How to Say No: Moral Maturity
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- Publication date
- 1951
- Usage
- Public Domain
Shotlist
This film deals with such teen-age behavior problems as smoking, drinking, and love-making and discusses the ways of saying "no" in such situations and still maintaining status and keeping friends.
The film opens in front of a curtain on a stage. A spotlight shines on Bill, who serves as discussion leader and introduces the subject of how to say "no" and still keep your friends. Addressing the audience, Bill raises the curtain and reveals the members of the discussion panel -- Marty, Lucy, Nora, and Howie. They are seated informally around the stage, which is arranged and set as a living room. Their discussion constitutes the principal part of the film.
Marty begins the discussion by relating his experiences with the fellows after a game or practice. Usually they stop at a snack bar but occasionally one of the fellows suggests that they stop at a tavern. Marty, who doesn't want to drink -- nor does he want to be a "drip," explains how difficult it is for him to say "no" and make it stick and yet belong to the group. Members of the panel offer such suggestions as reminding the group he is in training and doesn't drink or simply ordering something else. Marty thinks the latter plan is a good idea; the film shows him having a sandwich and French fries and still being accepted by the group.
Nora introduces her problem: She doesn't want to smoke and yet her friends insist that she break down and smoke at their pajama parties. Several suggestions are made to her; she thinks the one of bringing up the newest gossip is a good one. She is shown effectively turning down the invitation to have a cigarette by following her "no" with an enthusiastic recital of the newest gossip.
Lucy doesn't think distractions would work when a boy insists on petting. The group discusses this problem and seems to agree that each situation is different and that each requires a lot of ingenuity. They agree that the first job is to know yourself and your own standards.
The conclusion summarizes with flashbacks illustrating such principles as these: try to avoid difficult situations, distract attention by changing the subject, know when and why you are going to say "no" and be firm, and say "no" but be friendly, not preachy.
(Educational Screen, Feb. 1952)
BEGINS W/ SITUATIONS IN WHICH SAYING "NO" IS RELATIVELY EASY, DISCUSSION MOVES ON TO QUESTION OF HOW TO SAY "NO" WITH GOOD TASTE WHEN ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN UNDESIRABLE ACTIVITIES.
Ken Smith sez: "How can you say no and still keep your friends?" A discussion group of earnest, clean-cut teens talk directly to the camera as they (and we) flash back to situations where they had to say no: Drinking beer after football practice, smoking cigarettes at a pajama party, and the ever-popular "petting." Above average.
STUDENTS FRIENDS TEENAGERS DRINKING BOYS SMOKING GIRLS NECKING MAKING OUT HEAVY PETTING DATING
Danger Lurks Safety
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- Addeddate
- 2002-07-16 00:00:00
- Ccnum
- asr
- Closed captioning
- no
- Collectionid
- 19111
- Color
- B&W
- Country
- United States
- Identifier
- HowtoSay1951
- Numeric_id
- 556
- Proddate
- 1951
- Run time
- 10:30
- Sound
- Sd
- Type
- MovingImage
- Whisper_asr_module_version
- 20230805.01
comment
Reviews
Subject: Boys! Their Hands!
Also appearing are "dame" shy John, who played Ed or Eddie in several Coronets; afraid-to-drink Marty, who was afraid to appear on stage in "The Self-Conscious Guy"; and Howie, with little to do in this one, who may be actor John Galvarro.
Topics include smoking at pyjama parties, and boys who want to do more than hold hands with girls (being the 1950s, what this is, is left to the imagination). The solution is don't deal with things head-on, use distraction (accusing someone of giving you lung cancer or using a can of mace is never mentioned). At least they're not suggesting you make a list, like in many Coronet films. And the short is devoid of mentions of weenie roasts.
How helpful this film was to teens at the time is anyone's guess, but I suspect these are issues high schoolers dealt with back then.
Subject: What Do I Think?
My advice (having seen this film) is always carry Hostess Cupcakes in your pocket or purse and when you need to say "No" just pull it out and say "Man I'm hungry!... want one?"
Frankly, unless they start dating guys that have done 10 years of hard time, those frowsy girls needn't worry.
Subject: To Thine Own Self Be True
I'd have tried petting that girl too!
Subject: Good advice- then and now
Subject: Just Say NO!
Subject: Behind the curtain..
Subject: Date Insurance
Some pretty blunt, I imagine, talk for the time about Petting, and when it is and isn't appropriate to be intimate with someone. Know Yourself. Good advice.
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