Opportunities for young women in the field of home economics.Opportunities for young women in the field of home economics.Opportunities for young women in the field of home economics.
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Narrator: It was just the usual sort of day... or was it?
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A film for the ladies
There weren't a lot of professional options for women in the mid- 20th century. Occupations that extended beyond "housewife" and "mother" were more limited than they are today. With the current of social mores flowing so hard in the opposite direction, it took a little extra to sell girls on the idea of going to college. Hence this film, which extols the value of an education in home economics.
It would have been quite the progressive leap at the time to tell girls they could be doctors, lawyers, or engineers. A degree in home ec was a safer message, shouting "You can go to college!" and whispering "But your place is in the home, or at least in a kitchen somewhere."
Regardless, this message resonates with our protagonist, Kay, who experiences an epiphany as a representative of (presumably) Iowa State College rhapsodizes about the many opportunities afforded by a home ec major. Thus inspired, Kay takes that boldest of steps and enrolls.
We follow Kay and several of her classmates as they earn their degrees in home economics. Highlights include Kay's first big farewell from her emotionally distant parents, avant-garde interpretive dance disguised as a cheerleading routine, and a house full of girls raising a baby purchased on the black market with student activity fees (reviewer's conjecture).
In regards to the filming style, I'm a little curious: are the girls in this short actual home ec students who got drafted to appear in the film, or are they members of the university's drama department? Was it shot silently and overdubbed because no one in it could actually act, or was that just cheaper? The answer is lost in the mists of time.
Anyway, MST3k have a great time with this one, although the jokes about campus shootings haven't worn well. "Hey look! It's Lou Costello in drag!" nearly suffocated me.
It would have been quite the progressive leap at the time to tell girls they could be doctors, lawyers, or engineers. A degree in home ec was a safer message, shouting "You can go to college!" and whispering "But your place is in the home, or at least in a kitchen somewhere."
Regardless, this message resonates with our protagonist, Kay, who experiences an epiphany as a representative of (presumably) Iowa State College rhapsodizes about the many opportunities afforded by a home ec major. Thus inspired, Kay takes that boldest of steps and enrolls.
We follow Kay and several of her classmates as they earn their degrees in home economics. Highlights include Kay's first big farewell from her emotionally distant parents, avant-garde interpretive dance disguised as a cheerleading routine, and a house full of girls raising a baby purchased on the black market with student activity fees (reviewer's conjecture).
In regards to the filming style, I'm a little curious: are the girls in this short actual home ec students who got drafted to appear in the film, or are they members of the university's drama department? Was it shot silently and overdubbed because no one in it could actually act, or was that just cheaper? The answer is lost in the mists of time.
Anyway, MST3k have a great time with this one, although the jokes about campus shootings haven't worn well. "Hey look! It's Lou Costello in drag!" nearly suffocated me.
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- johnny_burnaway
- Feb 1, 2017
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