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Comedy Cult Classic

Sex education meets small-town satire as prudish parents wage war on biology class.

GUESS WHAT WE LEARNED IN SCHOOL TODAY?

The Great American Obsession Gets Laid to Rest

1971 · 1h 36m · R · Comedy · IMDB TMDB

A conservative community does not think that the sex drive is normal for their children.

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Quick Answer

What is Guess What We Learned in School Today? about?

Guess What We Learned in School Today? is a 1971 American comedy directed by John G. Avildsen about a conservative community where parents believe sex education is a communist plot.

Programmer's Pick

Before John G. Avildsen helmed underdog classics, he was lampooning American puritanism with sharp wit and a towel or two. This film isn’t afraid to poke at small-town hypocrisy—led by a pair of leaders who can’t live up to their own standards.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In Guess What We Learned in School Today?, a group of parents in a small, conservative American town refuse to accept that sexuality is a natural part of growing up. Their opposition to sex education is so fervent that they denounce the curriculum as a subversive, communist influence. The campaign is led, rather ironically, by an impotent alcoholic and a gay policeman, highlighting the hypocrisies and contradictions of the town’s moral gatekeepers. As the community’s prudery runs up against the realities of teenage curiosity, the film skewers both the self-righteousness and the comic absurdity of American puritanism. Expect a satire that gleefully exposes the lengths to which some will go to avoid an honest conversation.

Details & Specs

Director
John G. Avildsen
Writers
John G. Avildsen, Eugene Price
Release
1971
Runtime
1h 36m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Comedy

Why This Matters

Shot before John G. Avildsen's breakout film Joe but released afterward due to that film's success, this early work also premiered at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival, marking a notable point in Avildsen's directorial career.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: John G. Avildsen Writers: John G. Avildsen +1 more
DC Dick Carballo Lt. Roger Manley DG Devin Goldenberg Robbie Battle JM Jane McLeod Rita Battle YM Yvonne McCall Dr. Lilly Whitehorn RO Rosella Olsen Eve Manley Iris Brooks Iris Brooks Lulu GP Gene Price Marine Captain

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Why Cult

Satirical Sex Education

The film skewers the prudery of a town that thinks sex ed is a communist conspiracy, serving up sharp social commentary.

Hypocritical Leadership

The crusade against sex ed is led by an impotent alcoholic and a gay policeman, giving the satire some biting irony.

Cheeky Comedic Moments

Expect towel mishaps, voyeuristic gags, and a parade of sex comedy set-pieces, all in the spirit of irreverence.

Early Avildsen Comedy

See the directorial style of John G. Avildsen before he became a household name for his later, more famous films.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Guess What We Learned in School Today? released? +

Guess What We Learned in School Today? was released in 1971.

Who directed Guess What We Learned in School Today?? +

Guess What We Learned in School Today? was directed by John G. Avildsen.

How long is Guess What We Learned in School Today?? +

Guess What We Learned in School Today? has a runtime of 96 minutes.

What genre is Guess What We Learned in School Today?? +

Guess What We Learned in School Today? is a comedy.

Where can I watch Guess What We Learned in School Today?? +

You can watch Guess What We Learned in School Today? on SassyFlix.

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