British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Sex Education Films 1947-1957

Synopsis
A compilation of four sex education films made between 1947 and 1957.
Language
English
Country
United States
Year of release
2002
Year of production
1947-1957
Availability
Out of distribution
Notes
This DVD was updated in Dec 2005 to include three additional films and is available under the title CLASSIC SEX EDUCATION FILMS
Subjects
Media studies; Sociology
Keywords
archive films; sex education

Distribution Formats

Type
Audio
Format
DVD
Price
$9.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
70 minutes
Year
2002

Type
DVD
Price
$9.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
70 minutes
Year
2002

Type
VHS
Format
NTSC
Price
$9.99 (inclusive)
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
70 minutes
Year
2002

Sections

Title
As boys grow
Synopsis
Made in 1957, the film preaches its message through the person of a Track & Field coach who determines it’s time to explain to the team all about the birds & the bees once one of his students asks why fellow teammates are so physically mature while he at the same age isn’t. Coach chooses to wait until after practice to have an informal chat about the subject with the boys. What he tells them amounts to a landmark in the history of American sex education, providing as it does frank details about sex and associated matters that only a liberal section of the country like the San Francisco Bay area would have dared at that time. Discussed are the various types and speeds of male development, nocturnal emissions, masturbation (declared to be "something normal"), and even more importantly, the fact, frankly stated, that sex is a pleasurable activity.
Duration
16 mins

Title
Molly grows up
Synopsis
Made in 1953, the film shows Molly starting to act a little strangely in the eyes of family and friends. Then she has her first period - "the curse", as she calls it. But Mom’s there to help explain everything to her; indeed, in those days, it was generally thought best that Mom was the best one to do such things. Even still, the importance of having the school nurse explain the details of such matters is recognized as she is seen to instruct Molly and the rest of her female classmates on such issues as the menstrual cycle, tampons & feminine napkins, and activity do’s and don’ts (regular dancing okay, square dancing not okay). Intended to deal more with the physical ramifications of puberty rather than the psycho-sexual.
Duration
14 mins

Title
Physical aspects of puberty
Synopsis
Made in 195, the film depicts Johnny and Janey during "the in-between period of adolescence". Using animated diagrams, the development of the primary (reproductive) and secondary (body hair and physical development) sex characteristics in males and females is analyzed. Focusing more closely on providing a detailed nuts & bolts explanation of the physiological aspects of puberty than the preceding two films, changes in appetite, brain cells, uneven primary & secondary development, blemishes & the endocrine system are carefully explained.
Duration
18 mins

Title
Human reproduction
Synopsis
Made in 1947, this is the first major American sex education film. It begins with the news that the feminine half of some friends of the family are having a baby. This leads junior to ask some rather interesting questions. Dad tries his best to answer his son’s inquisitions while this film provides the inner monologue he needs to answer them correctly. Concentrating on presenting the most detailed (and most disturbing) illustrations of all the preceding films, its release launched a major controversy throughout America over the legitimacy of sex education in the nation’s schools.
Duration
21 mins

Distributor

Name

MediaOutlet.com

Email
service@prosperohouse.com
Web
http://www.mediaoutlet.com/ External site opens in new window
Address
PO Box 1432
Bayonne
NJ 07002
USA
Notes
Specialises in US archival moving image and sound material, particularly vintage radio and public service films and broadcasts that have been digitally restored. Formerly known as Earthstation.com. Sale on multi-region DVD or CD.

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