| “ | What's the matter? Doesn't that sound exciting to you? | ” |
| - Narrator |
A Date with Your Family is a 1950 social engineering short film produced by Simmel-Meservey, directed by Edward G. Simmel and written by Arthur V. Jones. It is primarily intended to show youth how to behave with their parents during dinner to have a pleasant time.
Synopsis[]
A father coming home from work in the afternoon is met by his wife. Their older son is completing his homework when his younger brother (Junior) comes home dirty from playing baseball and is helped to clean up by the older brother. Then the older brother meets Father to have a pleasant chat. The narrator points out that it is not the time for the son to bring up any bad news such as poor grades.
The mother and daughter wear their best dresses to the table to please the men of the family and the daughter helps the mother to set up the table. When the food is served, no one is to begin eating until the mother and father do so. Table talk is to remain pleasant and inoffensive and everyone should be themselves, without becoming overly emotional.
It is shown that the conversation should be kept light and not egocentric. As cautionary examples, the daughter complains about he clothes, comparing them to other women's, which causes negativity. The older son begins to talk and motion graphically about a fight, which displeases the father. The son then argues with his sister.
When the meal is over, the narrator points out the dishes being put away by the brother and sister while the mother and father talk. The short ends with the narrator saying that a pleasant time can be shared with the family every time if all of the instructions are followed are followed and the unpleasant actions are avoided.
Known Cast[]
- Hugh Beaumont as Narrator
- Ralph Hodges as Brother
- Fred La Porta as Father
Notes[]
MST3K Connections[]
- Director and producer Edward G. Simmel was also director and producer for Let's Make a Meal in 20 Minutes.
- Hugh Beaumont (narrator) also portrayed Robert Phillips in Lost Continent, Austin Welles in The Human Duplicators, and Dr. Jud Bellamin in The Mole People.
References[]