VOLUME 2

HOW TO BE A WOMAN
Instructions for Proper Female Behavior from Classroom Films of the 1940s - '80s.

From the A/V Geeks Film Library

As the daughters of the baby boom reached adolescence, the American school system struggled to educate them on matters of sexual and social development‹lessons that were not always being taught at home. To the teacher uncomfortable with such topics, classroom films were a godsend. They depicted the reproductive system in anatomical detail (Growing Girls) or through puzzling symbolism (The Wonders of Reproduction, produced by the Moody Institute of Science). Beyond sex education, classroom films addressed a wide array of social issues, from the importance of cooking skills (You're the Judge, starring a young Bonnie Franklin), to self-defense (Attack) and how to appear more pleasing to others (Improve Your Personality). Often corny, sometimes frightening, these cinematic life lessons - curated and introduced by Skip Elsheimer, founder of the A/V Geeks educational film archive - provide a fascinating window to the hopes and fears of parents and educators in mid-century America.

• You're Growing Up
  Bailey Films 1955 Color 10 Min.
• The Wonders of Reproduction
  Moody Institute 1958 Color 11 Min.
• Let's Make a Sandwich
  American Gas Assoc. 1950 Color 4 Min.
• Why Study Home Economics?
  Centron 1955 B&W 10 Min.
• As Others See Us
  Social Science Films 1953 Color 10 Min.
• Growing Girls
  Film Producers Guild 1949 B&W 12 Min.
• Improve Your Personality
  Coronet 1951 B&W 10 Min.
• Pattern for Smartness
  Hartley Productions 1948 Color 18 Min.
• Girls Are Better Than Ever
  Douglas Film Ind. 1967 Color 13 Min.
• You're the Judge
  Crisco Circa 1960s Color 18 Min.
• Worth Waiting For
  Brigham Young University
  1962 Color 27 Min.
• Saying No: A Few Words to Young Women About Sex
  Crommie & Crommie 1982 Color 16 Min.
• Attack
  Taft Broadcasting 1966 B&W 14 Min.

This collection was mastered from vintage 16mm prints circulated among schools and rescued, decades later, by collectors. The image and sound quality of these orphan films do not conform to Kino's usual standard.