Face of Youth

★★★★★ · Boys With Absent Fathers c.1950 · JSBejma · 2012-10-03

Boys whose fathers are away on business most of the time apparently react in different (never acceptable) ways to being trapped at home to play "husband" for a frowsy wife. That's where the public health nurse, the social worker, the child psychiatrist and the teacher get involved; and unfortunately, it centers on the poor kid who now is labled as a "nutcase" and has to go to some "institution" to play in front of a strange man who says very little. Of course in this case, the kid got dragged there because HE apparently was saying too little. Oh, well. Both boys in this very well done movie…

★★★★ · A Sad Face If Ever There Was One · Christine Hennig · 2005-02-06

This stark 50s mental health film shows us the role public health nurses have in safeguarding the mental health of a communitys children. Two boys in particular are featured, Alex, a class clown and troublemaker, and Ralph, a meek, anxious, people-pleasing kid. Alexs problems are easily solved by putting him on the school safety patrol, where, supposedly, his desire for attention is channeled in a healthy direction. Ralphs problems turn out to be more difficult, so he is referred to the local Child Guidance Center, where, after reassuring his mother that it is not a place for crazy kids, he…

★★★ · Somewhere, a child's painting is without a staple. · Spuzz · 2005-02-07

Rather poor technically, but somewhat interesting storywise tale of a boy named Ralph, and how many people try to coax Ralph out of his shyness and whatnot. This is rather confusingly told, as we start out by mainly focusing on a community nurse and her job. Slowly, it develops into ralph's story. You kind of wonder how things have changed when nurses were a "uninvited but welcome guest" that barged into your home and started asking you questions. After doing just that to Ralph's Mom (and wearing a heavy plastic apron?!) she notices Ralph and decides to stalk the boy, or something, following…