Ever since Theodore Case figured out how to put sound on film and make the accompanying equipment small enough to transport around, news cameramen have been standing on lonely street corners accosting random people passing by for a handout of their opinions. Yep, feel free to blame Ted Case for your woes…

Fox Movietone called MOS interviews “the inquiring photographer” on screen. Some of the questions asked of the public back in the 30s and 40s for a few feet of film ranged from the serious to the absurd:

• Should there be a sales tax in this country?
• Should voting age be lowered to eighteen?
• How do you feel about Italy surrendering to Allies?
• Do you believe in 4th term for President?
• Should women pick up the check on dates?

And then there is this one Johnny Tondra and Chic Peden did back in 1930:

• Your opinions on women’s skirt lengths

Man on the street interviews…another one of those hand-me-down practices from the newsreel era.