Are You a Good Citizen? 1949
In the post-war year 1949, Ted Peshak's short documentary Are You a Good Citizen? captures a small-town civic awakening through the eyes of neighborhood kids who suddenly find their playground fenced off by the city.
Director: Ted Peshak
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Are You a Good Citizen? (1949) about?
The film follows a group of neighborhood children who discover their favorite baseball lot has been closed off by the city. Using their neighbor's guidance, they navigate local government channels to reopen the space and win a compromise everyone can accept.
Who directed Are You a Good Citizen??
Ted Peshak directed the film, bringing a clear, classroom-friendly style to the everyday drama of civic participation.
Who stars in Are You a Good Citizen??
Cast information for the short is not listed, but the story revolves around neighborhood children and a helpful neighbor who guides them through the bureaucratic process.
Is Are You a Good Citizen? (1949) worth watching?
As a concise snapshot of mid-century civic education, it offers gentle relevance today. The film's unrated status and eleven-minute runtime make it a quick, thought-provoking watch for students of social guidance cinema and local governance history.
How long is Are You a Good Citizen??
The film runs 11 minutes.
About Are You a Good Citizen? (1949) — Eleven-Minute 1949 Doc Celebrates Civic Action
In the post-war year 1949, Ted Peshak's short documentary Are You a Good Citizen? captures a small-town civic awakening through the eyes of neighborhood kids who suddenly find their playground fenced off by the city. Frustrated but not defeated, the youngsters learn that the path to reclaiming their space runs straight through the local government's red tape. With equal doses of humor and civic pride, the film gently critiques bureaucracy while celebrating the power of persistence. Shot in crisp black-and-white, it wraps a tight 11-minute lesson in civic engagement inside a story that feels both nostalgic and timeless.
Peshak's straightforward approach turns a mundane zoning dispute into a miniature drama of community problem-solving. The film's low-key drama and earnest tone invite viewers to reflect on how ordinary citizens can—and should—participate in the decisions that shape their daily lives, all while keeping the mood light enough for a classroom or living-room screening. Whether you're studying mid-century social guidance cinema or just curious about the roots of today's civic activism, this eleven-minute reel delivers a surprisingly fresh take on grassroots democracy.