The problem of training the ignorant Soviet worker in the technique of specialized industrial production is portrayed at the Fine Arts Theater this week in "Men and Jobs," the latest release of the Amkino Corporation from U.S.S.R. studios. The film is a rather drawn-out disconnected affair which develops the following thesis: eager but uncomprehending peasant workers cannot equal the productive efficiency of America because they do not understand the intricate new machinery with which they work. If they can be educated to use the machinery properly, however their added enthusiasm will eventually make the Soviet output even greater than that of America. This doctrine is developed chiefly by means of an elaborate running graph towards the close of the picture which has all the possibilities of an exciting horse race. Ultimately the white line wins and the Soviets reward the victorious brigade. You see, comrade, all this is in extenuation of the failure of the Russian five-year plan.

The play possesses many of the merits which it extolls; it is simple, homely, realistic. It is a worker's drama laid in a background of steel struts, huge cranes, belching steam-engines, stinking box-cars, wood, sand, and concrete. Rough, eager workers with rugged, seamed faces, and stick-like limbs garbed in coarse cloth toil, sweat, wonder, learn, and finally succeed. The most industrious brigade is awarded a banner, the laurel wreath of the worker's state. There is no pomp or glitter, little enough of comfort, many primitive growls and grunts, but no oratory: the whole tone is rough, sodden, gray, inarticulate. The plot is of little or no moment--nay almost non-existent. The picture is too disjointed, too inchoate to be a work of art. No exceptional photographic ability is shown. The actors have little individuality. But the picture is essentially warm, mellow, and human. And it has a certain amount of homely simple humor. It ends characteristically when one of the workers, trying to emulate the example of American engineers, succeeds in spitting on his own shoe!