The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1909. MOVING PICTURES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2577, 11 August 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1909. MOVING PICTURES.

It is not often that we feel justified in advocating the claims of any particular form of amusement, for which public patronage is invited, but in the case of the moving picture entertainment which it is intended shall be permanently established in the town the subject warrants special consideration. In the first place we may remark on tho fact —long since obvious to theatre-goers—that there! are “Picture Shows” and “Picture Shows.” There are some in which a number of excellent subjects are represented by a series of shadowy impressions which zig-zag across a dirty piece of calico, after the manner of forked lightning across a muddy sky. These are tantalising to the nerves, harmful to the eyes, and involve a waste of time on the part of those who patronise them. Occasionally we are visited by a combination which reproduces its pictures with marvellous clearness and with little flicker. Many times we have, been promised by those imaginative gentlemen who write theatrical advertisements that there is to be “absolutely no flicker” with their pictures. These statements have never been fully substantiated. Sometimes the ideal has been closely approached but it has never been quite attained in the presence of Gisborne audiences. Unfortunately, some of the concerns which have brought the most efficient mechanical plant have displayed poor judgment in the selection of subjects. An occasional “fake” picture in which people and animals assume all sorts of absurd positions lightens up a programme otherwise inclined bo be heavy; it is impossible, too, for the N most dismal to look on dry-eyed while some of the weird and grotesque situations are presented, hut a programme in which these “fakes” predominate is certainly not elevating and is indeed apt to become monotonous. Another element that we regret to have found creeping into biograph exhibitions is the cheapest and vilest forms of melodrama. The “East Lynne” and “Face at the Window” types of amusement can work their nerve-liarrowing destiny quite sufficiently on the stage; let us hope they may never become a permanentfeature of moving picture 'shows. In this connection we should hope that the entertainment whffih is to he provided by Mr. Henry Hayward will aim not merely at amusing, but also at educating the \people of Gisborne. We know that the pictures will be good.' reputation of Mr Hayward as - a purveyor of entertainment and of Pathe Freres, the great French firm which has specialised in such a remarkable manner in, this newest of modern industries, is sufficient to ensure that the pictorial representations placed on the screen will be'as perfect as modern skill can make them. Where we should hope for special consideration is in the choice of the subjects depicted. It is frequently overlooked, yet it is nevertheless tlie case, that moving picture entertainments have an exceptional potentiality for educating tlie community. The manners and customs of foreign people can be depicted On a screen and tlie audience will receive a more accurate and lasting impression than would be gained by perusal of an ordinary sized hook. Just now*, when the question of naval supremacy is in the air and is coupled with the idea of imperial unity, it is of immense importance that in a few months time that superb naval spectacle wdiich has just been witnessed by the delegates to the Imperial Press Conference will he presented in all parts, of the Empire. Moving pictures, like airships, are still in process of development, but already they are capable of accomplishing a real service to humanity in bringing to those who are unable to travel a striking representation of the big world that exists outside their. own little cosmos. We should like to see an afternoon devoted Once a v'eek to the particular interests of children and, a specially suit-

able programme from an educational point of view having been arranged, an effort should be made to secure the presence of most of the pupils in the local schools. The moving picture operator has no restriction of language or obstacle of any other kind in the search for his subject; lie has the wide globe for his prospecting, and it is therefore possible to reproduce the happenings of any one lpcality before an audience situated 20,000 miles distant. With such possibilities even the poorest can be brought ipto touch with the customs and habits of people as well as with the scenery of the far corners of the earth. It is this fact —the possibilivr of clearing away misunderstanding by educating thousands of different communities in the main essentials of their diverse existences —which, to our mind, gives the fullest justification for the support of the moving picture entertainment.