THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1912. THE CINEMATOGRAPH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 19 December 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1912. THE CINEMATOGRAPH.

In the arena of entertainment and amusement the moving picture show is undeniably the greatest innovation of modern times (writes the Dunedin 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 of the stage have been seriously affected as yet, the pictures are so rapidly winning their way in general estimation that the opera and even Shakespearean drama are menaced. The author of the penny dreadful is outrivailed by the facility with which the thrilling horrors of stupendous crimes and wholesale massacres can be presented a» if performed in actual life. Even the charms of novel reading are «wept aside by the emotional scenes <c«fleeted on the wonder-working screen. One great merit of cinematography, thoroughly recognised by the celebrated inventorfi is that it can be iised 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 pictures of actual occurrences young people may be schooled against evils and vices that are latent, and only need the opportunity to genninafce into life, and activity may be permanently stifled. Apart from the instruction imparted by the ordinary teacher, in connection with which the pictures should be of assistance, the moulding on correct lines of the cldldV disposition, and emotional nab- , ure I sof Infinite importance. The impetus to deeds of IcindneTßS, a regard for the sufferings of oar ©oor i relations*-the lower animals—lessons #» social .affinity ant] *nora,l pur- j it.y nrfc capable of feeing wdoliW.r

stamped on the young and impressible by this triumph of modern silence. The pleasure added to human life by the living picture show is undoubtedly immense, but the value of this form of entertainment is only in i course of being developed. The exI hibitions, the Star ventures to say, will be pushed into dark places, such as they have not yet entered . Why should' they not play an important part in reformative- work? May they not be employed for inspiring a terror of w?.r and a lovo of peace; a hatred of cruelty; a wholesome detestatio of greed, avarice and oppression; a natural dislike of dishonesty and vice? Pronerly and judiciously used, what pitfalls thev can disclose; what lessons they can impart! The pictures with their home truth? will have to enter the slums, the orisons, and the mental hospitals. What they, arc capable of affecting in places may be left to the imagination. That thev will have a strikingly purifying influence if nroperlv directed is no mere probability, but an absolute certaintv.