trip to America; his re-
ception in Boston by Governor
Coolidge; his return to France to
complete his work for world peace;
also are shown the activities of the
Big -Four; the completion of the
peace treaty; Wilson'S final return
to America and reception in New
York by Franklin D. Roosevelt; his
appeal to Caesar" when he made
his fatal trip to the Pacific coast;
his collapse, REIMBURSEMENT of
office, lingering illness, last public
appearances, death and burial.
n
TINE origin of the woodrow Will
Il son Film Memorial" its main
tenance and the method by which
it has been distributed throughout
the country constitute record Of
loyalty and devotion to Woodrow
Wilson, on the part of his admirers,
which is impressive.
The origin of the "F'ilmMe-
mortal dates back over seven years,
to March Is, 1924, when, within a
few weeks after Woodrow Wilson'S
death, one of many memorial serv-
ices in his honor was being held in
a school auditorium in one of the
cities of the film state, California.
On that evening some disconnect-
ed pictures of the President were
shown upon the screen. The pic
lures were so much more impressive
than the addresses of the speakers
that those present, who included
some of the Presidents close friends,
conceived the idea that if a Suffi-
cient number of motion pictures of
the President could be procured to
produce a chronological Screen-por-
trayal of his entire career, a life-like
memorial thereby would be pro-
duced.
This, it was considered, would be
UNNECESSARILY more effective than
ifelesS statues of bronze or stone.
GO. at once, the work of collect
- ing and compiling the scenes
of the Woodrow Wilson Film
Memorial" began. BY June of that
year, 1924, the first presentations
were given. Funds for compila-
ton of the Film Memorial" and for
its first TOO presentations, all of
which were free, were provided by
few friends and admirers of the
President. who took pains to pro-
tect the "Film- Memorial from be-
ing tied up to their names in an
advertising way, and also pre-
vented its use for political or COM
mercial gain.
During this period of its history.
the Woodrow Wilson Film Memo
rial" was shown one or more times
in many Methodist, Presbyterian,
Christian n d Congregational
churches. 1t also was exhibited in
schools, city auditoriumS and in
theaters, but without profit to any
one.
The coming presentations of the
woodrow Wilson Film Memorial
here are being given for the two
fold purpose Of enabling as many as
possible to witness the 'Film-Me-
mortal" and of raising. through
modest admittance charges, the
community quota to establish the
'Film-Memorial" here permanently,
for this and succeeding generations.
Whatever amount may be realized
in addition to this necessary sum,
and in excess of presentation ex-
penses, will be donated to charity.