Atomic TV #28: The “Mental Hygiene” Episode (archive.org)
Atomic TV interviews author Ken Smith about his book MENTAL HYGIENE: BETTER LIVING THROUGH CLASSROOM FILMS 1945-1970
A wacky but authentic history of educational films on sex education, hygiene, and drugs! Between 1945 and 1970, millions of public school students were subjected to hundreds of films designed to keep them on the straight and narrow. These cultural gems “enlightened” the nation’s youth about proper dating, good table manners, the evils of dope, and what happens to teens who drive too fast on prom night. Author Ken Smith embarked on an exhaustive nine-year search for these obscure educational films. The result is this fascinating stroll down memory lane. Smith has garnered titles such as Worth Waiting For, Posture Pals, Last Date, Highways of Agony, and Soapy the Germ Fighter. Included are interviews with writers and directors, detailed descriptions of these unintentionally hilarious films, and commentary on the social engineering behind them.
https://www.blastbooks.com/book/mental-hygiene/
Many films featured in Mental Hygiene can be seen in the Prelinger Archives at the Internet Archive.