'As Others See Us' was produced in St. Louis and Webster Groves, Missouri, in 1953. It is a very dated film, about how to be polite to others and behave in public, and at some points succeeds in being fairly misogynistic as well. Odd, considering it was directed by a woman. For instance, a girl is never allowed to order something at a restaurant. Her date must do it for her. Also, if there is no maitre'd at a restaurant, the boy must show the girl to her seat (this also applies to movie dates, mind you). Heaven forbid she go to a restaurant (or a movie) on her own, or at least unaccompanied by a man! Also, according to this film, of "accidents" occur, it's best to quickly change the subject once you've apologized and offered to fix the damage. The lunch-line scene offers some fairly patronizing narration, as does the powder room scene (in tandem with the aforementioned restaurant date).
The thing I liked the most about this film is the candid view it offers of the time and place in which it was produced. The kids in the film are actual high school students, and they presumably are actually going about their daily business at school. The opening and closing scenes show a formal dance, with lots of wonderful 1953 clothes (modern youngsters wouldn't be caught dead in them!) and the color photography, while rather faded in the print I saw, makes things all the more interesting to watch. All-in-all, it's worth watching for Prelinger Archive fans.
The thing I liked the most about this film is the candid view it offers of the time and place in which it was produced. The kids in the film are actual high school students, and they presumably are actually going about their daily business at school. The opening and closing scenes show a formal dance, with lots of wonderful 1953 clothes (modern youngsters wouldn't be caught dead in them!) and the color photography, while rather faded in the print I saw, makes things all the more interesting to watch. All-in-all, it's worth watching for Prelinger Archive fans.