movies_creation
American Movie Archives (美國電影檔案)
- Title
- Outsider, The
- Year
- 1951
- Abstract
- The tale of "Susan Jane," the perennial outcast.
- Notes
-
Produced: Centron Productions
Sponsor: N/A
Run Time: 11:33
Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W - Keyword
- Social guidance;Psychology;Gender roles;Psychology;Gender roles
- Theme
- The Outsider Shy Susan Jane feels "different" from everybody else and like she doesn't fit in with the kids at her school. She overhears plans about a big party at Marcie's house, but since the kids never think of her, she is not included in the plans. Then she overhears two girls talking about somebody they would never, ever want to invite to their party, because she's "such a creep." Susan Jane immediately assumes they're talking about her, and runs home in tears. It turns out, though, that they were talking about a snooty teacher, and Marcie actually wants to invite Susan Jane to the party, because she's curious about her. When she calls up and invites Susan Jane, Susan Jane abruptly hangs up on her, assuming that the gang just wants her to come over so they can make fun of her. Fortunately, Marcie is persistent. She comes over to Susan Jane's house and clears up the misunderstanding with her. Susan Jane decides to go to the party after all, realizing that this is her Big Chance to Fit In. This film is actually quite touching, with its twangy-voiced amateur teenage actors. It covers much of the same ground as Habit Patterns, but in a much nicer and more psychologically accurate way. The film, and especially the discussion questions at the end, implies that both Susan Jane and the other kids need to change in order to resolve this situation?Susan Jane needs to become friendlier and more pleasant to be with, and the gang needs to think of her and give her a chance. What a refreshing change from most social guidance films, which usually assume that it's all the individual's fault.
- Review
-
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ***. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: ****. Also available on The Educational Archives, Vol. 2: Social Engineering 101.
(Reviewer: Christine Hennig) - Location
- A/V room, 2/F