Scenario Department of the Division of Films

This department began operations on June 1, 1918. Its undertakings were based on a theory until then untried. The departments at Washington had been in the habit of contracting for the production of films on propaganda subjects and then making additional contracts to secure a more or less limited circulation of the pictures when produced. The general attitude of motion-picture exhibitors was that propaganda pictures were uninteresting to audiences and could have no regular place in their theaters. The theory of the Division of Films was that the fault lay in the fact that propaganda pictures had never been properly made, and that if skill and care were employed in the preparation of the scenarios the resultant pictures could secure place in regular motion-picture programs. Producers were at first skeptical, but in the end they agreed to undertake the production of one-reel pictures for which the Division was to supply the scenario, the list of locations and permits for filming the same, and to give every possible cooperation, all, without charge. The finished picture became the sole property of the producer, who obligated himself merely to give it the widest possible circulation after it had been approved by the Division of Films. Mr. Rufus Steele was given charge of the new venture, and while many difficulties had to be overcome, the theory proved sound.

The following one-reel pictures were produced:

By the Paramount-Bray Pictograph:

Says Uncle Sam : Keep 'Em Singing and Nothing Can Lick 'Em — the purpose and method of the vocal training of the Army and the Navy.

Says Uncle Sam : I Run the Biggest Life Insurance Company on Earth — the story of the War Risk Insurance Bureau.

Says Uncle Sam : A Girl's a Man for A' That — the story of women in war work.

Says Uncle Sam : I'll Help Every Willing Worker Find a Job — the story of the United States Employment Service. By the Pathe Co. :

Solving the Farm Problem of the Nation — the story of the United States Boys' Working Reserve.

Feeding the Fighter — the story of how the Army was supplied with food. By the Universal Co. :

Reclaiming the Soldiers' Duds — the story of the salvage work of the War Department.

The American Indian Gets into the War Game — how the Indian took his place, both in the military forces and in food production. By C. L. Chester:

Schooling Our Fighting Mechanics — the work of the Committee on Education and Special Training of the War Department.

There Shall Be No Cripples — the rehabilitation work of the Surgeon General's Office.

Colored Americans — the activities of the negroes, both in the military forces and in war activities at home.

It's an Engineer's War — the work of the Engineers' training camps of the War Department.

Finding and Fixing the Enemy — certain work of the Engineer Corps of the War Department.

Waging War in Washington — the method of Government operation.

All the Comforts of Home — the methods of War Department in providing necessities and conveniences for the soldiers.

Masters for the Merchant Marine — the development of both officers and men for the new merchant navy.

The College for Camp Cooks — the thorough training given men who were to prepare the food for the soldiers.

Railless Railroads— the work of the Highway Transport Committee.

The following pictures, of more than one reel in length, were made by private producers from our scenarios and under our supervision:

By. C. L. Chester:

The Miracle of the Ships, a six-reel picture covering in detail the construction of the carrier ships at Hog Island and other yards, and showing every detail of construction, following the iron from the mine to the steel mills, following the wood from the forests to the shipyard, and the concrete through its several stages to the molds.

By The W. W. Hodkinson Corporation:

Made in America, an eight-reel picture telling the full story of the Liberty Army. It follows the soldier through every stage of the draft and through every step of his military, physical, and social development and into the actual combat overseas. This picture may be regarded as a particularly interesting achievement of the Division of Films. Such a picture was greatly desired by Gen. Munson, head of the Morale Branch of the War Department, for circulation in the Army and among the people of the United States, as well as abroad. As this picture was to show the relation of the home life to the soldier, professional actors and actresses and much studio work would be required. The Morale Branch had no funds to pay for such a picture, and the Division of Films was able to work out a scenario of such promise that the Hodkinson Corporation agreed to produce the picture at their own expense, which they did at a cost exceeding $40,000. This picture was only half completed when the armistice was signed, but because an effort was being made to make it something of a classic that would record for all time how the great army was raised and developed, the producers felt that the interest in it would continue as strong as before. In February, 1919, it was shown in Washington to the War College, then to Secretary Baker and the staff:, and also in a large theater which was crowded with Government officials. The production won the highest praise from the Secretary and officers. Upon learning of the picture. Gen. Pershing immediately cabled a request for it and copies went forward for his use.

Numerous other pictures had been arranged for and would no doubt have been made by various producers had not the armistice brought these undertakings to a termination.

Late in the summer of 1918, our system of production through outside concerns having worked out satisfactorily, it was decided to undertake production on our own account. Accordingly, scenarios were written and the following six two-reel pictures were produced by the division:

If Your Soldier's Hit, showing the operation of the regimental detachment and field hospital unit in getting wounded men off the front line, giving them first aid and conveying them safely to recuperation bases. This picture was made in conjunction with the Surgeon General's Office at the training camp at Fort Riley, Kans., and the scenes were supplemented by scenes from overseas.

Our Wings of Victory, showing the complete processes of the manufacture and operation of airplanes for war purposes. The construetion scenes were taken in the chief plane factories and were supplemented by extraordinary scenes of flying.

Our Horses ©f War, showing how the remount depots of the Army obtain and train tlie horses and mules for Cavalry and Artillery purposes, and the feats performed by the animals so trained under the manipulation of the soldiers.

Making the Nation Fit, showing how new recruits for the great Army and the great Navy were developed to a stage of physical fitness.

The Storm of Steel, showing how twelve billions of the Liberty loan money was being expended in the construction of guns and munitions. These scenes were taken in half a dozen of the chief gun plants of the country and on the proving grounds and are the most complete record in the Government's possession of this undertaking.

The Bath of Bullets, showing the development and use of machine guns in this war.

Beginning on December 23, 1918, the first four of these two-reel pictures were released at intervals of two weeks through the division's own exchanges. The last two mentioned pictures were not sent out, because they were purely " war pictures " and also because there was no way in the few weeks remaining of the division's existence to handle properly their national circulation.

A second series of six two-reel pictures had been laid out and the filming was about to proceed when the armistice caused the division to suspend all new undertakings.