WHAT TO DO ON A DATE
Sign in to track this film in your collection or want list.
Duration: 11 min
Genre: home movie
Year Published: 1951
Creator: Coronet Films
Format: 16mm
Color: Color
Credits: David A. Smart (producer)
Description: This black and white 1951 classroom film directed by Ted Peshak and narrated by George Stone depicts a senior high school boy as he nervously attempts to ask a girl for a date, offering practical and economical dating advice regarding the potential of tame amusements such as square dances, weenie roasts, and taffy pulls (TRT: 11:08). Opening titles: "A Coronet Film, What To Do On A Date" Educational Collaborator Evelyn M. Duvall, Ph.D., Consultant, National Council on Family Relations (0:11). Two young boys play catch on a summer’s day while a girl carrying groceries watches from afar. We are introduced to Jeff, Kay, and Nick. Narration: "Nick, well, he has a real dating problem. If he took Kay out on a date, what would they do, where would they go?" (0:33). Nick returns home for his tennis racket and Jeff noses through Nick’s notebook. A page reveals Kay’s telephone number under a reminder to report on the life of Nathanial Hawthorne. Jeff plays matchmaker and proposes inviting Kay to a community center scavenger sale. Nick was planning on asking her to a movie, "Wagon Train" (1:11). Nick picks up the phone. Kay is pleased to answer, but she’s already seen "Wagon Train." The community center scavenger sale is a surprise hit (2:25). A white elephant advertises the sale. Teens decorate and label sale items in a crowded room (3:50). Nick helps Kay hang a sign for knick-knacks. Kay is having a good time. Wingman Nick smiles approvingly at the success of his good advice (4:58). A bulletin board at the community center hosts a treasure trove of dating opportunities: "Bike Trip, Bowling Party, Square Dance, etc." (5:59). The bike trip double date, in Nick’s mind’s eye. Alternatives: "Record Concert, Swim Meet, Weenie Roast." Teens gather around a fire with hot dogs. Teens in the stands of a baseball game (6:08). Swimming. Square Dancing. A picnic. Nick lost in reverie (6:54). A double date at a Balaban Cinema (7:19). Kay and another girl discuss Nick’s prospects. George, a pest, bothers them. Trays of Coca-cola and sandwiches are served. Nick and Kay find some boxes to sit upon and eat. Kay doesn’t mind the low-cost entertainment (8:11). Nick tries the bicycle trip gambit. Another bullseye. Kay enjoys baseball games and taffy pulls. "I think they’re swell." Nick lays out a host of options, but they settle on a weenie roast (9:30). Ice cream interrupts the magical moment. "It’s a date." Narration: "If you do these things, you’ll know what to do on your date" (10:24). Coronet films, frequently satirized for their wooden acting and often dry approach to educational content, operated from 1934 to 1984, producing hundreds of 16mm classroom shorts. They are best remembered for their contributions to the "social hygiene" movement of the mid-20th century, of which this film is a prime example.
Complete Record:
Transcription
[Music] [Music] so [Music] this is a story about what to do on a date it begins one early summer afternoon it begins with jeff and kay and nick [Music] of course you may not have a problem about what to do on a date but nick well he has a real dating problem if he took k out on a date what would they do where would they go just a minute jeff i'll get my tennis racket okay nick but hurry hey what about asking kay to come to the community center with us on friday to fix up that scavenger sale we could make it a double date what you heard what i said that's no place to take a girl on a date helping to fix up the scavenger sail is it why not on a first date first date yeah kay's a swell girl i was gonna i was thinking of calling her maybe ask her to the show friday good picture wagon train well hurry up and call her and let's get going i still have to get my things yet call her now sure you know the number don't you okay what if she says no hello oh hello kay this is nick baxter oh hello nick how are you fine thanks say k next friday would you like to see wagon train at the movies oh i'm sorry nick i've already seen wagon train i suppose you've got your mind made up to see it you've seen it she's already seen it well ask her about the scavenger said go ahead uh okay you wouldn't want to help get the scavenger sale ready at the community center would you oh i've been hearing about that yes i'd like to very much you would all right i'll call for you then about seven bye i sure didn't think she'd go to a place like that for a day where's my racket oh ready you know you better think some more fellow about what to do on a date you think you'll have a good time what do you suppose i'll have to do now you may not have thought of this sort of thing as a place to take a date but it looks like it could be fun a group doing things together pretty good idea for a first date plenty to do plenty of people to talk to but let's see if nick and kay are enjoying it no amount of stuff can make this thing look any older boy that is an old-timer can you help me put the sign up oh sure i can't quite reach that far how's this that's about right are you really having a good time of course i am i'm glad you saw him coming here so am i i mean yes it was a good idea okay how about helping with refreshments for the game all right see you later oh uh uh yeah oh sure got any more tax i think they're over there by the door yes it was a good idea to come here how does jeff get ideas like that hey what's this maybe this is where jeff gets ideas a list of coming activities a bike trip that could be a lot of fun a chance to do things with a group to get acquainted it does look like a good time if your partner likes it would kay enjoy a bike trip or a weenie roast another group date a chance to learn the give and take of working and playing together not much arranging needed not much expense and that can be important could be a fine date if k would like it wonder if she'd like to go to a baseball game a date that's not too involved one you can carry through comfortably and there are all sorts of other sports events inexpensive dates most of them swimming meets for example you can find many good ideas for days [Music] dates that give you a good chance to get acquainted [Music] and dates that you don't have to worry too much about in advance it was a good deal coming here tonight double dating with jeff and phyllis when all four are good friends and enjoy the same things double dates can be lots of fun or you can ask k to go on dates with you alone if you plan for what she enjoys hey you loafer what are you doing over there be right there fine thing as soon as chaos and around the supervisor go off on a vacation you know maestro i don't think your date ideas are so original what about what to do on a date i mean but what i'd like to know is how can you figure out what a girl would like to do a certain girl i mean well you might ask her yep nick's looking for you is he good company he always seems so quiet we get along all right he's got a good sense of humor and we haven't run out of things to say yet he's kind of cute you gonna date him again i don't know besides he hasn't asked me george get out of there i'm hungry if you want to do something take the cokes out there okay i think so [Applause] hi stranger i decided to come out of hiding say this looks good you make the sandwiches flattery where should we go how about over here your table madame thank you sir this is fun isn't it yeah you're sure you like to do things like this sure i thought all girls wanted fellas to take them to fancy places spend lots of money not this girl you know i sort of like things like this too you won't laugh i like to go on bicycle trips too do you and miniature golf do you know yeah and weenie roasts and square dances and baseball games and taffy full i think they're swell say you like to do lots of things don't you say k next friday there's gonna be a weenie roast or there will be a bowling party if you'd rather do that or or we could go to the band concert well i'd enjoy going to the weenie rose very much unless you'd rather go bowling no i'd rather go to the weenie rose if jeff goes with fellas we could double date with them hey nick okay come on we're gonna break open the ice cream okay be right there is it all right then about friday yes nick it's the date yes there are lots of things to do on dates if you know how to look for them if you plan them with the other person in mind and if you really try to make sure each date's a good time if you do these things you'll know what to do on your day you
Metadata Source:Wikipedia — List of Coronet Films
1 user has this film:
Periscope Film
Related films:
- The Nash Rambler (1950) · Nash-Kelvinator Corporation
- [1941 HOME MOVIE VISIT TO SEGREGATION ERA WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA MONTICELLO] (1941)
- Home Movie: Great Industrial and Tourism Exposition (1932)
- 1963 STATE VISIT OF CZECH PRESIDENT ANTONIN NOVOTNY TO INDONESIA SUKARNO GG47715d (1963)
- [1957 TRIP TO DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES & SAN PEDRO] (1957)
- 1920s / 1930s HOME MOVIES HORSE FARM SWIMMING HOLE HARVESTING WHEAT w/ HORSE DRAWN TOOLS CS10015
- [1929-1932 HOME MOVIES OF VASSAR COLLEGE NEW YORK] (1929)
- [1930s HOME MOVIES ROMBOUT RIDING CLUB, VASSAR PUPPIES FAMILY REUNION DINNER RHINEBECK] · PeriscopeFilm
Original permalink · Record added: 2025-01-23 16:45:36