“Should You Drink?” is a black-and-white scripted educational film based on the basic health text Health for Effective Living as part of the McGraw-Hill Text Films series. It was made in 1958. The film seeks to answer questions relating to the foundations of our relationships to alcohol and seeks to provide the psychological roots for what drives a person to choose to drink and how much. Produced by Crawley Films Canada, this film answers these pressing questions through a scripted story that revolves around Jerry, a sociable real estate agent who has trouble turning down a drink. Jerry’s drinking habits put strain on his relationships with friends and his fiancé, Julie. While making the film, production consulted with educational advisers: Edward B. Johns, Professor, School Health Education UCLA; Wilfred C. Sutton, Associate Professor, School Health Education UCLA, Lloyd E. Webster, M.A., Director of Health Education.
Opening credits (0:10). Cover of Health for Effective Living Textbook, two coeds walk beside each other (0:29). Bustling bar: couples seated at different tables, wall decals of bubbles and martini glasses (0:49). Three men (Jerry, Al, Steve) in suits sit in booth, ashtray on table having rounds of drinks and discussing real estate (1:27). Mid-century modern clock hangs on wall (2:10). Jerry’s fiancé (Julie) wrapped in towel from shower answers telephone from living room featuring fireplace, bookshelf (2:25). Woman enters entertaining room carrying tray of glasses while wearing 1950s poodle-skirt cocktail dress (3:14). Woman (Debbie) sets glasses down on table with bottle of alcohol, husband (Frank) prepares himself a drink (3:29). The couple talks in their living room with fire place, large armchair, bookshelves, and 1950s-style television set (4:13). Julie sits and paints her nails in her living room waiting for Jerry, camera cuts to clock on fireplace and the clock at the bar (4:49). Jerry, Al, Steve continue conversation at the bar, order more drinks (5:16). Jerry uses perhaps Crosley CR56-BK 1950’s Payphone in bar (6:09). Close-up as hand pours tonic water into glass in foreground, table set up with wine, ice bucket, snacks (7:19). Frank and Debbie entertain guests in living room for cocktail party, men in suits and women wearing 1950s cocktail dresses and pearl necklaces – guests discuss Jerry’s drinking habits (7:32). Debbie welcomes Julie in foyer, Julie removes fur shawl to reveal her cocktail dress (11:16). Julie goes into living room, other guests greet her warmly as she is offered a martini and snacks (11:42). Camera zooms into guests: couple (Doug and Helen) sitting on large armchair, narrator details their story (12:08). Scene: Helen and her father sit on front porch while drinking tea, Doug stands over the two while holding tea cup and saucer in hand (12:25). Camera focuses on guest (Claudia) standing in corner with her drink beside Frank and another guest leaning on fireplace (13:20). Scene: Claudia ushers young son dressed in suit to living room to show her husband, husband sits on couch reading newspaper with dress shirt sleeves rolled up and tie slightly undone (14:07). Back to cocktail party: Julie and Debbie speak in private, floral sculptural decals adorn the walls (16:39). Jerry walks into the party, enthusiastically greets everyone, makes himself a drink at the bar (17:20). Julie confronts Jerry about his drinking (18:25). Portraits of faces of all the guests at the cocktail party while sitting in Frank and Debbie’s living room (20:23). Closing credits: list of other films in the series (21:43).
