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Going Steady?

195110 min 37 sec42 shots

This 1951 instructional film follows Marie and Jeff, two teenagers who have dated each other regularly without discussing whether they are “going steady.” Marie feels ignored by other boys because Jeff is assumed to be her exclusive partner, while Jeff discovers the same assumption after another girl refuses his invitation to a school play. Each begins to question what going steady means and whether either of them has agreed to its expectations.

Marie’s mother worries about exclusivity and unwanted sexual pressure, while Marie’s friend describes the security of a steady relationship but says a couple must set physical limits. Jeff’s parents advise him to enjoy dating Marie without making commitments and warn that young people can drift toward marriage before learning how they relate to different partners. In the final scene, Jeff asks Marie to the play in advance, and they agree that he will sometimes ask and she will sometimes accept. Their flexible answer leaves viewers to consider the opening question for themselves.

Provenance and rights

Original producer: Coronet Instructional Films
Collection: Prelinger Archives
Original title: Going Steady?
Date: 1951
Original link: Open on Internet Archive
Rights: public_domain