Etiquette, Manners, and Social Guidance Vintage Films
2 DVD Set
An original production published by
The Classic Archives! |
In the 1950s, films and
TV were the chief instructors for our behavioral norms. We
were taught how to date, how to kiss, how to conduct
ourselves in social dilemmas, and mostly, they defined our
social expectations. Today, television especially, continues
this 'good' work as we are given templates for behavior
towards our spouse, our parents, our peers, and our
children.
This 2 DVD collection contains 25 of
those classic films. Learn how they used to teach the
nation's youth how to play nice, to share with one another,
to honor thy parents, and to keep your elbows off the table.
Some films may be humorous by today's standards, but their
overal cultural significance should not be undervalued.
These 2 DVD's have a combined run time
of over 4 and a half hours. Each DVD contains a fully
interactive menu. The list of films included is: |
Disk 1 |
As Others See Us (1953)
Etiquette for teenagers as
demonstrated by well-dressed youth of Webster Groves
(Missouri) High School.
Sound, Color, 4:16, partial
footage
 |
Beginning to Date (1953)
An insecure young teen boy who
has just reached dating age learns how to plan and enjoy a
date (with a girl at least one foot taller than him). With
Studs Terkel (Swimming Coach). Producer: Milan Herzog.
A vintage 1953 guidance film on dating made for Junior High
students. So naive and calm when compared to the present.
Sound, B&W, 11:20
 |
Cindy Goes to a Party
(1955) Cindy, a tomboy
unsure of her social status, dreams of a party where her
fairy godmother gives her etiquette lessons, and wakes up to
receive her very own invitation. Filmed in Lawrence, Kansas.
Sound, B&W, 9:21
 |
Control Your Emotions (1950)
Well-balanced emotions help to
create a well-rounded personality, especially in teenagers.
Control Your Emotions doubles as a lesson in behaviorist
psychology and an admonition to postwar American children.
Sound, B&W, 13:17
 |
A Date With Your Family (1950)
Advises children to do whatever
is necessary -- even lie -- to achieve harmonious family
relations. This portrait of manners among the affluent
places a premium on pleasant, unemotional behavior, and
contains some interesting do's and don'ts sequences. Key
line: "These boys treat their dad as though they were
genuinely glad to see him, as though they really missed
him..."
Sound, B&W, 10:00
 |
Dining Together (ca. 1951)
Thanksgiving dining etiquette
for young children. This was a cute nostalgic moment,
if a little corny. Interesting that the narrator was quick
to mention that the Pilgrims ate with "friendly" Indians.
Sound, B&W, 10:29
 |
Dinner Party (1945)
Dramatized presentation of
proper table etiquette for teenagers, heavy on criticism and
guilt. Very humorous by today's standards.
Sound, B&W, 16:05
 |
Everyday Courtesy (1948)
Courtesy in connection with
invitations, telephone conversations, introductions and
entertaining guests. A charming little film about
manners. Well acted and presented. Perhaps now a little too
formal for today's times.
Sound, B&W, 8:55
 |
The Fun of Being Thoughtful (1950)
Social guidance film for
teenagers encouraging insight into the motives, tastes and
desires of others. Through a cute family sitcom, this
1950 film showed how being thoughtful and cooperative in a
family could be beneficial. Well acted and directed.
Sound, B&W, 10:08
 |
Good Table Manners (1951)
A bad-mannered 14-year-old meets
himself as a young man of 21, and learns the fundamentals of
good table manners.
Sound, B&W, 10:19
 |
How Do You Do(1946)
Trains teenagers to act
according to the rules of proper social etiquette. Promotes
proper behavior as a means of gaining social poise and
self-assurance. This film seems clearly to be a document
from the postwar "behavior offensive," aimed at retraining
adolescents to learn to be kids once again after
experiencing premature adulthood during World War II.
Sound, B&W, 13:34
 |
How to Say No- Moral Maturity (1951)
How to say no to unwanted
smoking, drinking and petting, and still keep your friends.
For 1951, this was an excellent film that still holds up
today. Good clear advice. Excellent script, acting, and
directing.
Sound, B&W, 10:30
 |
Johnny Learns His Manners (1946)
An ill-mannered, selfish and
untidy little boy is turned into a pig until his "good self"
conquers his "bad self."
Sound, B&W, 18:07
 |
Disk 2 |
Law and Social Controls (1949)
Uses the story of teens trying
to extend the hours of their "Teen Canteen" as a vehicle for
explaining customs, moral codes, and laws.
Sound, B&W, 9:39
 |
Let's Be Good Citizens at School (1953)
Shows the importance of being
neat and careful and of helping in such ways as picking up
another's coat and making a new child feel he belongs to the
group.
Sound, B&W, 8:48
 |
Let's Play Fair (1949)
Sharing, taking turns and
obeying rules are the basic elements of fair play.
Sound, B&W, 8:42
 |
Let's Share With Others (1950)
A kid-centered pitch for fair
play and thoughtfulness. Well presented little film
about sharing that was made for the 1950's youth.
Sound, B&W, 10:26
 |
Mind Your Manners (1953)
How teenagers can cultivate good
manners by manifesting a real desire to get along with
others.
Sound, B&W, 10:41
 |
Obligations (1950)
Members of two families
illustrate correct and incorrect manner of taking care of
their obligations to one another.
Sound, B&W, 17:06
 |
Office Courtesy-Meeting the Public (1952)
Assisted by an instructive
dream, a secretary learns how to be more personable and thus
render her job more enjoyable.
Sound, Color, 11:27
 |
Office Etiquette (1950)
Do's and don'ts film portraying
ways in which office etiquette contributes to success in
office relationships. Follows a young woman who is seeking
her first secretarial job and shows examples of good (and
hilariously bad) on-the-job behavior.
Sound, B&W, 13:15
 |
Playing Together (ca. 1950)
Good behavior during a child's
leisure time. Shows how kids should should play
together on the playground.
Sound, B&W, 9:59
 |
Social Courtesy (1951)
Dramatic film offering
instruction in basic social graces. Social Courtesy is
a cute little film made in 1951 for younsters showing how
courtesy can make a person more popular and happier. A
little dated now, but well made for its time. Good script,
acting & direction.
Sound, B&W, 10:16
 |
Table Manners (1947)
Emily Post narrates this
traditionally minded film. Emily Post is an icon - and
Table Manners best reflects her influence on American
culture during those susceptible years prior to the noisy
Sixties.
Sound, B&W, 10:07
 |
Writing Better Social Letters (1950)
While a teenage brother and
sister write a thank-you note to their grandmother after
visiting her on vacation, we learn the five parts of a
friendly letter and more about why and how to write one.
Sound, B&W, 10:30
 |
DVD Menu Sampler:
 |