A Day of Thanksgiving (1951) User Reviews

Old fashioned but it's basic message of being thankful should never go out of date!

[somebodeez · 5/10 · 21 November 2005]

The family cannot afford to have a turkey for Thanksgiving but they learn that they have many other things to be thankful for. This short video shows a 1950's version of a typical family. (for example, Mother is in a full apron and at home with the children)

Try to bring yourself past the old expressions that they use (Well golly gee!). Try to bring yourself over what by today standards may be politically offensive to some (praying for example) and grasp the basic message of appreciating what we do have, which should never be out of date. You might not necessarily be thankful for the things that the family in the video are thankful for but I'm sure there must be something. :)

More Than A Turkey

[boblipton · 5/10 · 28 January 2024]

Money is tight around the Johnson family, and the price of a turkey is up this year. There will be plenty of side dishes, but no big bird with stuffing. The children are upset by this. What is Thanksgiving without turkey? Then they all think about their freedoms and privileges, and are thankful for those.

There's a tendency to confuse the details of a holiday with its purpose, to think that Christmas is about getting gifts, or the Fourth of July about fireworks. We get so trapped in the symbols, that we mistake them for what they represent, as if hugging the flag made you a good American. An occasional pious little reminder like this is a good thing.

By the way, does anyone think that the big Eagle in the credits for this movie has an eye shaped like a sickle? Are they a bunch of commies?

American Propaganda Film

[hershiser2 · 2/10 · 10 January 2004]

Classic educational film about a family that can't afford to have Turkey, and how a family learns to accept that and appreciate what they have. As with the early educational films, this one's cheesy and pretty pointless, and of course reminds the little children watching that the United States is a wonderful country, and that we should be thankful for living in this country (it's basically just a propaganda film).

Lots of use of words such as "gee," and "golly."

Life in the USA, circa 1951

[katell-01771 · 10/10 · 4 November 2016]

Though others have deemed this film "hokey" I want to note that it really was this way back in the mid twentieth century. We didn't have so much that decisions were hard. We really had "just enough", which made us so much more grateful for it. I came from a large family of 7 kids, receiving just 2 presents at Christmas, which I treasured. The doll I received for Christmas at age 6 and the clothes my mother made for her for Christmas the next year were my most prized possessions. I gave them to my own daughter 20 years later, in near perfect condition. There were thanksgivings we didn't have a turkey either. But we were thankful, loved our family and had faith that God would always provide for us and He did. This film really puts life into perspective. I hope our younger generations will watch it and talk to their elders about the content.

Nice movie, but probably missed its goal

[johnsone-5 · 7/10 · 11 March 2018]

I remember seeing this movie in grade school the 1950's. In our discussion afterward, the consensus among us kids was that we should not feel bad if we had roast beef for Thanksgiving instead of turkey. It would probably have been better to show what a turkeyless dinner consisted of.

It's interesting that this was made in 1951. It seems more appropriate for 1942-46 when there was food rationing in America during WWII.

A Day Of Thanksgiving is a must see for the ME Generation of today

[climbingivy · 10/10 · 14 December 2014]

"A Day Of Thanksgiving" is a must see for the ME generation of the Year Of Our Lord 2014.How many of you who are reading this review have said to yourselves "oh woe is me",I do not have a good life at all". "I have nothing to be thankful for". We all have done that at one time or another.The trick to this malady of human beings is to check yourself.I like to do that when I am feeling sorry for myself."A Day Of Thanksgiving" is a tender portrait of America at her zenith when the American population had values and thought of the family and God as assets,not problems as we do today.Imagine that, a family making a list of what is actually important in the great big scheme of things.Imagine a father who loves his family and goes to work to provide for them.Imagine children who love their parents and show them respect.Imagine a mother who is satisfied with the role of motherhood, and as a loving wife and caretaker of her family.Imagine that!I saw "A Day Of Thanksgiving" many years ago for the first time on the Roku streaming channel PUB D Hub.Needless to say I was delighted with this wonderful piece of American Pie.I am now 57 years old and I am weary of the modern age age, and all that it has to offer.No cursing God,no brooding, surly children, and a mother and father to be proud of.A family that prays and attends church.If you want to take a 12 minute reprieve from 2014,then this is for you.I love this little gem.

Classic

[michle53 · 10/10 · 31 May 2021]

This is a classic short starring the great Dan Palmquist, who also edited many of Herk Harvey's educational films, and acted in Carnival of Souls. The film champions a kind of patriotism that has gone out of popular favor, as well as a 1950s midwestern United States sensibility that is similarly unpopular. Worth a watch.