Esentily it shows a group of friends having a dinner party, however what should be a lesson in basic table manners is turned into an expierience in Paranoia by the one uninvited guest, the Narator. This is one of those "must see" films at Prelinger as it is one of the wierder films here. The moral of the story seems to be never assume - and wait until you are married to have a dinner party.
The other guests seem to just skulk about, probably as embarassed as everyone else. I'd like to report that violence errupted during the salad course (which comes after the Entree - very Euro of Bob and Betty) but they hold their own, even though Bob starts getting a little out of hand (maybe there WAS liquor served after all!)Īfter the meal is done, and the birthday cake served, Bob and Betty's relationship is a burning hulk on the shore of love, while the oblivious guests Bernie and Helen (ethnic types, if I ever saw one - and I seen plenty) prattle on and even help themselves to more jelly. He already proved himself to be something of a clod during the relish and soup service, and makes a mess of this as well. The Entree service is fraught with peril as "Bob" must serve the meat. Thank God there was no wine served with this meal! By the time the relish tray is passed (after the soup and before the main course) Betty is a mess. The narrator, perhaps having just ingested one of those meals himself, does his best to keep the pace dreary and mundane. Bound by convention, she chooses one of those "Salted Nuts and Olives" sorts of menus that leaves everyone feeling heavy and dull.
Nothing quite like trying to eat a meal where Johnny talks with his mouth full of food and Susie couldn’t care less about the people she’s disgusting with her gross eating habits!įor those who have no desire to be a part of gracious society: indulge your meanest whims! It’s all about you!īetty, despite a vicious housekeeper reminicent of Miss Danvers in "Rebecca", attempts to throw a birthday dinner with her boyfriend Bob (get your mind out of the gutter - Bob is a visitor to the home, and Mrs Danvers is there to Chaperone).
Of course in today’s “Anything Goes” society it is perfectly acceptable to eat like a farm animal and make whatever choices you wish because it’s all about “me” and no regard for others.
Stuffy and pretentious? or maybe just considerate of others and focused on doing and being your best in society. No worry about hubby missing out on a promotion because he had the table manners of a family pet or wife losing out on the coveted chair of the garden club because she acted like a fool at the table. The purpose of this film was to help teenagers learn the conventional etiquette of the time so that when they married and entertained their friends and business acquaintances they wouldn’t appear boorish and uncivilized.Įveryone played by the same rules and once you learned them you were confident and comfortable in any social situation and faced a leveled playing field.