Watch Keep It Clean - Vintage Hygiene Films

Keep It Clean - Vintage Hygiene Films is a fascinating collection of short films from the past, all focused on personal hygiene and cleanliness. The films, which span several decades, offer an intriguing glimpse into societies and cultures of yesteryear, as well as their attitudes towards health and hygiene. The collection includes films from the 1920s, when the germ theory was just taking root, all the way up until the 1960s, when modern medicine and hygiene practices had become more widespread. Each film provides a unique perspective on what was considered important for maintaining good health and hygiene at the time, and the messaging varies greatly in tone and style.

One of the earliest films in the collection is from the 1920s, and it focuses on the importance of washing your hands. The film uses a comical approach to drive home its message, with a cartoonish figure of a man appearing on screen, surrounded by germs. The man proceeds to wash his hands with soap and water, causing the germs to scatter and disappear. While the approach may seem antiquated now, the message is still relevant - washing your hands is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from illness.

As the films progress through the years, the tone becomes more serious and the messaging more technical. A film from the 1940s, for example, discusses the science of germs and bacteria, explaining how they can spread and make people sick. Viewers are encouraged to keep their homes clean and to wash their hands regularly, but the message is delivered in a way that is meant to educate and inform, rather than entertain.

Another notable film in the collection is from the 1950s, and it focuses on the importance of dental hygiene. The film follows a young boy named Timmy, who is warned by his dentist about the dangers of not brushing his teeth properly. The film uses a mixture of live-action and animation to demonstrate the proper way to brush your teeth, and it offers helpful tips for maintaining good oral hygiene. While it may seem somewhat simplistic now, the film was groundbreaking at the time, as it represented a shift in attitude towards dental health and hygiene.

Throughout the collection, viewers will also encounter films that are unintentionally humorous, due to the dated language and attitudes they reflect. A film from the 1960s, for example, features a narrator who refers to women as "little ladies" and encourages them to use "feminine hygiene products" to stay clean and confident. While the film is undoubtedly sexist and condescending by today's standards, it's still worth watching as a historical artifact, as it offers insight into the prevailing attitudes of the time.

Overall, Keep It Clean - Vintage Hygiene Films is a fascinating and thought-provoking collection of short films. Whether you're interested in history, medicine, or just curious about how people in the past stayed healthy and clean, this collection is sure to provide plenty of food for thought. The films may be old, but the lessons they offer are timeless - taking care of yourself and those around you is always important, no matter what era you live in.

Keep It Clean - Vintage Hygiene Films is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes.