Movie Type: Film & Television History, Social History
Release Year: 2001
Country: US
Run Time: 120 minutes
Plot
In this collection of vintage educational films dating from the late 1940s though the early 1970s, children are informed of the best ways to fit in socially, wash thoroughly, make smart decisions, and exercise proper cafeteria etiquette. Films featured include Lunchroom Manners, Shy Guy, Why Doesn't Cathy Eat Breakfast?, Soapy the Germ Fighter, The Outsider, and more. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Review
This short film compilation doesn't offer the outrageous subject matter of Educational Archives, Vol. 1: Sex and Drugs, but still boasts plenty of amusing moments for fans of educational films. Educational Archives, Vol. 2: Social Engineering 101 focuses on films produced between the 1940s and 1970s that attempted to teach schoolchildren proper social behavior. Two of the most unusual shorts focus on cleanliness. "Soapy the Germ Fighter" features a bar of soap coming to life to teach a boy about the benefits of staying clean and "Lunchroom Manners" teaches children proper manners for the cafeteria with the help of a puppet called Mr. Bungle. The latter short is already a cult favorite with Pee Wee Herman fans because a shortened version of it was used in The Pee Wee Herman Show. However, the best shorts on Educational Archives, Vol. 2: Social Engineering 101 are the ones that utilize dramatic narratives to communicate their points. "Shy Guy" depicts a young Dick York learning how to fit in by following his dad's advice of studying the in-crowd and "The Outsider" tells its tale of a girl coming to terms with her feelings of social inferiority with a melodramatic flair worthy of Douglas Sirk. Overall, Educational Archives, Vol. 2: Social Engineering 101 offers less overt camp value than its predecessor, but its attempts at pop psychology are guaranteed to fascinate educational film aficionados. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Credit
James Healey - Producer, Ian Hendrie - Producer, Derrick Scocchera - Producer
