Classic instructional film for teen daters, presented here in the rare (but incomplete) Kodachrome version.
Shows the progress of the date, from choosing the right girl and asking her through the last "good night."
Ken Smith remarks: This social guidance "how-to" film has received more camp accolades than any other, and deserves it. Alan Woodruff ("Woody") receives a ticket to admit one couple to the upcoming Hi-Teen Carnival. "One couple," Woody reflects. "That means a date! Not like just going around with the crowd!" Woody decides to ask Ann Davis, who, the narrator points out, "knows how to have a good time." With her perpetual squint and chipmunk cheeks, Ann (pronounced "Ay-yun" by the actors in this film) is the perfect companion for super-nerd Woody. At crucial moments in the date, the narrator stops the action and presents Woody with several possible options for his actions. Happily, Woody makes all the correct decisions and ends up walking home from Ann's doorstep whistling with satisfaction at a job well done. "Thanks so much," says Ann with a toothy grin. "I had LOADS of fun."
DATING DATES GIRLS BOYS TEENAGERS TELEPHONES TELEPHONE CALLS HOT DOG EATING CARNIVAL PARTY KISSING MOMS DADS PARENTS OLDER BROTHERS LITTLE SISTERS
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Reviewer:
Alonso Robles
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February 19, 2020
Subject:
Conversacion
Conversacion entre los dos chavos
Reviewer:
dahszil
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July 25, 2018
Subject:
This changed my whole life !
Gee , i thought this would be a real swell instructional film . After I watched it and tried to put the do's and dont's into practice I never got another date . It's ok now . i got a keen job so i just pay for se... i mean dates .
Reviewer:
JoeCorrao
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January 18, 2016
Subject:
Go with Anne
she looked like a keeper.
Reviewer:
uh60timan
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August 25, 2015
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Hooked on phonics
Apparently the standards for reading competency were a lot lower in 1949. This kid is destined for great things such as taking someone's eye out with a dart. Note the direction the thing goes during the scene with the snobby girl. Clearly Ann is the right choice with her chipmunk smile and frighteningly exuberant attack on the inedible cotton candy. She goes at it like a wolf on a three legged lamb. RRRRRRR, get some Ann!
Reviewer:
superdudemiles
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December 30, 2011
Subject:
Nice film
Woody's Brother is too cool...
Reviewer:
pkkms
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December 21, 2011
Subject:
Now
Now is sexting via cell phone do's and dont's
Reviewer:
JustDoshia
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May 31, 2010
Subject:
Nostalgic
This is great! I love these old educational films. To all that didn't like it, I'll say this. When we walked into class and saw the projector we all rejoiced!! We knew we'd get to spend the class watching a film rather than listening to the teacher. Love it :) Thanks for your upload! For it's genre it's a great little snippet of American History! :)
Reviewer:
dogwaffle
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May 16, 2010
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creepy
Why are they eating fiberglass insulation on a stick? Aliens! Holy Crap!
Reviewer:
doowopbob
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favorite -
May 9, 2010
Subject:
....Are You Kiddin'..
At The Drive-In We Were Un-Hooking That Bra As Soon As The Sun Went Down...And Then....
Reviewer:
internezzo
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November 28, 2009
Subject:
Woody limiting himself
If I were Woody I'd be asking Eddie out instead of those insipid slags. Eddie's hawt!
Reviewer:
bestpbx
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June 17, 2009
Subject:
Jack Webb?????? No!!!!!!
I swear, the guy who is running the Balloon/Dart Booth looks like Jack Webb in disguise!
I cannot believe this sily little film caused all the controversy in the reviews below. It is a fluffy little bit of nothing.
I can tell you right now... films like this did NOTHING to make anyone feel better about their fears of looking stupid in social situations. You still felt like you were the only one in the world who just did not fit in... but, the truthful thing is, 99% of people all felt this way.
Reviewer:
kingwaylon
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March 10, 2009
Subject:
Re A Sweet Nightmare
Please remove from this page,thank you
Reviewer:
Smackdaddy9
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January 23, 2009
Subject:
Ann is the one.
Did you see how she went after that cotton candy?
That's the girl I want!
Reviewer:
captainkibble
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January 20, 2009
Subject:
Re A Sweet Nightmare
I think kingwaylon and Robin_1990 owe SaintCahier an apology. There is not a single spelling mistake in SaintCahier's post. Perhaps you think SaintCahier spelt 'educated' incorrectly as 'edulcorated'. I suggest you look up the word if you do. SaintCahier was clearly educated in the 70/80s and is therefore not a product of the 'modern educational system'. Something kingwaylon realised and decided that is when education started to go down hill. But then he cannot correctly type don't and can't so shouldn't commenting on the quality of other peoples education.
Reviewer:
Robin_1990
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March 31, 2008
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Re: A Sweet Nightmare
Before you mock the 50's, Please learn how to spell. Is today's education system really that bad?
Reviewer:
Zen Wizard
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April 9, 2007
Subject:
My Review--A classic!
Right up there with, "A Date With Your Parents"!
Reviewer:
SaintCahier -
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March 31, 2006
Subject:
A Sweet Nightmare
The film is a fantastic document of the morals of the post-war society.
I am just glad that I was born in the late 70's, and didn't have to live through the sweet nightmare of the 50's. It is amazing how the moral code determined that everything should be standardized, shallow and edulcorated.
Reviewer:
ERD
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January 7, 2006
Subject:
Cute little instruction film for its time
A nice little 1949 film showing teens of that era how to begin dating. Well acted, written, and directed.
Reviewer:
marzneedzwomen
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July 28, 2005
Subject:
Has anyone mentioned this before on this site
I've seen "Dating Do's and Don'ts numerous times (but never in beautiful kodachrome!)and its even been ridiculed on Mystery Science Theatre3000 or whatever th' he-'double hockey sticks' its called. Here's the amazing thing...(in case you might not know) it was reportedly written by cult icon Edward D. Wood Jr. I was unaware of this until several years after seeing. Hmm...makes me like the film even more! see Rudolp Grey's excellent book "Nightmare of Ecstasy', I believe he has it in Ed's filmography.
Reviewer:
Gman
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July 12, 2005
Subject:
Sweet and innocent.
Y'know? It was kind of sweet.
Maybe life was never really that innocent but it's not an outlandish ideal.
Reviewer:
Dave Zwerdling
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July 12, 2005
Subject:
Select a Date to Load
Don't forget to save your dating experience before making important, game-effecting decisions such as making rude invitations to date or coming onto your date while walking her up to her door!
The second 'goodbye' ending was the best.
Reviewer:
coryanderson89(aim)
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July 11, 2005
Subject:
Wow
Haha, this movie was so funny. It's the cheeseiest film I've ever seen, that's why it's so funny.
Reviewer:
surlychick
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August 13, 2003
Subject:
The other girls
So the first possible date was a snob (boo! hiss! according to other movies of the same era) but what exactly was wrong with the second girl? Just because she likes to sit quietly and talk doesn't mean she's "no fun to be with" and not good enough for Woody. Actually, I guess she should count her blessings in not being stuck with that dork...
And I LOVED the second possible ending where Woody hightails it out of there, leaving Ayyyun to wonder what the hell happened! Here's a question: why is she eating cotton candy with such gusto but is so dainty with the hot dog?
Note: phallic symbols abound in this film.
Reviewer:
Spuzz
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April 14, 2003
Subject:
One of the greats!
This film, which I've seen DOZENS of times (literally..) is SO great. I find so many new things every time I watch it. Example.. ever notice how the Coronet 'house' is the same for all the films? When Woody takes Ayyy-unn to the fair, when Woody is chewing away on his hot dogs, yet Ayyyyy-unn takes just a gingerly nibble? And what DOES Woody say to his mom to see if dinner is ready yet? All of these insubtleties!
Reviewer:
Christine Hennig
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October 18, 2002
Subject:
Dating Do's and Don't's
A classic of film ephemera, not least for its title. Woody (stop that sniggering!) has the hots for Ann, so they go on a nice wholesome date to the Hi-Teen Carnival and have a swell time. They also show us what not to do on a date. Lots of mileage has been gotten from clips from this film. A less well-known section I think is worth mentioning is the part where Woody decides who he is going to ask on his date. He considers two other girls before AnnÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂone is rejected for being too snobbish, while the other is considered to be "not much fun". But you can't help but get the feeling that they are actually being rated according to social standingÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂthe first being too high on the social ladder for an average guy like Woody, and the second being too geeky for Woody to be seen with. Loads of fun.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: *****. Weirdness: ***. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: *****. Also available on Exploitation Mini-Classics, Vol. 1 and Mental Hygiene.