PICTURE SHOWS AND CHILDREN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 301, 16 September 1919, Page 6

PICTURE SHOWS AND CHILDREN

Sir—ln Saturday's issue of your paper £ happened to read Constance Clydo's letter to you in reference to tho influence of moving pictures on children. I cannot understand why tho moving picturo is always tho "buli's-eyc" for the moral uplift sharpshooters. The pictures have proved a wonderiul medium of education, and as far us the influence of pictured on children is concerned, well, there- are bomo children who would not be influenced by anything on God's, earth, be it good or bad. The Mayor of Wangamii is correct in his remarks that tho children cheer when the villain is run to earth. This outburst of enthusiasm by the children, when the evildoer receives his deserts, clearly demonstrates tho.fact that tho child understands tho difference between doing good and doing bad, and if there should bo an evil thinker among tho audience, the consequence of doing wrong is very forcibly impressed on his mind. I am acquainted with lots of children of various ages, who regularly attend tho pictures, and better children one could never meet. The moving picture has not influenced them for bad, although they occasionally witness scenes of evildoings, vice, etc., depicted on the screen. On the other hand, I know of children who seldom visit the pictures who much prefer to read Australian bushranging stories, and 'Deadwood Dick" tales,, which are not censored by tho authorities. If the people of this, country want special pictures for children, why not have a picturo studio hero for the production of child stories, also a. children's theatre, whore parents will 1)0 satisfied that their children -will seo naught by tho "pure"? And in reference to what your correspondent describes as American rubbish, well, the best pictures we have had here have been American. If we relied on English, Australian, or Continental films, then I reckon wo would go hungry for something to see, and would have to gaze at the stars at night, or hit the pillow earl v.—l am, etc., S. H. BERNARD.