CULTURAL FILMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 137, 11 June 1932, Page 9

CULTURAL FILMS.

EMPIRE SCHEME.

Cinema a Stimulant to Child

Education.

REPORT OF COMMISSION.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 10. The Commission on Educational and Cultural Films advises the establishment o£ a National Film _ Institute, which would create an advisory committee, including representatives of learned societies and educational associations in the Dominions and India, with the object oi! influencing public opinion in appreciation of good films. • Referring to the effect on child education, the "report expresses the opinion that iilms are a stimulant and not a sedative. There is much muddled thinking over the effect of the films of to-day on children who are equally entitled to their crooks as the children of yesterday were entitled to their bandits. The slapstick comedy, miscalled vulgar, is healthy and delights children. The report urges the establishment of films in schools and also special programmes for children with an interchange of films between Britain and the Dominions to aid mutual understanding of the Empire, and to teach, the system of trade publicity.

An Auckland educationist said this afternoon that from time to time certain films were approved by notice in the "Education Gazette" as being suitable for school children, and in such cases parties were arranged to go to the picture theatre, at a special concession rate granted by the management of the theatre, and under the care of teachers. Teacners who had studied the matter closely found that there was a distinct tendency to adopt American slang, but that bad effect was being counteracted by the increasing number of British films, or films in which English was spoken. Films could be made most beneficial to the education, of the child, for by that means he saw and became acquainted with eo many things, and his general knowledge was greatly widened. In some respects the l-esults were not always beneficial, but the educational value of the film was undoubted. With a proper eelection o£ films the education of children could be greatly facilitated.