Cinema: Fine Arts EM1-EM2

In 125 academic centres scattered throughout the U. S. students of the arts last week were gathering for a pleasant series of conferences on the cinema. In these courses no examinations were to be given, and no marks: all the “students” had to do was sit and look. Material for the course was the rich store of reprinted films (dating from 1895) gathered for the film library of Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art by Cinemarchivists John E. Abbott and Iris Barry (his wife). For rental of their films, the museum charged $125 for 5 series of programs, $40 for a single program. Two of the four series available: A Short Survey of the Film in America, 1895-1932; The Film in Germany and the Film in France.

But in Manhattan, serious cinema students could find more nourishing fodder in: 1) the extracurricular Film & Sprocket Society at the College of the City of New York; 2) the pioneer film appreciation course at New York University, now in its first year; 3) Columbia’s new studies in “History, Aesthetic and Technique of the Motion Pictures.” Most searching of these was Columbia’s, listed in the University catalog as “Fine Arts em1-em2,” conducted by Film Librarians Abbott & Barry with Paul Rotha, British documentarian, and invited technicians. Also most compact, it started off last week with 38 selected students.

Aim of the course, says Professor Abbott, is to provide students with “irreducible minimums” of information upon every phase of picture making and its history, thenceforth to direct individual study along lines of special interest.

The 38 students were handpicked by Professor Abbott, include: two film critics; an illuminator of manuscripts: three C. C. N. Y. undergraduates; Dr. Hermogenes Garavito, up from Colombia to get tips on the foundation of a film industry by his government; a rich girl, and (Most Attentive Student) the Rev. John J. McClafferty, executive secretary of the National Legion of Decency. AP .