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The People at No. 19

Movie
Audience Score
45
The People at No. 19
NR 18 minDramaThe Joy of Sex Education PosterPart of The Joy of Sex Education
Reported cases of sexually transmitted disease took a sharp rise during and after World War II, but as this film testifies, sexual license amongst soldiers on the frontline wasn't the sole cause. Back on the home front, for many women, like Joan from No. 19, loneliness or newfound independence acted as an incentive to extramarital promiscuity.
StarringDesmond CarringtonMargery FleesonTilsa Page
DirectorJ.B. Holmes
WriterJohn Rowden

Movie Details

Original Language:English
Production Companies:COI, Central Council For Health Education, Crown Film Unit, Ministry of Health
Movie Tags:
familymarriageradiosex educationsexually transmitted disease

The Joy of Sex Education

A survey of sex education through the ages. Many of the early films highlight Britain's horror at the very thought of sex and sexuality. Euphemisms abound and, if you can get away with making your point with the aid of a few birds or rabbits, why not? Even some mildly amorous pollen gets in on the act as a stand-in for something otherwise far too unpleasant to show. At least it saved the teachers' blushes. Despite the often unintentional humour, the films provide a vivid snapshot of the nation's concerns and anxieties across the decades. Not only did they teach us to keep our trousers firmly zipped, but also managed to underline the establishment's attitude towards women. Loose of morals and self-control, women are invariably portrayed as the spreaders of disease and responsible for just about every 'misfortune' that comes their way.