I'd like to know a bit more on the concept of the knee test, who first came up with the idea? Where was it first tried? What this done in public or in front of aspeech committee? How many people who took seriously of this short had actually tried the knee test, and finally how long was the fad around. I imagine many people saw this since it was made by Centron and Centron seems to have made about 3.5 million short films (was Carnival of Souls a Centron Production?)I was also impressed with Herk Harvey's combing hair and tie tying abilities, pure genius. But the big question remains, How good a speaker was Mr. Harvey? Since he no longer lingers on this planet we must find out from others who are still alive and have been graced with the presence of Mr. Harvey. Surely some survivors of the Centron years must still be alive and maybe not have Altzheimers. These are things that must be answered!!!! BTW: The short was still quite goofy!!

I like instructional shorts, generally. Sure, they often seem pretty goofy, but they did serve a purpose, and were generally progressive, despite their occasional tendency to encourage conformity, particularly to roles of gender and social class. But this one!Is it really so important to maintain balance and good posture that it is necessary to compromise your dignity by placing your palms on your knees and swinging your can around in a circular motion? Besides, I actually tried making the Knee Test (strictly in the spirit of investigation, and in the privacy of my own home), and I honestly can't figure out what I was supposed to learn from it.Sorry, but I'm just not buying this one.

I'll agree with icehole that this film is pretty bad, mostly thanks to the acting and the weird drawings used from time to time. It just shows how low-budget Centron was back in their early years of 1947-50. I think Herk Harvey's portrayal of a good speechmaker was enjoyable, showing how he combs his hair, shines his shoes and ties and ties. It's kind of funny that this man thirteen years later would direct "Carnival of Souls" and appear as the ghoul with complete make-up in the movie. Somehow I didn't find this film hard to sit through, but that narrator really bugs you.

For a film about how to improve your speaking ability, this one really doesn't take much of its advice. Bad acting, bad animation and a bad narrator are among the things that shoot this turkey down. Rightfully hacked to pieces by Mystery Science Theater 3000 in one of the better jobs Mike and the bots do on a short.