HISTORY IN FILMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 9 (Supplement)

HISTORY IN FILMS.

'PRAISE FOR AUTHENTIC SETTINGS. Motion pictures, ■within > a few years, Jwill be used almost entirely in studying history ia American Schools and colleges, according to Mr. Charles R. Allen, educational consultant of the Federal Board of Vocational Education. Ideas, as preteented on the screen, are clearer and snore easily remembered than those presented in a text, book, he believes. Mr. Allen w,;.s impressed ;',by the tremendous facilities of-the studios to aid jn carrying on this kind of work, during, his visit to Universal City while attending the American Vocational Contention, held in Los Angeles recently. J" Studios are filled with technical experts," said Mr. Allen, " who are specialists in their particular field. They cratch closely over the making of a picture to see that there are no errors in the snatter of period, design of setting, or style of dress. "'-These men could easily turn.-'their talent to the making of historical pictures with the assistance, of course, of rneiji who are qualified to teach history. Studio settings used in- ■ many pictures, such as, the 18th. century production, P The Man "Who Laughs,' could be used Jover again or slightly'changed for an educational film with small; expense." Over 400 people"* attending the conMention r>aid a to Universal. Many of tfiim* followed Mr. Allen in complimenting the staff On the historical accuracy with which the old Betting for "The Man Who Laughs" tad been constructed. . Paul Leni, tha famed German director, is directing this production adapted from the Victor flu go novel of the same name. Miss Marv Philbin and Conrad Veidt head an all-star cast.