Shy Guy (1947) Part 1 of 2

Phil (played by Dick York) is the son of an apparently single father who seems recently to have undergone corporate relocation, and things are very different for Phil. He has a problem "fitting in." Everything from the nature of the kids in the new town ("different") to what they wear ("not jackets like me, but a regular sweater") sets Phil apart. Armed only with confusing advice from his father, Phil has to reorganize his behavior and make a new home for himself.

Shy Guy marks a kind of turning point in postwar history. When Mr. Norton advises Phil to "look around him" and see what the other kids are wearing and how they behave, he's conceding parental authority to the "gang" and, ultimately, helping to legitimize the formation of a distinct youth culture that rests on group identity and validation rather than the authority of elders. Such a youth culture probably has its roots in the wartime autonomy that teens experienced, but here the adults are okaying it. This change, of course, is one of the key social currents in postwar America.

This is Dick York at his dorkiest. Dick's father is especially strange in this classic. Shy Guy is the film that established Coronet as THE social guidance filmmaker. Required viewing.

Producer: Coronet Instructional Films

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• social
• guidance
• self
• consciousness
• shyness
• 1950s
• radios
• workshops
• dick
• york
• hobbies
• trays
• of
• coke

[mediamadman747]

3:39

Nothing like wearing your mom's sweater when trying to fit in.

Although, in some circles, I guess THAT works.

(%^~

[cuteycindyhoney]

OMG! Endora turned Darrin into a teenager!

[jlomax]

Yeah son...go out and stalk the most popular kids in school!!!

[nathanwallacei3]

Wilbur from mister ED!!

[photophobius]

I agree with this movie. "The last days of monarchism', by Henry Darrell, should be recommended by shy guys in order to get friends.

[seani0]

CREEEEEPEEEERRRR

[kdreamland]

Keep pressing 3. Sweaters sure......

[Fearnight]

Future engineer

[TranscenDaMental]

That's Marty McFly's Dad!

[kablamo9999]

In this Borg cube we wear sweaters

[EmpathosProductions]

@talkindurinthemovie Unfortunately that is how the world seems to work. You can mimic the majority and have an easier life. Or you can be an outcast and have a hard time doing anything from making friends to getting and keeping a job. Sad but true.

So actually...in most cases...the world prefers a follower who isn't going to upset the proverbial apple cart.