A Camerart Picture produced by John F. Criswell, this film likely titled “Why Study Mathematics?” is a 1950s-era color educational film seeking to illustrate to school-aged children the importance of their studies. Specifically, the film seeks to exemplify the importance of understanding simple math and value and how it applies to everyday scenarios. The film achieves this by following school-aged boy Roger and highlighting the various instances throughout his day when he must use math. While not much information exists on John F. Criswell or Camerart Picture, he made many short films across the 1950s and 1960s for young children that discussed the importance of studying certain subjects and learning life skills including Manners at School (1956), Let’s Be Good Citizens at Play (1953) and Let’s Be Good Citizens When Visiting (1954).
Film opens, opening credits (0:06). Wall clock that looks like artist’s pallet with paints and paint brushes; School boy, Roger, comes into frame and hurriedly packs up books as school bus honks outside (0:15). POV interior of bus, view of wheel and dashboard, driver honks horn once more (0:24). Speed limit road sign (1:10). Interior of bus, school-aged kids fill rows of school bus, look out window as bus drives towards school (1:19). 1958 International R-185 with Carpenter body turns bend and pulls in front of school entrance (1:24). Lunch lady serves food onto trays of students in cafeteria; Roger and friend pay for their respective lunches at register using 50 cent coin but Roger short some change (1:51). Roger and some friends seen hammering, sawing pieces of wood to build clubhouse in his backyard; Boys realize mistake in measurement of one of the pieces of wood is wrong (3:36). Roger walks down town main street, sees pristine new bike for sale in shop window, two payment options one upfront and one monthly payment (5:08). Using paper slips as money, Roger’s dad gives him lesson at dining room table on determining best value (5:58). After school Roger and friends buy soda from local corner store, sit and talk on nearby picnic tables comparing who got the most to drink for the same price (6:37). Montage everyday uses of mathematics: Counting days on calendar, minutes on clock, selling papers, keeping score at ball game, cooking (8:09). Narrator closing words; Roger seen exiting store with new bike, determining what to buy at store, putting final touches on clubhouse (8:39). Closing credits (9:16). Film ends (9:20).
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