Shot 53 / 11:15–11:20Select a shot, or shift-click to select multipleSelect a shot, or double-tap to select multiple

Beginning to Date

195311 min 20 sec53 shots

Students at Lincoln School prepare for a teen-club party at the community house, where some expect to arrive with dates. George has never asked a girl out, but a coach compares dating with taking a first dive and encourages him to try. George awkwardly but successfully invites Mildred, while alternate versions of Bill’s telephone call show how to identify oneself, explain the invitation clearly, and end the conversation politely.

Before the party, examples cover grooming, honest compliments, introductions to parents, and choosing conversation topics that interest both people. At the event, the teenagers dance, watch entertainment, and learn not to abandon a partner or remain too long in separate groups of boys and girls. George plans transportation so Mildred can meet her deadline, escorts her to the door, and waits until she is safely inside. The closing message says that courage, advance planning, and consideration for other people make dating more enjoyable.

Provenance and rights

Original producer: Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, Inc.
Collection: Prelinger Archives
Original title: Beginning to Date
Date: 1953
Original link: Open on Internet Archive
Rights: public_domain