Boys Beware (1961)

★★★★★ · Yes, we definately have come far ... · Alephnaught · 2005-10-26

I'm giving this 5 stars, not because it's actually good in and of itself, but because it's an important snapshot in time of an era when people actually thought this way. The fact that nearly every review has (correctly IMHO) emphasised how ridiculous and unintentionally hilarious this film now appears to us in 2005, is a telling indication of how how far we have progressed on this issue. It's also very telling that the only two dissentions come from someone who appears to have stepped straight out of the movie, (Or maybe I should be more charitable, and he was crafting a masterpiece of…

★★★★★ · Good advice, bad rationale · uniQ · 2011-04-17

Stripped of the "explanation" about homosexuals, the content of this film is no different from "Girls Beware" (or other, similar firms), which noone complains about. We are told to essentially avoid risky situations like being in strange or deserted places alone and unknown, being too trusting of people we don't know well, and similar lessons. Viewed as a teaching tool, it would be very useful except for the totally erroneous claims about homosexuality. As a historical display of views, it's definitely highly valued. I'm hesitating between a 4 and a 5, but will leave it at five as that was my…

★★★★★ · Wow. · K2728 · 2006-02-16

As another commentator put it, the reviews are almost more interesting than the film itself... but I digress. I agree and disagree with various posts, but I think this film brings to light a much bigger picture than the topic of the film itself: the role of film propoganda. Anyone who has viewed other films from this era or earlier understands the very decisive slant that such films portray: military films made it clear that you represented loyalty to your country by serving in the military; the danger of atomic warfare and destruction was downplayed to control widespread national fear(see…

★★★★★ · I didn't know that homosexuality was contagious · AWilcoxson1 · 2004-05-01

I am forever in Sid Davis's debt, before watching this film I was unaware that homosexuality was "just as contagious and just as deadly as small pox." I was planning a trip to San Francisco, but now I have changed my mind. If I went there I might have to take use a public restroom at some point, but with public restrooms being a "homosexual hangout," I am afraid that it would not be safe for me to releive myself. A gay man might try to show me some pornographic pictures, or take me miniature golfing or something. This film is great entertainment. It is halarious - its right up there with…

★★★★★ · Good thing times have changed · ka-twig007 · 2005-06-02

Five stars because this film is so lousy it's good! I love how homosexuals are made out to be almost like zombies in this one, especially the public restroom homosexual. It's the perfect example of how you hear things like "Homosexuals had it a thousand times as bad fifty years ago," but if you weren't alive fifty years ago, you don't realize how absolutely terrible the American view on homosexuality actually was until you see a hilariously bad film like this one.

★★★★★ · Gay or not gay? · Love thy neighbour · 2006-03-30

is it just me that thinks the guy that took the license plate number was also gay? I think all the boys that weren't supposed to be gay really were. But i loved the film. And don't get me started on the 'pornography' bit! It was just hilarious! "He knew he shouldn't be interested..." What a laugh!