Sid Davis Productions presents “Vandalism,” a 1953 social guidance / educational film that focuses on the travails of three groups of juvenile delinquents and their brushes with the law in Inglewood, California. The “pranks” pulled by the teenagers featured in the film range from throwing a scarecrow in front of a moving vehicle, stealing merchandise from a shop, spiking the punch bowl at a party, and “borrowing” a stranger’s car. The narrator intones that although these teenagers may often view such actions as lighthearted and fun, they will all inevitably lead to jail time and a police record.
(0:08) opening titles: Sid Davis Productions present “Vandalism”
(0:15) on-screen text: “Subject Suggested by Capt. Henry H. Jensen, Rochester, N.Y. Police Dept., Grad. F.B.I. National Police Acad., Dir. Police Athletic League”
(0:21) on-screen text: “This picture was produced with the counsel and assistance of the Police Department, City of Inglewood. Actors appear as a public service. We acknowledge the cooperation of the 13-20 Youth Club of Inglewood.”
(0:30) A group of four boys gather around a prone figure on the ground. The figure is revealed to be a scarecrow which they proceed to throw in front of a moving car as a practical joke.
(1:04) The car crashes at the corner of Olive Street and the boys run away.
(1:17) The boys are locked away in a jail cell.
(1:31) on-screen text: “If You’ve Been Arrested – You’re A Delinquent!”
(1:58) A girl distracts a shopkeeper while two boys steal knives. The shopkeeper alerts a policeman who finds the juvenile thieves and takes them to jail.
(3:28) A policeman files through a drawer of juvenile arrest records.
(3:48) Two newspaper headlines read “The Truth About Teen-agers” and “Teen-age Boys Held in Series of Robberies.” The voiceover explains that according to the FBI, 15% of all arrests in the US are of boys and girls under 21.
(4:04) Exteriors and interiors, and people working within the juvenile police department
(5:02) Two girls invite two boys, Ben and Dave, to a Halloween party.
(5:32) At the Halloween party, Ben and Dave take off their masks and embark on a series of “pranks.” They pour alcohol into the punch, let air out of the tires of cars parked outside, and steal a car.
(7:13) Ben and Dave drive the stolen/“borrowed” car into a drive-in fast food stand. When they drop their trash onto the ground and drive away, the carhop takes their license plate number.
(7:52) A police patrol car spots Ben and Dave after the owner has reported the car as stolen. A police chase ensues, ending with the arrest of the boys.
(9:23) Newspaper headline: “Youths Steal Car For ‘Gag’; Jailed”
(9:32) Montage of all the juvenile delinquents featured throughout the film.
Sid Davis was a prolific director of social guidance films. His most famous works are “Boys Beware”, which warns boys of the perceived dangers of male homosexuals and predatory pedophiles, “The Dangerous Stranger” and “Live and Learn”.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
