Film Screenings
[click image for video]
More Dates for Kay
For Kay Stratten there is but a singular mission in the 10 minute mental hygiene film More Dates for Kay: getting dates with boys. Released in 1952, this film depicts Kay attempting to converse and receive dates from boys, while trying to follow social gender boundaries to remain a respectable teenager. Needless to say, Kay must take progressively more intricate actions to satisfy this requirement for female popularity. The female audience of teenagers for this film are led to believe that popularity and dates are more important than studying or career preparation, perpetuating the gender inequality of the era.
[click image for video]
Johnny Learns his Manners
The 1946 version of Johnny Learns his Manners places the animated Johnny into the dilemma of choosing between good (good hygiene and manners) and evil (laziness and cheating). The well-worn motif of good and evil, presented by Hugh Harman Productions, is complete with imaginary Bad Self and Good Self influencing his behaviors. Each bad decision has the consequence of turning a part of Johnny into a pig. A large portion of this 19-minute film is dedicated to direct military propaganda thanks to the insertion of actual footage of US servicemen. Interestingly, later versions of this film seem to replace military training exercise footage with shots of astronauts in space suits.3
[click image for video]
What to do on a Date
This 1951 film made by Coronet Instructional Films to address proper dating activities to teenagers over 11 minutes. The lead, Nick Baxter, worries where to take Kay, a neighbor girl, on a date after his initial plan of a movie does not pan out. Several safe, clearly adult-approved date ideas are mentioned by Nick and Kay over Cokes and sandwiches, to which the audience is supposed to take note. Researcher turned social guidance film critic Ken Smith notes that, “The Kay in this film is not the same Kay who later starred in More Dates for Kay, for which Nick should be thankful”.3
[click image for video]
Gossip
Characters Jean Gage and Jack Monroe lead the 1953 black-and-white film Gossip. Sid Davis Productions warns teenagers of the rapid and devastating consequences of gossip, but also warns of how even rumored romantic actions can destroy a girl’s popularity. A hidden takeaway for girls watching this film is the placing of full responsibility of sexual restraint and romantic regulation on females. All of this is portrayed by Jean and Jack, who go on a date. After the controversial end to the date, gossip spreads rampantly through the school and threatens Jean Gage’s all-important popularity.