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Handy (Jam) OrganizationShe Caught on Quick (Singer Screen Ad) (1940)

How to redecorate a worn-out-looking home with homesewn upholstery.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Sponsor: Singer Company
Audio/Visual: Sd, C
Keywords: Advertising: Screen ads; Sewing; Gender roles

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: doowopbob - - April 20, 2009
Subject: U Kidding....?
Save The Furniture....Save Money....Hang The Pussy....

Reviewer: Karma Hawk - - April 2, 2005
Subject: um ok...
This is a screen ad for "Singer Sewing Centers" it's pretty fast pace, but the most noticable thing about this is at the begining the narrator for some reason says "Now I'm going to turn the microphone over to the cat" then thiers it shows a cat lying down on an arm of an easy chair before the protagonist picks him up.

Reviewer: Karma Hawk - - April 2, 2005
Subject: um ok...
This is a screen ad for "Singer Sewing Centers" it's pretty fast pace, but the most noticable thing about this is at the begining the narrator for some reason says "Now I'm going to turn the microphone over to the cat" then thiers it shows a cat lying down on an arm of an easy chair before the protagonist picks him up.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - September 19, 2004
Subject: Honey, where'd the bed sheets go?
Very short and quizzical spot spotlighting Singer's ability to turn your furniture into... well, gaudy ugly things with what looks like bed sheets sown on to it.
The Mr and Mrs are quite unhappy because all their furnite is falling apart (having the cat claw at the furniture sure doesnt help). But then, by some magical coincidence the Singer Man comes to the door! (Oh brother). Wife then goes to he nearest Singer store where she learns to sew sew sew! Pretty soon all her friends are just marvelling at the 'grand color scheme' for which she chirps it only costs 17 dollars and 31 cents! Only in the fourties they say..
Reccomended as it doesn't go on for TOO long..

Reviewer: Marysz - - February 8, 2004
Subject: Depression Era Home Decor
This action-packed little film, which is aimed directly at women, opens with a cat clawing at an old armchair occupied by a sullen, pipe-smoking husband. His wife whines, How can I ask anybody to this house the way the furniture looks? Her husband snarls back, Well, it is pretty awful, but I dont suppose we could buy much with our money! Obviously this couple hasnt seen Make a Date with Your Family another film in this archive that demonstrates polite behavior. At this point, the Miracle Man, from Singer sewing machines appears at the door. Is he her knight in shining armor? Unfortunately no, hes only there to escort her as far as the nearest Singer store for sewing lessons. We fast forward to the future. The wife has a few of the girls over, the house is redecorated and the husband and cat are nowhere to be found. The wife stands over the now empty and re-upholstered armchair and boasts that she did the whole job for $18.31. This 1940 ad, which has a depression-era feel to it, pragmatically assumes that women have to fend for themselves. The title, She Caught On Quick says it all.

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