Summary

Moment of Decision!

Source Archive Films by Getty Images
Title: Moment of Decision!
File Number: PA-3587 Beta SP; PA-0739 Digibeta
Color: B W
Type: Educational
Year: ca. 1960
Subjects: Automobiles Auto theft Cars Teenagers Juvenile delinquency California Suburbia Suburban towns
Description: Moment of Decision! "Produced with the cooperation of the Inglewood Police Department and the Inglewood Unified School District." Tells the story of four boys who are faced with a decision--whether or not to steal a car and take a joy ride. Shows that even though a boy's decision may be colored by his background, the responsibility is his. Ken Smith remarks: Teen pseudo-hoods Robert, John, Paul, and Bill come across a 1960 Pontiac Catalina convertible with its keys in the ignition each has to make a decision whether or not to take a joy ride. John looks like a young Mario Cuomo, and his mom is played by the same woman who played the cop in Girls Beware. "You may yet learn to make wise decisions before it's too late." Paul is the only one who heeds Sid's advice. If real teenagers agonized over decisions as long as Robert, John, Paul, and Bill, no car would ever be stolen. 02:47:19:22 CU of the corner of a red house, with young man in the doorway Camera pans four young men going out of the house in a line and they proceed to walk in the street CU faces, talking and laughing : one has a toothpick in his mouth and picks his teeth with it, another has acne LS they walk by a convertible, stop, approach and touch it MCU of them looking inside the car CU key in ignition MCU four men leaning on car while inspecting it, then look around to see if anyone is there Camera pans their faces individually CU key MCU of two of the young men, one of them is biting his lips 02:49:26:05 CU of one boy's face, there is a grey sofa in the background, he is wearing a checked shirt MLS parents standing in front of him, staring at him from above Mother is wearing a long black dress and has a forties haircut, father is wearing a white shirt The boy stands up and nods his head 02:49:46:20 CU sign : police station Camera pans down to the entrance, boy is walking out with an older man in a dark suit and tie, towards white car 02:50:10:01 MCU counter of liquor store, shelves in the background full of bottles, very old man behind the counter picking up coins from counter, young man in front of him, catching his attention Camera pulls back to frame another boy stealing a bottle of wine (by putting it under his white jacket) MCU two boys leave the shop 02:50:37:24 CU boy's face Camera pans to the four faces in front of the car, stops at the fourth face CU of his face, he bites his lips 02:51:21:10 MLS of a boy's room (shelves with books on it), the boy's back in the foreground, and the father talking while gesticulating in background Father scolding, then leaves and shuts door Boy runs his hand through his hair, shaken up 02:51:37:05 Boy sitting behind a desk with model airplanes, in the background there is an adult size bed with baby in white sheets The boy stands up to straighten the baby's sheets CU baby's head on shoulder of mother MCU camera pans around mother, who has red curly hair and pearl necklace, she holds baby in her arms with big smile Boy is standing next to her with crossed arms, silent and angry Father in black suit holds airplane in his hand and talks angrily CU father "yelling", threatens the child with airplane in his hand CU boy's head 02:52:23:22 Camera pans from head of fourth boy to head of second one CU head of boy with acne 02:52:41:12 CU LS living room, boy sitting on floor with legs crossed in front of him, sports socks, khaki pants (khakis) Living room is decorated simply with brown colors (wood) Boy puts a music album back into sheath LS camera pans up to door and father, undoing his tie, walks in and sits on a strong blue sofa, then picks up newspaper CU boy stands up and sits next to his father on the sofa's arm MCU boy carefully asks his father for some money 02:53:14:23 LS "fifties touring car" in front of sporting goods store (sign : SPORTING GOODS - camping, athletic, guns, fishing) Father and son walk into store MCU manager and father talking seriously, background full of items CU boy's face, thankful look and in the background are fishing rods LS fishing spot, water in foreground, two men fishing, trees in background 02:53:48:08 CU boy's face Camera pans to other faces and boy looks to the right and left at the other two boys MCU four boys leaning on car, the boy with pimples shakes his head no CU of boy with toothpick looks at him with disgust MCU four boys, two of them standing up and looking at the boy with disgust, hands in their pockets and smiling MCU three boys seen from behind, other boy leaves MCU three boys facing camera, cu of the one in the middle 02:54:29:28 LS light blue house and boy stepping out of the front door, two friends waiting for him The door of the house reopens and mother with white apron over a black dress appears CU mother's head, very strong red lipstick and big black necklace MCU boys leave and walk through a room with an indoor pool (plants...) 02:54:50:27 MCU boy in front of car kneels to steal the hubcap (puts it under his arm) Two boys in the background, leaning on a white wall LS three boys leave together 02:54:59:09 CU boy's face, camera pans away to frame the three boys, they jump into car and leave LS road, camera follows convertible with three boys in it, police car in background CU two policemen in car ready to start it LS camera follows police car LS runaway car followed by police car on a curvy road, another car appears in the foreground and blocks the way LS boys get out of the runaway car and try to escape, get caught by policemen and lift their arms Background is suburban houses CU policeman's head, background only sky, he has a harsh look MLS three boys leaning on the car, arms behind their backs, policeman handcuffs them MLS policemen placing arrested boys inside the car LS police car seen from behind driving away 02:57:09:23 The end
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