For Health and Happiness (in the Ephemeral section of Open Video Project. Also, film #549 on Prelinger Archive). [Category: Public Service]

This 40s film features lots of children and teens frolicking and playing in bathing suits or sunsuits, while a female narrator goes on and on about how healthy and “well-developed” they are because of good nutrition, exercise, plenty of fresh air and sunshine, and all-around right living. She really does go on and on about this, and it’s only near the end of the film that some actual suggestions are given for how to bring this about. Most of the nutritional suggestions are reasonably sound (fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads, etc.) but the food looks really terrible, especially the dried fruit, the canned salmon, and the suggestion that pig’s liver is just as good as beef. A mildly campy look at another era’s childraising and nutrition standards.

Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ****.