Synopsis
A film preparing elementary-school pupils for junior high: harder work, new friends and new independence; 1963.
Synopsis, reviewed
Details
- Running time
- 12 minutes
Reviews on the Internet Archive
★★★★★ · Where's my handbook? · martini66 · 2005-03-05
This is the first film I've viewed here that isn't hell bent on terrifying kids half to death, nor does it contain side-splitting hilarity. The film actually takes a positive, logical view of the dreaded "transition" to Jr. high, and helps kids to get a sense of belonging, and basically let's kids know what's going on. I think it's great communication for kids, even by today's standards. I would recommend to any parents or teachers.
★★★★★ · Jr Hi · Pathman · 2010-09-23
The film gave me panic attacks or PTSD.
★★★★ · Gee. · Spuzz · 2006-01-07
I found this film incredibly packed with guilt inducers and items to put even more pressure on the little tykes after they break free from Elementary school. This film is essentially one big list on what you should do and not do. You should act more like your friends! (this bothered me somewhat, I mean, what if they smoke!). There will be more pressure for you to do well! If your friends shun you, you will have to find new friends! And on and on it goes. What I found also amusing about this is how nerdy ¾ of the population was in this film. Maybe thats who the film WAS made for, all the jocks…
★★★★ · You suck. Get used to it. · dynayellow · 2004-11-04
Man, this has got to be the realpolitik of junior high films. Blatantly realistic about the fact that you might not be the smartest, or most athletic, but that there are still things you can do, if you want to. I wouldn't call this film oppressive: it tells you that "fitting in" is the easiest path to popularity (true), but also affirms that you can be true to yourself, and still find your own friends. Sure, there are some laugh-worthy moments, but I'd rather have someone blatantly telling me an unkind truth than have some aetheric "this is the place where everyone is accepted" crap.
Not My Jr High · JayKay49 · 2016-01-28
My Jr high was a chaotic discipline barn, a fraction of the size of the one seen here. To top it off, they brought in a pack of incompetent weirdo commie-inspired teachers, and got rid of the good ones after the first summer vacation (the year after this film was made). We even had 16 year olds in our eighth grade. A pack of us did summer school just to get the eff out of there ASAP. Hated it. Biggest waste of 2 years (I headed off to an honors curriculum downtown rather than do 9th grade there).
