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- Written by Randal C. Hill Randal C. Hill
Following World War II, the U.S. government donated thousands of sound 16 mm movie projectors to our schools. Several smalltime filmmakers took advantage of this and rushed to quickly and cheaply produce around 3,000 “social guidance” classroom movies.
These now-forgotten pearls of wisdom offered impressionable kids noteworthy life lessons in a mere 10-20 minutes each.
Topics ranged from substance abuse to table manners, from highway safety to correct posture. Adolescents subjected to these snippets of flickering fodder quickly learned that unhappiness — or possibly death — could await those who made bad decisions.
“Social guidance” to the rescue, though, and not a moment too soon! These little morality playlets encouraged teens to keep to the straight and narrow, and the ones who best obeyed society’s dictates always ended up the happiest.
As society progressed, these preachy melodramas went the way of the rotary telephone; most of these reel-to-reel anecdotes were discarded once video came in — and students became more sophisticated.
Looking back, the most laughable long-forgotten items may be the dating-etiquette films of the early-to-mid-1950s. The following four randomly selected synopses demonstrate the cornball innocence of that time period. Enjoy.
“What to Do on a Date” (1951), 10 minutes
Inexperienced Nick wants to take Kay on a date, but he’s convinced she’ll say no. He finally asks her to a movie but, alas, Kay has already seen the Western that he mentions.
Nick’s second choice for a get-together is a nice, safe group activity — helping to set up a scavenger sale at the community center. Kay accepts enthusiastically.
Narrator: “A group. Doing things together. Pretty good idea for a first date!”
Following a busy afternoon, the two find themselves enjoying Cokes and sandwiches. Nick shares that he likes bicycle trips. Kay agrees, adding that playing miniature golf also ranks high on her Fun List. Now they’re on a roll.
Nick: “Yeah, and weenie roasts and square dances!”
Kay excitedly adds baseball games and taffy pulls, exclaiming, “I think they’re swell!”
A now-relaxed and confident Nick wraps up the conversation with, “Say, you like to do lots of things, don’t you!”
“Date Etiquette” (1952), 10 minutes
Danny and Alice go out on a first date. Danny meets Alice’s parents, and Alice is wearing a new dress.
Narrator: “A fellow wants a girl to look nice when he takes her out.”
A coming-home time is agreed upon, and off they go. That evening, though, they run out of things to discuss. Not to worry, though, as Danny is tossed a lifeline:
Narrator: “Asking a girl to talk about herself is a pretty sure way to keep a conversation going.”
The moonlit evening ends on Alice’s front porch as the pair romantically shake hands and depart.
“Beginning to Date” (1953), 12 minutes
The Teen Club’s Winter Frolic looms large at the Community House.
George, who has never been on a date, wants to ask Mildred to go with him. George’s swimming coach offers sage advice by comparing leaps off a diving board to “making the plunge” into dating.
When George tries a dive but ends up doing a bellyflop, his always-patient coach implores, “Try it again.”
Narrator: “Dating skill, like diving skill, is gained by just one thing — by practice and more practice.”
Mildred agrees to go with George to the Frolic, but now George is at a loss about making conversation. Magically, wise words of guidance appear above his head: comic books and Mildred’s new dog.
And, with all the help he’s received, George’s kiss-less first date goes off … well, swimmingly.
“Toward Emotional Maturity” (1954), 10 minutes
With first dates out of the way, dating teens can now grapple with sexual interest and desires.
Sally is riding in Hank’s convertible when he suggests they “go up to Mountain Park and enjoy the moonlight.”
Mature Sally well knows what’s on Hank’s evil little mind and says, “Let’s just go on home.”
Of course, Mature Hank, not the least bit frustrated, merrily agrees and responds with, “You’re the boss!”
Narrator: “No matter how deep the emotion is, you don’t have to let it take you over.”
The two teens end their date with a warm goodnight hug, and chastity is preserved. At least for one more night.
Although Randal C. Hill’s heart lives in the past, the rest of him resides in Bandon, Ore. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.