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An American commentator looks at the effects of rationing on the people of England. Her survey uses a 'typical' family of 4 (housewife, engine-driver husband, factory-working daughter, schoolboy son) to present an idea of actual quantities involved in basic rationing, the workings of 'point' systems and other restrictions, and the difficulties of life resulting from rationing. Each member of the family highlights a different problem: the mother food, the daughter clothing, the son sweets, the father general difficulties (high purchase tax on luxuries, non-availability of particular sizes or favourite products etc). The commentary also makes generalised remarks: rationing has caused a "social revolution", has "put the dollar-a-day man on an eating level with the dollar-a-year man"; "basic rations don't amount to much, but they are sure of getting them every week." This film was produced for overseas distribution only, and provides a good introduction to this subject by explaining exactly how rationing operated for an ordinary British family, although the pairing of Mr Green, 'engine driver dad', with Mrs Green, 'middle class mum', is a little unusual. IWM Film and Video Archive Loans Catalogue (2000)
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Complete film (10:20)
