Arranging the Tea Table (1946)
1946 · Ephemeral film · 7 min · dir. Edward G. Simmel
- Documentary
Synopsis
A gray-haired woman helps Joan arrange the table for a tea for friends. The rules of etiquette inform their work, and these rules reflect two principles: the practical arrangement of food and drink, and showing consideration for guests. The women pick out a tablecloth, choose a centerpiece, determine whether candles are in order, place the tea and coffee service, lay out cups, plates, spoons, and napkins, arrange the food, and then check everything. Will it be easy for the pourer? Can guests…
Synopsis from OMDb
Details
- Director
- Edward G. Simmel
- Writer
- Joseph E. Johnston
- Studio
- Simmel-Meservey
- Released
- 1946-06-15
- Running time
- 7 minutes
Cast & crew
- Edward G. Simmel Director
Reviews on the Internet Archive
★★★★★ · Watch where you put the Candlabra Missy! · Spuzz · 2003-08-22
Oh my god. With Arranging the Buffet Table and now Arranging the Tea Table, the makers of the film reach a zenith in high strangeness educational films. Using the same characters as was in 'Buffet Table" (eg Dim Witted Lady & Grey Haired Lady), the film takes a ridiculously complex approach about how to set the Tea table. Centerpiece EXACTLY in center! Candlabra alligned! Coffee urn and milk containers in the EXACT position please! Wow. In the middle, dim witted woman starts bending down. I totally thought she was bending down to grovel at the feet of Grey Haired Lady. But she was just…
★★★★ · Arranging the Tea Table · Big Boomer · 2008-04-20
Produced by the Atlanta School Board in 1946 this educational film is a wonderful bit of history. It shows the young woman who wants to host a tea party how to correctly set the table for a formal gathering. In the twenty-first century there are still formal occasions but very little instruction about how to conduct them or arrange for them which leaves the host/hostess having to rely on books or parents for advice. A delightful period piece from a by-gone generation.
★★★ · Good advice · PRG · 2005-03-29
Anyone who has gone to a buffet or tea, and has been unable to obtain food without knocking something over or bumping into someone else trying to extract their cutlery from a disorderly pile might wish their host had watched this film. Of course it is a product of its day, but there isn't anything here that wouldn't be taught to employees of a good, modern catering company. My only puzzle is why the film makers thought it neccesary to make this film and the one about a buffet. They seem almost identical.
