Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] SATURDAY, 21st JULY, 1934. THE FILM AS EDUCATOR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 21 July 1934, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] SATURDAY, 21st JULY, 1934. THE FILM AS EDUCATOR.

An appeal is being launched to Shakespeare societies, universities and other educational institu-

tions throughout the Empire anci the United States of America to provide a fund for the filming of Shakespearean plays and great episodes in British and world history. It is hoped to raise £IOO,000 for the purpose. Eminent actors, such as Sir Frank Benson, Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, and Sir Philip Ben Greet, are supporting the project; and so are the trustees of the National Memorial Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon, the Royal Empire Society, the Overseas League, the EnglishSpeaking Union, and the National Federation of Music Clubs of America. It was from the American Federation of Music Clubs, the branches of which number no fewer than five thousand, and are devoted not only to the study of music, but to the fine arts generally, that the proposal first came. “Art, not profits,’ 5 is the keynote. Whilst it is intended that the matter shall be placed on a commercial basis, all the net profits are to be re-invested for the production of new films or for similar objects. The whole object of the Shakespeare Film Society, which has recently been formed, is to combine instruction with entertainment. History furnishes no parallel with the film as a means of approach to the peoples of the world. It speaks all languages. Its*appeal is universal. There is not a country in the who! e of the civilised world into which it has, not penetrated; and indeed in many parts of the world which we regard as uncivilised, the picture theatre is to be found, a source of astonishment and entertainment to the natives. Primarily, of course, we go to the theatre to be entertained. But there are many forms of entertainment. To very many patrons of the picture theatre nothing is more interesting than the c 1 gazettes” and travelogues,” which keep us informed of what is taking place in other parts of the world, whether in cities that throb and hum with life and activity, or in the remote and unfamiliar places of the earth, such as the Arctic or Antarctic reoions, and the jungle where the wild beasts lurk. It has been said that travel is the greatest educator of all. It is not within the means of us all to travel, widely, but for a couple of shillings we can travel in Filmland all over the wide globe. Here, then, we have an educational agency of the first importance, and its possibilities are enormous. If it has widened our geographical knowledge, making unfamiliar lands and peoples as familiar to us almost as our own, in like manner it may widen oui’ knowledge of history. There are many events in British and world history which are admirably suited to picture representation —events as thrilling and romantic as any of the ordinary screen productions and the announcement that some of the leading film companies will assist in the productions is a matter for general satisfaction.