During
my sojourn in the 1950’s my daily dose of information included not
only books and magazines of the time, but the education films, made
for school children, were often helpful. They gave an insight into
the thoughts and ideals of the adult population of the day and of
what they wished to impart to the next generation.
Yesterday
I was going though them and found this one, “Act your Age” from
1949. The title made me laugh and of course think of Facebook. How
many times do I see in my feed various ‘tests’: “What tea
kettle are you?” What national brand sponge cake would you be? How
much like this or that movie star is your dog?” I watched it.
Surprisingly,
or actually not so as I often found in my year in the past, the film
actually pointed out some rather sound advice and held a mirror to
our own modern society. I was happy to see, once fully viewed, that
in no one did the ‘bad or childish’ behaviour we were meant to
not emulate if we were older include happiness or wonder. Those
actions we often associate with child-like attitude of joy from simple
things and pleasure in the moment were not looked down upon.
The
actions it did associate as child-like made me really take note.
These over reactions to things I have viewed on adults in front of
children in department stores. A rash quick response which, if we
really thought about it, might be better for our mental health were
we to stop, assess the moment and then think, “Well, I should act a
bit more calm and rational” Which, honestly, is all this film is
asking of the young gentleman and ladies of the day.
In
the film the main young man on his own makes a list that I thought
would be fun to share. Because we could make it and ask friends,
family, children, parents, what they think. It could easily be posted
on Facebook to get laughs I am sure. Here is the list he made:
Remove
You
will have to excuse the quality as I had to do a screen capture of
the film. The idea was, if you can’t make it through the film, was
that he made this list then rated himself and then asked others what
they thought. You might think you act 10 when someone disagrees with
you, but you friend might think you act like a toddler. That sort of
thing. With the idea that one would monitor their reactions and hope
for improvement.
In
today’s instant world and endless stuff, we often can seem like a
creche’ of spoiled children. We want what we want and we want it
now and if we don’t get it you bet you are gonna get an ear full or
a tantrum. One has to only ask the poor tired Retail sales person
about adults ‘child-like’ behaviour.
Enjoy
the film for what it is and let me know if you agree disagree or even
care about reactions to situations by adults in our modern world.
And
to close on a yummy note, here is last nights home-made French onion
soup.
I just use this recipe:
I just use this recipe:
