This black and white film called the Danger Line was probably produced between 1939 and 1950. Its purpose was to instruct children of the danger of wearing shoes that don’t fit. This Instructional film of the Institute of Visual Training was supported by Thom McAn Shoe Stores probably after 1939 as they were enlarging their business to its highest point in 1960. The film opens showing a Thom McAn Shoe Store (0:27-0:29). Two boys dressed in suits enter the store and speak to the manager (0:30-0:51). They are returning a size stick their teacher, Miss Brown, borrowed for a demonstration (0:52-1:23). They tell their story: Miss Brown saw a young boy struggling to run while playing baseball because his shoes hurt his feet (1:24-1:51) so in class she does a demonstration, Johnny’s shoes were too short even though he had only had them a little while (1:52-3:17). Why wear shoes that fit? How far do you walk a day? Boys can walk 15 miles a day, girls can walk 11. If shoes don’t fit, they can damage the growing feet of children. Scenes of children playing (3:18-4:43). Proper walking takes less effort. Walking with feet straight ahead creates better posture (4:44-5:40). View of children walking correctly (5:41-6:12). How to make sure you wear properly fitting shoes: use a size stick to measure your foot (6:25-7:53), make sure shoes fit properly in width and around the heel (7:54-9:40). Improperly fitting shoes can damage your feet it is dangerous to wear them too small (9:41-11:34). How to keep track of your foot growth: use paper size stick, mark the date on the chart next at the end of the big toe, once a month measure your foot to see growth (11:35-14:30). Measure your feet frequently and have a healthy life style to be assured your feet grow properly (14:31-15:23). The boys finish telling the manager their story (15:23-15:27). Narrator closes by reminding you to wear the proper size shoe and watch the danger line (15:27-15:47).

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