Etiquette, Table Manners, Emily Post Social Guidance Films

Etiquette, Manners, and Social Guidance Vintage Films 2 DVD Set

An original production published by The Classic Archives!

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:

Etiquette for teenagers as demonstrated by well-dressed youth of Webster Groves (Missouri) High School.

Sound, Color, 4:16, partial footage

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, 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

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

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

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

Dramatized presentation of proper table etiquette for teenagers, heavy on criticism and guilt.  Very humorous by today's standards.

Sound, B&W, 16:05

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

Sharing, taking turns and obeying rules are the basic elements of fair play.

Sound, B&W, 8:42

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

How teenagers can cultivate good manners by manifesting a real desire to get along with others.

Sound, B&W, 10:41

Members of two families illustrate correct and incorrect manner of taking care of their obligations to one another.

Sound, B&W, 17:06

Assisted by an instructive dream, a secretary learns how to be more personable and thus render her job more enjoyable.
 

Sound, Color, 11:27

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

Good behavior during a child's leisure time.  Shows how kids should should play together on the playground.

Sound, B&W, 9:59

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

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: