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BOYS BEWARE, Dir. Sid Davis
Special EventsThis Is A PSA

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: American Nightmare

14:30 Sun 12 Jan 2020

Regent Street Cinema

The term ‘ephemeral film’ was first coined by film archivist Rick Prelinger to categorise films including social guidance films, police training videos, and PSA’s, specifically made for non-artistic purposes. Veering from insidious propaganda to the hilariously misguided, this strand offers a portal into the prejudices, fears and desires of a not-so-distant past.

In this treasure trove of oddities we look at how the ephemeral film functioned in the everyday, moving beyond its role as an educational tool into something more insidious.

Beginning with the aspirational consumerism found in the dark heart of the American dream, this programme moves on to explore how other dubious ideologies were firmly embedded in these films, from anti-homosexual fear-mongering to creationist myth propagating. These films kept their viewers locked into a cycle of rampant materialism and perpetual fear. Programmed by Tom Grimshaw. 94’

This retrospective is kindly supported by The Prelinger Archive and AV Geeks.

Regent Street Cinema

309 Regent St, Marylebone
W1B 2UW
0207 911 5050
Adult £12 / Concessions £11
Website

Access

Please find all access information here, or drop a line to Helen MacKenzie at access@shortfilms.org.uk for more information or special requests.

  • OUR FEATURE PRESENTATION

    1 mins (US, 1960)

    Vintage introduction to main features used in the 70s

  • BOYS BEWARE

    Sid Davis 11 mins (US, 1961)

    Anti-homosexual film targeted at teenage boys, urging them to avoid encounters with potential molesters.

  • NEW PORK: AN EXCITING TASTE TREAT

    4 mins (US, 1970)

    Donna Jenkins, a female food editor, types up new slogans for pork when she isn't busy having pork-related supermarket meat-counter fantasies!

  • WHY PLAY LEAP FROG?

    10 mins (US, 1949)

    A cartoon aimed at convincing workers that increased productivity brings about purchasing power.

  • CONSUMING WOMEN (WOMEN AS CONSUMERS)

    Procter & Gamble 4 mins (US, 1967)

    "Here she is. She is single and fun-loving. She is engaged. She is newly married. And not so newly married. She has no children. She has one child. She has many children. She even has grandchildren."

  • ON EVERY HAND

    National Safety Council 10 mins (US, )

    Informs industrial workers, students, and the general public of the importance of the hand in all types of work situations. Stresses hand safety.

  • 200

    Vincent Collins 4 mins (US, 1975)

    This trippy tribute to the USA's 200th birthday

  • CARNIVOROUS PLANTS

    Moody Institute of Science 10 mins (US, 1955)

    On the surface, this film may seem like an average biology film, but like most of films from the Moody Institute of Science, there is an ulterior motive.

  • WE'VE GOT IT

    Coca Cola Company 13 mins (US, 1970s)

    For Coca Cola delivery persons to take pride in their displays and fronting the cans.

  • KNIFE THROWER AND CHILDREN

    1 mins (US, )

    The knife-thrower Louella Gallagher throws knives at her daughters Connie Ann, 5, and Colleena Sue, 2.5 yrs old, in Austin, Texas.

  • SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT

    Sid Davis 10 mins (US, 1966)

    Another Sid Davis classic about a teen-age boy and girl, who through a need to belong and to go along with the group, start first with barbiturates and end up as heroin addicts.

  • JOY RIDE - AN AUTO THEFT

    Bill Crain 13 mins (US, 1976)

    This cautionary tale was aimed towards young, thrill-seeking teens. The exciting car chase at the end of the film may have glamorized joy-riding to students more than actually demonize it.

  • THE MULLINAIRES

    Youngtown Kitchens 3 mins (US, 1953)

    A chorus of kitchen salesmen sings an inspirational song to rally the rest of the troops.

  • DRIVE-IN: GOODNIGHT

    1 mins (US, 1960)

    Come back again soon!