The Mask (Louisiana Association for Mental Health, 1965)

This training film is intended to make police officers aware that alcohol can disguise or mask serious physical and mental illnesses. Produced in concert with the Cleveland Police Department, it is one of a series of films that offer a view of police officers as instruments for social service rather than just law enforcers seeking to arrest and punish. The films were intended for use during group discussions in which police officers could share their experiences with one another and with staff from hospitals in their communities. Written material supplemented the films during these discussions, which encouraged the participants to cite their own experiences. Instead of just blaming the police and making them feel guilty, this dialogue created some understanding. This is one of four films produced through the Louisiana Association for Mental Health in collaboration with its executive director, Dr. Loyd Rowland (1902-1981). The series was co-sponsored by International Association of Chiefs of Police, with support from the National Institute for Mental Health. A fifth film in the series involved the New York Police Department. George C. Stoney, producer of the projects, recalls, “I think they had a real effect on the medical professionals and the police. These group screenings brought them together and helped them recognize their common problems.” Considered suitable for teaching courses in law and society because they serve as an historical artifact that realistically portrays the dynamics of US police practices in the mid-20th century.

Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101769438

Learn more about the National Library of Medicine’s historical audiovisuals program at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films

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