Sex Hygiene (1942)

Several servicemen relax by playing pool, but one of them goes off to spend time with a prostitute. Later, he discovers he has contracted a venereal disease. A graphic and frank presentation of the types and treatment of venereal disease follows.

Every GI who has ever seen this never forgets it. Even though it was made in 1941, it was shown to new soldiers on a regular basis for at least 25 years, and I know of one ex-GI who saw it when he enlisted in 1970. It could well be showing now, for all I know. The film is interesting because it is far better produced and acted than virtually any other training film ever made. It was directed by John Ford, produced by Darryl Zanuck, and featured professional Hollywood actors of the caliber of Robert Lowery and George Reeves. If that wasn't enough to set it apart from the run-of-the-mill training film, then the footage of diseased faces, lips and other body parts was. Even more horrifying than that, though (for a newly enlisted 18- or 19-year-old, at least) was the footage of what someone who was suspected of having syphilis (which, by 1941 morality, meant anyone who had sexual contact of any kind) had to go through. Soldiers were required to report any sexual contact they may have had, and had to be examined by a doctor and given preventive "treatment" (which involved a procedure too graphic and, frankly, nauseating to describe here). The film served its purpose, temporarily at least--if Hedy Lamar and Betty Grable had shown up naked outside the theater after this film was shown, no soldier would have gone within 50 feet of them. Of course, that would have lasted for all of 10 minutes.

ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING FILM EVERS MADE ON THE SUBJECT OF VD:



SEX HYGIENE
JOHN FORD  (1942)
26 MIN
USA
DOWNLOAD / MPEG2 / 982 MB