How Honest are You? (1950)

★★★★ · Rashomon, Coronet style! · Spuzz · 2003-07-30

This odd film is quite an oddity from Coronet Films. First, it opens up with a group of people and a narrator speaking into the camera. We're trying to figure out what really happens when a boy went into someone else's locker. Was he stealing something? Plenty of witnesses come forward, telling their side of the story, it's all quite interesting and gripping until the VERY STUPID AND PAT ENDING. You're left with a "suuuure" attitude that this REALLY happened and that the kid just made up that excuse. And hey! It's Edward from Dating Do's and Don'ts! And Jason Priestley!

★★★★ · How Honest Are You? · Christine Hennig · 2002-11-04

Jim sees Bob take something out of Ben's locker. Later, he sees Bob buying an expensive pen at the drugstore. Jumping to conclusions, he hints to his friends that Bob may be a thief and this ultimately leads to a big, soul-searching conversation in the coach's office among all parties involved about the nature of honesty. Although rather hokily presented, this film actually deals with some complex moral issues in a fairly intelligent way, especially for a Coronet film. Of course, the entire incident is the sort of problem we all wish we could have, but the moral principles could apply to more…

★★★ · I'm Ready For My Close Up · Dodsworth the Cat · 2021-09-27

Rose's confession of love to the camera in a close shot is the highlight of this little film, which also includes Nick, last seen trying to take Kay (who is Rose in this film) to a weenie roast in "What To Do on a Date," also a 1950 Coronet film. In fact, there's a lot of talking to the camera in this one, which I don't recall happening in other Coronets. You'll recall Bob in the role of "Bob" in "Developing Friendships," another 1950 Coronet. I gather the Coronet writer wanted to do a fun ending for a change.

★★★ · Good but somewhat contrived · ERD · 2006-03-29

Good points brought out about being honest, but the coach making a lesson of it with a blackboard seemed contrived. Enjoyed seeing the styles and mannerizms of the 1950 high school teenagers.

★★★ · Let's Dissect The Term "Honest" · JSBejma · 2014-09-24

And that is exactly what they did. Apparently Hillary Rodham (later Clinton) was home sick from school the day they showed this film.