A dynamic mechanical study of thin polyethylene films has highlighted the changes which occur in morphology via the processing conditions. Comparison of dynamic mechanical spectroscopy (DMS) and differential scanning calorimetry techniques emphasizes the power of DMS to highlight the differences in morphology in thin films based on the same polymer system but with varying processing parameters. Further, the capability of obtaining the dynamic mechanical spectra for films as thin as 15 microns allows study of systems prepared using commercial film-forming processes. © 1990.