Educational screen & audio-visual guide (c1956-1971])

mpSi/aluatm of new films by L. C. LARSON Director, Audio-Visual Center Indiana University CAROLYN GUSS Assistant Professor, School of Education Indiana University and JOHN FRITZ Instructor, School of Education Indiana University Film reviews and evaluations on these pages are based upon discussions by a preview committee composed of Indiana University faculty members, public school teachers, students of audio-visual education, and staff members of the Audio -Visual center of Indiana University. Preview prints should be sent directly to the Audio-Visual Center, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. mmmm to date (Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, 1150 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette, 111.) 12 minutes, 16mm, sound, black and white, 1953. $50. Film Guide available. DESCRIPTION As a group of boys and girls of junior high school age embark on their first date, the film portrays the marked hesitancy and feelings of apprehension so characteristic of students on this occasion, and discusses a number of rules and suggestions designed to help the inexperienced in meeting the challenge of this new situation. A poster announcing a new kind of party — a party with dates — causes a flurry of excitement among a passing group of girls. While some of them seem intrigued by the prospect of attending with a date, Mildred insists that she would be "scared to death" if a boy "asked" her. As a group of boys react in varying ways to the announcement, the school coach happens upon the scene and points out the similarity between the first date and first dive. He suggests further that beginning to date is easier at high school where one is among friends who are likewise entering this new experience. The next sequence of scenes illustrates the narrator's contention that a successful first plunge into the social swim requires the observation of a few simple rules of etiquette along with some individual courage. In a chance encounter with Mildred the following day, George invites her to the party in a rather awkward but courageous manner and succeeds in getting a date. Bill's efforts to invite Helen to the party by telephone illustrate the use of three important rules in dating procedure. His arrival at Helen's home on the evening of the party is repeated by the film to show how he handles the situation when a parent responds to his knock, and when Helen meets him at the door. The difficulty of initiating a conversation with the girl companion or her parents is avoided by George who is shown thinking of a number of topics beforehand and later choosing one that interests Mildred. A series of scenes at the party then illustrate the narrator's suggestion that as a general rule each person should see that others are enjoying themselves. When two boys cross over the dance floor to invite girls to dance, he comments that here likewise practice leads to success. In the closing sequences of the film, Mildred and George arrange to leave the party at a specified hour and part in front of Mildred's home after exchanging appropriate remarks of appreciation and thanks. The film then reviews the general rules and suggestions for dating and stresses in particular the need for a careful regard for the feelings of others. APPRAISAL The members of the committee agreed that this film provides a good presentation of the problem of dating and demonstrates the use of helpful rules and suggestions for improving social skills. It can be used to impress upon the individual that his difficulties in beginning to date are not unique and that, by and large, his classmates are similarly afliected by this new experience. Perhaps more important, the film provides a message of encouragement: the individual can cultivate the necessary skills, as with any personal competency, through practice. The committee felt that the film could best be used with higher intermediate and junior high school classes and with teen-age groups in the community. Good technical quality of sound and photography assists the film in presenting a concise and clearly organized Some ore intrigued, some ore "scared to death." April, 1954 151