THE CINEMATOGRAPH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 180, 17 December 1912, Page 4

THE CINEMATOGRAPH.

lii the arena of entertainmi it a.nd amusement the moving picture show is undeniably the greatest innovation of modern times (writes the Dungdin Star). It has almost throttled the variety show paralysed the music hall, and severely crippled the ordinary drama. Although it cannot be said that the loftier walks ot the stage have been seriously affected as yet, the pictures are so rapidly winning their way in general estimation, that the opera and even the Shakespearean drama are menaced. The author of the penny dreadful is putrivalled by the facility with which the thvillin* horrors of stupendous crimes and wholesale massacres can he presented as if performed in actual life. Even the charms ot novel reading are swept aside by the emotional scenes reflected on the wonderworking- screen. One great merit of the cinematograph, thoroughly recognised by the celebrated inventor, is that it can be used effectively for educational purposes. It may be employed- successfully to train the heart as well as the head; the emotional as well as the intellectual faculties. Through the medium of picturea of actual occurrences young people may be schooled against evils and vices that are latent, and only need the opportunity to germinate into H e and activity may be permanently 8 <i r, P art Jrom the instruction imparted by the ordinary teacher, in connection with which the pictures should be of great assistance, the moulding on coriect lines of the child's disposition and emotional nature is of infinite importance. The impetus to deeds of kindness, a regard for the sufferings of our poor relations—the lower animals—lessons on social affinity and moral purity are capable of being indelibly stamped on the young and impressible by this tnumph of modern' silence. The nleasure added to human life by the livin* picture show is undoubtedly immense" but the value of this form of entertainment is only in course of being develop- +« exhibitions, the Star ventures snchTq « PUShed int ° (lark P laces > such as they have not yet entered. Why should they not play an important part m eformative work? they, not be employed for inspiring a terror of cruel tv a 10 7 i° f PCaCe; a hatred of ciueitj; a wholesome detestation of fislil/o a T n r C i a,Ul °PP res sion; a natural dislike of dishonesty and vice? Properly and judiciously used, what pitfalls t icy can disclose; what lessons thev t can impart! The pictures with tIS slums th • Wll have to el,ter the S™s ' and the me,ltal hosfpptinir I \l ai '° Ca l ,ab 'e Of eftli!> in? +- 10S ° PIaCCS may be left to SISTi- That they wm haVG a sink ngly purifying influence if properly diiected is no mere probability, but an absolute certainty.