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Centron CorporationSpeech: Platform Posture and Appearance (1949)

Audiences are impressed by what they see as well as what they hear.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Centron Corporation
Sponsor: N/A
Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W
Keywords: Communication: Speech

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Mr. - - June 30, 2007
Subject: Speech: Platform Posture and Appearance
An adequate Centron short that was lampooned well on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - June 15, 2005
Subject: I'm thinking tall!
Fairly bland film in the interesting 'Speech' series that Centron put out. This one covers posture and appearance. Stand Tall! Don't Think Small! They give several bad examples of how not to speak, all of which I'm sure I've broken before. I liked the hands folded like a rapper pose lol. Anyways, if you're looking to stand correctly, grab your knees and swing around! Unfortunately, it doesnt say if you're supposed to do it on or off stage, leading me to believe some speech audiences in the 50's to comment among themselves, "Why is he doing a knee shuffle for?"

Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - December 17, 2002
Subject: Speech: Platform Posture and Appearance
Even adults were not exempt from watching hygiene films in the 50's. This public speaker's training film is all about how you will be judged on your appearance. Examples of people with dorky posture and appearance are held up for thinly-veiled ridicule. What's amazing is that the guy advocating "lip and tongue action" in Speech: Using Your Voice is twice used as a bad example! Don't forget the "knee test"!
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ***. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ***. Also available on Mystery Science Theater 3000, Episode #619: Red Zone Cuba.

Shotlist

Deals with the importance of proper posture and good appearance for the public speaker. Each element is treated from the viewpoint of the inexperienced speaker. Points out that an audience is impressed by what it sees as well as what it hears.
Ken Smith sez: "'Why did my speech fail?' Mister, you don't look good, that's why!" The narrator of this film reassures us that "appearance is something you can control" and encourages us to "think tall, talk tall, stand tall, walk tall." Speakers who don't fit this mold are shown, with accompanying derogatory labels such as "the tired farm horse type" and "the telephone pole type." The high point of the film, however, is a cameo appearance by Professor Buehler, demonstrating his unique "knee test" for proper posture.
Why is appearance so important for a speaker? Because, the narrator blandly admits, "Your appearance may help convince your audience that you know what you're talking about."

The usual stylish Centron montages; starkly lit, surreal.

PHYSICAL APEARANCE GROOMING CLOTHING POSTURE SPEECH PUBLIC SPEAKING AUDIENCES ORATORY TALKING KNEES DANCING WEIRDNESS SURREALISM