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Coronet Instructional FilmsExercise and Health (1949)

How exercise will make you healthy and popular.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Coronet Instructional Films
Sponsor: N/A
Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W
Keywords: Health and hygiene; Exercise

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - March 9, 2006
Subject: Release Nervous Tension by Vigorously Msting This Film
Dorky Coronet film that tells the stories of three teenagers who joined the acrobatics club at school for various reasons. Ernie was sickly and illness-prone until his doctor ordered him to get regular exercise. This segment is highly mstable as Ernie has a stereotyped gay way about him, and he suffers from a much more serious illness that is unspecified but seems to involve strange movements under the covers of his bed when he should be sleeping. Jean is shy and awkward until she learns to play badminton and then becomes a girl jock. Hal was a bookworm who studied too much, and we all know that leads to terminal nerdiness, which he somehow avoids by learning to do complicated and bizarre tumbling routines. The exercises demonstrated are amusing as well. This is one to have fun with at your next msting party.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ****.

Reviewer: Marysz - - April 27, 2004
Subject: Exercising to Fit In
A look at Ernie, Jean and Hal, three troubled teenagers who relieve their Ânervous tension through exercise in yet another didactic Coronet film. ErnieÂs problem is that he has poor health and is always catching colds. Doing stomach crunches and something called Âtrunk stretches help put him back on track. Jean lacks self-confidence and is Âlethargic and awkward. She joins in a friendly game of tennis and becomes filled with Âpoise and confidence as well as Âsocial contact and friends. Hal is a bookwormÂÂnervous and irritable. He reads about the value of exercise in one of his books and is inspired to start an acrobatics club. The film constantly mentions the value of exercise as a way of relieving what it calls Ânervous or Âemotional tensionÂÂa euphemism for sexual feelings. The teenagers we see in the school gym stick to same-sex groups, which does give the film a slight homo-erotic cast. I was reminded of some of the scenes of HitlerÂs youth doing their hygienic routines in ReifenstahlÂs ÂTriumph of the Will. Hal, Jean and Ernie all give up some individuality when they participate in the mechanized drills in the school gym. In this film, the mindless conformity of group exercise becomes a metaphor for the equally mindless conformity of American culture in the fifties.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - May 2, 2003
Subject: Very strange.
I don't say that about all the videos here, but this one was particularily bizarre in it's claims of exercise = a better way of life. Shows 3 case examples: A sick boy who learns to exercise to get well, a shy introverted girl who joins sports to become more popular and a studious geek who joins to release nervous tension. All this is framed around the most bizarre exercise demonstration ever. Somewhat homoerotic as well.

Shotlist

Shows that exercise aids in health, co-operative activities and opportunities for recognition.
Ken Smith remarks: Ernie, Jean, and Hal are three teens who have problems: Ernie is in "a run down condition," Jean is "shy and withdrawn," and Hal is "tense and irritable." But then all three join the Acrobatics Club at school and get into shape. Now Ernie, Jean and Hal "make friends easier" and have "outlets for their emotional tensions." But they're still painfully dull.

Exercise Health Fitness Acrobatics Human body Safety Danger Lurks