THE FILM AND EDUCATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18822, 12 July 1923, Page 4

THE FILM AND EDUCATION

Leaders of thought and the principals of the most prominent scholastic institutions throughout the world arc most emphatic in their statements that the cinema presents, or, rather, opens up, a new line of action relative to the imparting of instruction to the scholars of all stages in our schools. Great prominence has been given this new idea in other parts of the world. To-day, in England, on the Continent, and in the American and Canadian Universities, the motion picture forms a most important part of the method of instruction adopted. Special subjects are pictured and shown to the scholars, each screening being preceded and followed by a lecturette and discussion on the subject under review. Of such great national importance has the screen became, that many of the large producing organisations are debating the question cf the advisability of opening special departments in order to cater for the educational bodies exclusively. A communication which we received by yesterday’s mail informs us that Mr William Fox, president of the Fox Film Corporation, has got beyond the debating stage, and has proved himself a pioneer in this direction. He has already established an important unit of his organisation known as “The Educational Division.” Associated with Mr Fox in this project are a number of brilliant literary men, who will prepare the scenarios for the Educational Division in conjunction with the school and University representatives. At the present time a number of short featurettes have been completed, included amongst them being such subjects, as “Bits of Europe,” a short resume of the principal historic portions of the great Continent; “The Story of Ice,” “Camphor,” etc. Mr A. M. Miller, of Sydney, has been appointed manager of the Educational Division for Australia and New Zealand, and he writes us that it will be the aim of his department not only to import suitable films, but also to produce locally special pictures covering a multitude of appropriate subjects, including travel, science, literature, and, of course, history and geography. Already in Australia the scheme has received Ministerial approval, many of the newspapers are taking the subject up in no uncertain manner, and programmes consisting of a number of educational Aims have been made up for screening at special school matinees. New Zealand cannot afford to lag behind in its support of such a commendable enterprise.