Dreams dont make much sense do they? The Sleep and Insomnia films collection is a rare glimpse into the past when sleeping disorders were becoming acknowledged as a widespread problem. Research and science have explained lots about sleeping and dreaming since the 50s, but these fascinating film attempted to explain how to get good sleep, what dreams are, and how to cure insomnia, with the limited research that was available at the time. Temperature of the room and sheets, relaxation, softness of mattresses, and lighting are all focus points to good sleep.
Included Films:
Rest and Health
Rest and Health
Produced: 1949
Length: 10 Minutes
Hollywood star Dick York is a high school track athlete who finds lately that he just doesnt have enough time to study, run track, and get enough sleep at night. His running times start worsening and Dick feels like hes listless and tired all the time. He even falls asleep at a party, making his sweetheart angry. His family doctor diagnoses the problem as lack of sleep and advises Dick to make time for rest. The film goes on to recommend limiting study time, taking a warm bath before bed, and sleeping in a cool, well-ventilated bedroom. With this advice, Dick is soon running at the top of his game again.
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Sleep For Health
Sleep For Health
Produced: 1950
Length: 11 Minutes
Do you know the proper way to go to bed? Do you know what will happen if you do not? Shot in the middle of the post war conformist era take a look at the proper ways to conduct yourself before bed. Giving little tips like washing your face and hanging up your clothes to air out, we not only get a glimpse into sleep but the ideals that dominated the era. Contrasting two boys, one with excellent sleep habits, the other with rather poor ones, we see how the well rested boy is popular and fun to be around, while the boy with poor sleeping habits is hated and an outcast amongst his peers. Who knew that good sleeping habits could be that important?
Combat Fatigue: Insomnia
Combat Fatigue: Insomnia
Produced: 1945
Length: 19 Minutes
Insomnia is no laughing matter. We are introduced to the subject by a cartoon of Donald Duck at war with the night and his malicious alarm clock. From there we are transported into the world of a sailor watching the flick, who does not find insomnia the least bit funny. Fighting on a nightly basis he chides his friend for laughing. His friend searches for the reasons behind his sleeplessness as the sailor becomes increasingly despondent and irritable. Bizarre ideas of what causes insomnia lead into even more strange ideas of what will cure it. Combat Fatigue: Insomnia, takes a rather outdated ideal of what insomnia is, blaming it on PTSD, and carries it far, no doubt with the help of the estimable Dick York playing the concerned friend.
