Habit Patterns (1954)

★★★★★ · Egad, that horrid stain! · blakta2 · 2008-11-26

I absolutely loved this film. I couldn't help but laugh at the absolute hugeness of the stain. I notice though, as another poster did, that the poor kid didn't seem to have anyone giving her any suggestions. I've raised 4 kids to adulthood so far and two are getting there. I'd like to think I've paid attention to what my kids went out the door to school in and I've got to say that a stain like that wouldn't have made it to the breakfast table let alone out the front door! BUT, at the age that Barbara is portraying in the film, it is time for the kid to be learning to take on responsibilities…

★★★★★ · Classic · DrAwkward · 2003-10-25

I love this movie. I like to imagine that Barbara is Sylvia Plath as a young girl, about to attempt suicide under her back porch because she cannot abide the rules of society that the unseen, bitch-goddess narrator attempts to hammer into her young brain, unaware that negative "habit patterns" can't be cured by "resting the fabric" of your dresses at night, but may have deep psychological roots and be reactions to bigger problems at home. This is high camp now, especially because it exposes an upper-middle class segment of society not prone to making such documents about itself, and also…

★★★★★ · Harrowing · Borogove · 2004-08-08

One of the really creepy things about this movie is that the cheery title music keeps on going even as we hear Barbara begin to cry; it only lends to the sadistic air this movie has. Even more disgusting is that the narrator praises Helen with, "she's able to match the right skirt with the right sweater". Suddenly, genetically inherited fashion sense becomes a habit one can apparently acquire! And then the narrator goes further by bashing Barbara's tastes. So what is she's "never gotten into the habit of reading books" or doesn't like music, politics, and art? Though the movie is trying to…

★★★★★ · Social history · PRG · 2005-05-08

'Habit patterns' extols the theory that organisation, confidence and social acceptance can be achieved through developing habits which anticipate and help to minimize future problems. Filmed in the mid 20th century this will be an anathema to early 21st century culture which says 'Its in my genes, 'changing me changes who I am' and 'Someone else is at fault', (Some reviews on this page make the point nicely) Nevertheless this is a well acted and directed film which does not hide the fact that developing new habits is a herculean task. I'll leave judgment as to whether habit patterns lead to…

★★★★★ · That might be the funniest video I have ever watched · theresafireinmyeyes · 2008-11-01

That's hilarious, I am Barbara and my best friend is Helen! Seriously, spooky. I am still online at 4 in the morning because I have "bad sleep patterns" while she showered at 10 and was in bed by 12, I think the narrator would not be impressed with me. This film is so condescendingly bad I love it :D

★★★★★ · A Useful Film For Retirees · JSBejma · 2012-09-29

Retirees can, at times, become slovenly and lazy - kinda like an overgown teenager. And when I first saw this film, that stain on that sweater hit so close to home. I had just inadvertently wore a white golf shirt to a senior mixer and was there about 15 minutes when I discovered I had forgotten to wash that thing which had food dribbles on it. So goes other things at the house from time to time. So when I realize I've been puttin off chores, I put this film on to remind me that I've become a 65 year old version of Barbara (complete with a single eyebrow but minus the perky "points"). It…