This Encyclopedia Britannica film is livelier than most EB films, probably because it covers a classic genre: dating. The film features a bunch of junior high school kids going to their first dating party. Unlike most films of this type, the kids seem very realistic––they vary widely developmentally in both physical appearance and emotional maturity, which is typical of this age group. The most entertaining couple is George and Mildred. Although their names make them sound like senior citizens (and they probably are today), George is a classic case of delayed puberty (he looks and talks like he's about 9 1/2, tops) while Mildred is charmingly shy and awkward, as well as being a full head taller than George. The film contains both many moments of realistic junior high behavior (one boy fails to pick up his girlfriend from the bathroom because he's busy playing tag with another boy in the coatroom; the dance floor initially splits into the "boy huddle" and the "girl huddle") and great mstable moments (possible topics of conversation are printed in subtitles above characters' heads; Mildred says "bye" and walks into her house without giving George so much as a handshake). Another classic of the dating genre.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ****.
