Presenting the Motion Picture – Its Relations and Possibilities for Labor and Human Betterment as Suggested and Formulated in the Program of the Labor Film Service, Inc. New York, 1920.

The Labor Film Service, headquartered in New York City, was affiliated with the Socialist Party of America and approached the emerging medium of motion pictures in the interest of workers and for promoting socialism and labor unions. It’s General Secretary was Herman Ross. The LFS lasted until 1922.

Presenting the Motion Picture – Its Relations and Possibilities for Labor and Human Betterment as Suggested and Formulated in the Program of the Labor Film Service, Inc. New York, 1920.

THE MOTION PICTURE

Its Rise, Power, and Present Status

THE motion picture film today wields an influence equal to, and is in many respects, greater than any other medium for spreading and controlling information. Its rise to this dominant power has been meteoric.

Every field of human endeavor is coming to use in its program. Art. industry and education are making full application of the films to convey their particular messages. All the questions and problems of the day are finding their forums in the the motion picture. Political tendencies of varying degrees all make their different appeals through the flickering films.

From day to day, from every standpoint of life, the possibilities of the motion picture are widening its scope appears limitless.

PERVERTED AND PROSTITUTED USES

IN all this vast output of production, the intelligent and progressive mind is almost always repelled by the senseless presentation of the different aspects of present-day civilization. Invariably, deep-rooted prejudice and ingrained convention make of the motion picture an exhibition of disgusting nonsense.

Again and agate the indefensible objects and predatory purposes of capitalism are sponsored and supported by motion pictures in a shamelessly biased manner. All the economic wrongs and political tyrannies which the Laborite, Liberal, and Radical join hands in condemning and combatting find unfettered praise and a shining halo in an unending series of film productions manufactured and exploited by corporations completely controlled by capitalists who dictate and bring about these very forms of oppression.

UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPAGANDA

IN the field of journalism when capitalistic periodicals combine in an attack upon the progressive and radical elements of the country. Labor and its supporters can hit back to some degree. This medium, however, is becoming more and more restricted through the exercise of post-office authority.

But the motion picture medium which offers an unequalled method for propaganda still remains in undisputed control of the enemies of Labor. Liberalism and Radicalism. These three champions of the cause of humanity have for some unknown reason made no step thus far to utilize this tremendously effective weapon, even though the method for employing the motion picture medium is easily and quickly within the reach of Labor and its friends.

ATTITUDE OF SOVIET RUSSIA

STRANGE to comment, the importance of the motion picture him in these respects was almost instantly seen by the present government of Russia. In their campaign to win and hold the masses of Russian people to their program, they are successfully using the motion picture to the utmost.

Existing conditions in this country make a similar use of the film for purposes of propaganda imperative Newspapers and periodicals are being shut from the mails and at best they ire a slow means of conveying the truth of things because of limited circulation.

BIRTH OF THE LABOR FILM SERVICE

A GROUP of qualified people recognizing the exigencies of this situation and seeing clearly the opportunities of the film to promote the social advancement of humanity, have organized the Labor Films Service, Inc., to produce motion pictures solely for the cause of Labor and in the interests of the highest standards of Literature and Art.

In this group there are many nationally-prominent names well-known to every worker in the field of human progress. (Some of their endorsements of the Labor Film Service, Inc., will be found on the back of this folder.)

OUR PLANS

THE following tentative program of productions has been drawn up subject to expansion, according to special demands and changing conditions.

I. GOOD AND WELFARE FILMS

WE are planning to produce a series of short subjects — Industrial Films — showing the work and growth of the several unions, liberal organizations, non-partisan leagues, charitable, benevolent and all other institutions reflecting in some way the general progress of institutions and organizations who ate trying to ameliorate the condition of mankind.

These subjects will be studied and planned by an expert staff and each scenario written upon the basis of collaborative effort. This scenario with an estimate of the cost of producing the finished motion picture will be submitted to the proper organization for their decision.

If suitable financial arrangements can be made with the organization to produce the film—the latter paying the full cost of production which will be nominal—the completed film will be distributed so as to obtain a wide showing for the Good and Welfare Films in theatres, colleges, unions, churches, etc.

II. THE ANIMATED LABOR REVIEW

A REGULAR release of short subjects- newsreels composed of scenics, travelogues, pictorials, animated cartoons portraying the worker’s life in the mines, in the slums, on the farms, on the railroads, on the picket line, etc. (These films are to be released direct to the exhibitor or Labor Forum from our own offices or exchanges or sold to the news weeklies to be distributed by them.)

III. THE LECTURE LYCEUM

IT will be the aim of this Bureau to co-operate with the several Labor and Radical Forums in the country, furnish them with complete data for their lectures and secure for them the necessary films or slides to illustrate same.

IV. THE LABOR AND RECONSTRUCTION FILM SERIES

UNDER this head will come a regular release of feature-plays, interesting dramas dealing with life as it is based upon the writings of iconoclasts and aiming to stimulate interest along sociological, literary and artistic lines, thus laying the foundation for a great cultural work.

METHOD OF EXECUTION AND CONTROL

WE are organizing an executive staff consisting of trained and expert workers in all departments of motion picture planning, production and distribution. The activities of this organization will be governed by the judgment of an Advisory Council drawn from the leaders of the Labor, Liberal and Radical movements.

CAPITALIZATION

THE Labor Film Service is a corporation of New York State with an authorized capital of $50,000 to be subscribed for in shares of $10 each.

There will be no majority shareholders controlling the corporation inasmuch as an individual holdings are limited to $1,000.

The Labor Film Service has been organized primarily to serve the supreme ideal of helping human progress through the effective utilization of the motion picture. But it cannot be gainsaid that some profits will accrue, which wall take the form of regularly declared dividends or be turned over to the sinking fund, depending on the decision of the shareholders.

SUMMARY

THE Labor Film Service feels that every farsighted man and woman who has the interests of humanity at heart will want to see our plans rapidly become an actuality.

Their co-operation is invited and welcome whether it takes the form of a stock subscription or active support in promoting our moral objects.

We want to have as many people actually interested as possible in the service of Labor Films so that they may become a crusading legion in the army of Human Betterment.