“Hell Flower ” is a black-and-white PSA-style documentary film discussing narcotics addiction, primarily heroin abuse, in the United States, especially big cities like New York City and Los Angeles. Hosted and narrated by Emmy Award-winning television journalist and commentator, Bill Stout, this film features a compilation of interviews and scenes taken from the field of those in proximity to the issue from police officers to medial professionals as well as addicts in recovery at Synanon chapters or NA meetings. Sponsored by the United States Steel Corporation and likely dating to the late 1950s, this film, which has been split into two parts, offers the viewer an intimate view into the addiction epidemic and discourses around treatment and punishment in the United States at the time.
Bill Stout interviews UCLA Sociologist Dr. Walter Bayley “punitive and criminal approach is a failure,” exterior of Royce Hall, UCLA (0:08). Bill Stout interviews George White, Western Chief Federal Bureau of Narcotics, on law enforcement’s opposition to “clinical approach to addiction,” from tarmac of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX); Air stars with Pan Am logo in background (1:32). How heroin enters the U.S.; Customs agent shown in a routine airport check, drugs come from China, Hong Kong, Italy (2:42). Cars line up at United States – Mexico border crossing, other drugs coming from Mexico (3:06). Bill Stout discusses prevalence of addiction among medical professionals, introduces next subject (3:27). Bill Stout sits with nurse in her living room, pair discuss her battle with addiction to Benzedrine, Morphine etc. (3:49-5:46). Bill Stout discusses issue of relapse, interview with Dr. Victor Vogel, former head of Lexington Narcotics Hospital, on upper deck of perhaps Matson Lines SS Mariposa (5:48-7:53). Bill Stout talks about local community programs to cure addiction; Footage of recovering addicts inside communal living room of Synanon in Santa Monica, other shots of dorms, shared kitchen, painted murals (7:55). Bill Stout interviews recovering addict on what sets Synanon apart (9:25). Bill Stout interviews Jessie Pratt, member of Synanon’s board of directors, discuss his personal experience with addiction/ recovery (11:14). Bill Stout talks to camera about Narcotics Anonymous (NA); NA meeting of chapter in San Fernando Valley, footage slightly obscured to protect identities of meeting participants as they share personal experiences (12:33-21:35). Bill Stout examines statistics of drug use in the US, ponders why rates are so high compared to Europe when the country has the strictest laws, what drives people to become addicts, who should be considered a criminal (21:36). Return to opening footage of part 1 of film, man experiencing withdrawal symptoms tosses and turns in bed in jail cell; Detective enters cell and asks addict why they turned to drugs (23:30-26:35). Time has passed, another shot of man in cell experiencing withdrawal, however symptoms have become more severe, mental anguish, tossing and turning on cell floor and writhing in pain (26:41). Footage continues, Bill Stout’s voice comes in reciting John Milton “On Satan’s Reign in Hell” (28:50). Image of poppy flower, dramatic drumming music, closing credits (29:19). Sponsor message (30:15).
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