Social Courtesy (1951)

Sour-puss "Bill" is invited to a "hard times" party with his girlfriend Carol, but he believes that social courtesy is "old fashioned." Whoa, just a minute there, says the feisty interactive narrator, who soon sets Bill on a proper course. Bill takes the narrator in stride, as he does being teleported through space and backward in time (repeatedly) in this very bizarre Coronet production.
"Let's take a picture of this situation," the narrator says as a strobe flashes from behind the camera and the scene we just saw is transformed into a photo on a wall in the next scene. "You'd better back up and start all over again. Maybe you'd better try to be more FRIENDLY this time." Bill beckons the invisible narrator closer so that he can discuss things in private, and the camera obligingly dollies in while the other teens at the party remain utterly oblivious. "You discourage others when they want to be friendly," the narrator scolds. "You're supposed to rise when an adult speaks to you; everybody knows that." "Come on, Bill. Sit up! That's a chair, not a bed." You have to wonder why Bill, who is so rude to his friends, puts up with this invisible nagging narrator (you also have to wonder why he has any friends, period).
Even the party is surreal. Signs such as "hobo jungle" and "bum's rest" (over the couch) hang on the wall, which is spotted with weird, unexplained stains. One of the girls, suddenly aware that Bill is having a solo conversation, asks "Are you talking to yourself?" which, in the early fifties, was much worse than talking to an invisible narrator.
"Learn from watching others," the narrator concludes. "You can even get a book on courtesy from the library. Be friendly. Thoughtful. YOU'LL get along!" It works; the mom chaperon exclaims "Isn't that the boy who used to be so rude?" and Bill is accorded the ultimate symbol of fifties' conformist success; he's invited to another party. "Those changes made a big difference, didn't they!" he exclaims in wonder. "Social courtesy DOES pay! Thanks!!!"
Certainly one of the most inventive Coronet films ever made. Good camera work by Bruce Colling.

Producer: Coronet Instructional Films

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• social
• guidance
• etiquette
• graces
• manners
• 1950s
• homeless
• hobo
• parties
• teenagers
• dates

[bmuz]

When Bill's date asked if he was talking to himself he should have said, "no, I'm talking to my invisible courtesy adviser."

[rainbowsanddaisies]

chew with your mouth closed Bill!

[miamivicepastels83]

@bonzohart you just made me wiki the word hobo....just random

[jeanclaudevandamme]

Invisible men are always watching Bill in his bedroom. One day, he'll have the courage to invite -real- men into his bedroom.

[heat15sw]

@suchafool990 it would be cool to go back then but for me being mixed race my life would be hell

[suchafool990]

I want a time machine!!!

[Mysterycat74]

I don't get it. I see that they went to a Hobo themed party, and the guy keeps getting complimented on his "Costume"...but he's dressed NOTHING like a hobo!! He's wearing a button down shirt TUCKED IN with slacks! How is THAT a hobo costume??? Non of them seem to be dressed like hobos actually!

[kdreamland]

2:17

Narrator: I don't think carols going to wanna go out with you again, unless you.....

Bill: Huh?

Narrator: Did I touch a sore spot Bill? Well maybe you'd better try to be more...friendly, this time."

Bill can't get it up. at 4:18 the narrator reminds me he's supposed to RISE when an adult talks to him.

And 6:48

"I'll see you at refreshment time."

Bill: "Huh?"

If you press 9, "And I came with him. Really."

Bill "Those few changes made a big difference, didn't they?"

[qwertasdcfghjklmo24z]

If I was Carol and he spoke to me like that I would shut the door, get ready and sneak out the back entrance.

[brittanyultra]

Bill don't chew with your mouth open!

:P

[bonzohart]

Apparently, "social courtesy" doesn't extend to the homeless population, what with the mocking them at their "party" and all.

[InhumanCondition]

Bill 10 years later....Just shut up and get me a goddamn beer bitch!