These films are for anyone who loves to laugh at the past. Fascinating US government sponsored classic films collection targeted at young persons all about SEX. These films are hilarious. This is a rare look into the past when the post-WWII campaign for strengthening family, marriage, and the community was full stride.
Included Films:
Boys Beware
Boys Beware
Produced: 1961
Length: 10 Minutes
This classic film by Sid Davis has anti-homosexual overtones, but overtly is just a film to warn young boys about strangers who might want to molest them. Made in association with the Inglewood Police Department, a police officer explains how to avoid falling victim to a pedophile. It goes into detail about the many different techniques sexual predators use to get close to children, including offering money or presents, ingratiating themselves with praise or companionship, and becoming overly-personal. Gay men are presented as having sick, twisted minds, and possibly a physical disease or tendency to violence.
Molly Grows Up
Molly Grows Up
Produced: 1953
Length: 14 Minutes
Personal Products Corporation sponsored this educational film about menstruation for young girls. As Molly talks animatedly about a wedding she went to recently, two elderly neighbors comment to each other that, Molly is really growing up. Later, in a scene with her older sister, Molly watches as Sis takes out a Modess pad from a drawer. She asks her sister why she hasnt started her period yet. Her sister says, So what? Some start earlier, some later. Were all different. From the way youve been acting lately, shouldnt be long now. In another scene, Molly informs her mother that she has the curse. Her mother is happy and asks her how she feels. When Dad finds out he is surprised but proud. At school, the nurse talks to a group of girls and Molly about the female reproductive system, dealing with menstruation, and correct behavior. One of the most bizarre advice she receives is that dancing is ok, as long as its not square dancing.
To the People of the United States
To the People of the United States
Produced: 1944
Length: 21 Minutes
This is a fascinating film about syphilis made in the thick of World War II. Its unusual in its level handedness: the film is full of reasonable discussion and openness. This era in American history was infamous for its sweeping under the rug of any unpleasantness in society. Uncharacteristically, the leading man who contracts syphilis is an honorable fighter pilot and is urged to not be ashamed of having acquired a dangerous disease that needs to be treated, not ignored. To the People of the United States is commendable for its strong attempt to inform the young men, especially servicemen, about the facts, dangers, and treatments of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
As Boys Grow
As Boys Grow
Produced: 1957
Length: 17 Minutes
As Boys Grow, a vintage sex education film, is different from most films of its kind in the conservative 1950s in that it dealt openly and honestly with the facts of sexual development in adolescent boys. After one of his young runners asks him why some of his teammates are more physically developed than he is, a track and field coach gives his team an impromptu lesson in male sexuality to answer his puberty questions. After the simple answers to questions about sex, they discuss the bodys development, nocturnal emissions (wet dreams), and even masturbation, which is pronounced normal. Intercourse itself is discussed honestly, and the fact that it is a pleasurable activity is not denied or glossed over, but frankly stated. This is a remarkable film about sex education in schools that could stand today as Male Puberty 101. There exist a slew of sex ed videos, but As Boys Grow is a rare gem.
Human Reproduction
Human Reproduction
Produced: 1947
Length: 21 Minutes
Human Reproduction seeks to answer that eternal question from a youngster: where do babies come from? As the film demonstrates, this was possibly more difficult to answer during the rigid social structure of the 1940s. When a father tells his son that babies come By the Grace of heaven, his son is not satisfied. At this point, the narrator launches into a description of the entire reproductive process, in stark medical detail, complete with pictures of sperm, eggs, and drawings of babies in various stages of development in the womb. Ahead of its time in 1947, this film contains accurate information, clearly stated. An enriching snapshot of the notions of sexual education in the 40s, Human Reproduction is a valuable piece of vintage video.
Social Sex Attitudes in Adolescence
Social Sex Attitudes in Adolescence
Produced: 1953
Length: 22 Minutes
Social Sex Attitudes in Adolescence follows Mary and Bob from infancy all the way to their courtship and marriage in order to demonstrate the importance of family life. A prototypical 1950s social guidance film, the focus is on convention (Bob is a football player) and proper conduct at every point. From their perfect families, Mary and Bob are sure to come together – so long as Mary can avoid the parked car groping from men of lesser character! The perfect film to learn about the way sex and culture were perceived in 1950s America, Social Sex Attitudes in Adolescence is a classic vintage movie.
Physical Aspects Of Puberty
Physical Aspects Of Puberty
Produced: 1953
Length: 17 Minutes
Physical Aspects of Puberty, a sex-education film, details the different developing sex characteristics and emotional upheavals of the in-between period of adolescence. Using animated diagrams as well as live action, the film shows Johnny and Janey as they suffer through body hair growth, uneven physical development, changes in appetite and brain cells, blemishes, and a fluctuating endocrine system. It even discusses the emotional effects of adolescence, including mood swings, and a tendency to be overly emotional.
In The Beginning
In The Beginning
Produced: 1935
Length: 15 Minutes
In the Beginning contains splendid imagery, including animation and early photomicrography, of all parts of the mammalian reproductive process. At first, the film documents scenes of animal life, including human children, then the film moves into more biologically detailed scenes that include photos and animation of ovulation, fertilization, and cell division. There are several views of biologists dissecting rabbits in order to show the reproductive system, the young in-utero, the placenta, and the umbilical cord. All the while, narration provides clear explanation of the imagery.
Your Body During Adolescence
Your Body During Adolescence
Produced: 1955
Length: 11 Minutes
Your Body During Adolescence is a straightforward video explaining the changes adolescents will go through during a process called puberty. Through descriptive animation and helpful narration, all the specificities of the male and female anatomy are shown and clarified. The process of maturity and growth is truly extraordinary, and this video can help every teen understand the interesting and sometimes perplexing alterations their bodies are going through.
Girls Beware
Girls Beware
Produced: 1961
Length: 10 Minutes
Girls Beware is ostensibly about girls protecting themselves from untrustworthy men, but its underlying message is that girls are fragile victims who have to guard their honor or pay the penalties (i.e. incarceration by the Juvenile Authority). There is a certain validity to the idea that girls are vulnerable, and this film has some common sense tips for girls who are babysitting, dating, and in other situations. The last part of the film concentrates on the dangers of girls dating older boys. It implies that girls who do this can expect to find themselves in trouble with nowhere to turn. Interesting for its examination of antiquated gender roles and social stigmas, Girls Beware is a top notch vintage movie experience.
Sex Madness
Sex Madness
Produced: 1938
Length: 52 Minutes
Sex Madness, filmed by exploitation director Dwain Esper, is similar to other films of this genre such as Reefer Madness. It avoids the stringent decency rules of the Hays Code by purporting to have an educational purpose, in this case, warning of the dangers of sexual inhibition. A nice small town girl, Millie, leaves her fiancé behind to find fame and fortune in New York City. She tries in vain to launch a career on Broadway, even visiting the casting couch in her attempts to break into show business. All she gets for her efforts are a job as a chorus girl and a case of syphilis. She seeks treatment from a kind doctor before she goes home, but the film leaves it uncertain as to whether or not she will continue the treatments when she goes back home to her fiancé. Scenes include wild parties, orgies, and other sex-inducing situations. The film insinuates that these kinds of sex madnesses can lead to lesbianism and of course, pre-marital sex.
