This paper discusses the properties of the surface layers of a number of flexible-chain and mesogenic polymers. Two types of orientational ordering of the segments of the molecular chains relative to the film surface are detected: predominantly parallel and predominantly perpendicular. It is shown that the thicknesses of the optically anisotropic layers attain macroscopic values (about 0.6 mm). The formation and spontaneous increase of orientational ordering in the surface layers during heat treatment are detected.