Posture Pals (1952) User Reviews

Yes, you are a nobody without good posture!

[icehole4 · 1/10 · 12 February 2003]

According to this short film, if you don't have good posture, you will be mocked, ridiculed, and laughed. While it was very informative for its time, it definitely didn't stand up to the test of time. Basically they talk about how good posture will get you everything you want.

Now straighten up! We've got company coming...

Ms. Martin's Silhouette Night

[CelluloidRehab · 3/10 · 1 April 2009]

Another instructional movie, typical of the 1950s. This one is about posture. The only claim to fame of Posture Pals is that MST3k used it for one of their sketches and it is probably the first film appearance of a pre-Laura Engels, Melissa Gilbert look-a-like. Crazy, right?

As is typical with instructional films like this, it leaves a lot of room for unintended comedic consequences. The only good thing I can say about PP is the shortness, 10 minutes. It also marks the beginning of the change in educational policy from winner to winners concept and eventually leading to "last winner". I bet Mary, Tommy, Jimmy & Jane (respective Posture Queen, King, Prince & Princess) could burn all existing copies of this. I don't blame the kids. I blame Ms. Martin, the mime. Never trust a mime.

Plot points:

1) Good health = good posture.

2) Good posture keeps you from being tired.

3) Develop the habit of good posture.

4) The way you look can depend upon your posture. Standing tall makes you look cheerful & happy.

-Celluloid Rehab

School Health Films Tended Toward Goofy

[kkmwills · 3/10 · 6 August 2022]

This is a pretty dry health film from the early 50s. Good posture *is* helpful due to the spine being central to various regions of the body. No one promised fame, success, or power if the student had good posture.

I thought it was interesting to have a posture-buddy; it was nice to see support among the "worst" posture kids, as there was no promise of any of them would be chosen. Yes, this is a fictional story, but not all four kids *had* to be chosen.

The teacher/ class was going to choose the most improved posture by naming two boys and two girls in a "court" situation not too different from a prom king and queen. There seems to be more of a court in high school than for these 3rd graders, though.

It was a short that was okay by itself but, again, better through the MST3K lens of silliness.

Then Tommy's head is lit on fire!

[[e-mail] · 17 June 2003]

This short is absolutely hilarious on MST3K, but I'm sure it would be funny anyway! The thought that these kids would actually stand up straight and avoid slouching all day for A PAPER CROWN! It's uproarious! I found this short rather entertaining, but then again, I also check out educational videos from my local library just to mock them. For kicks and giggles, I give "Posture Pals" a ten.

Posture, kids, posture!

[madmonkmcghee · 4/10 · 27 August 2013]

Creepy slice of 50's conformity forced on innocent school kids. Well...innocent? One girl looks like a young Baby Jane, and the boys look like they would beat you up for your school money, or simply for slouching. Wanna have a life worth living? Then keep you back straight! That about sums up the cheerful message of this unintentionally hilarious short. But hey, look at school kids nowadays. Don't you just hate that sloppy look and who cares-posture? Well, that's what you get for not taking shorts like this seriously. We were warned, but we simply didn't listen. More fool us. BTW all the boys who took part in this picture later became important men of science, politics and industry. The girls became bored housewives with a drinking problem, but great posture.