Boys Beware (3rd Edition) (1980, sound)

Description: Content warning: This film addresses the subject of harm and abuse from a perspective influenced by the time period of the late 1970s and early 1980s when certain high-profile child abduction cases created a climate of fear mongering and a characterization of adult men as potential sexual predators.

Safety film aimed at boys, warning of the reputed dangers of abduction, attack, and abuse by men. Emphasizes not accepting rides or other invitations from strangers, and informing parents and police of suspicious activity (film is produced in cooperation with the Pasadena Police Department). There is also a brief mention of finding help for troubled adults.

This is the third edition of Sid Davis's notorious and homophobic film Boys Beware (first edition 1961) warning boys against the danger of male sexual predators.

Description from Educational Film/Video Locator, Third Edition, 1986:

"A nonsensational and realistic exploration of the problem of sexual attack against young teenage boys. Three typical incidents are dramatized to demonstrate the dangers, and commen [sic] sense precautions to avoid such incidents. Points out that molesters are often people known and trusted by the victim, and emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious events to parents and the police."

Reuse Statement: For information on reusing Prelinger Archives footage and obtaining written usage agreements, please visit www.prelinger.com.

Subjects: 1970s, 1980s, Children, Youth, Suburbia, Abuse, Social sciences

Tags: kids playing basketball; hitchhiking; vans; bicycles; paper boys; station wagons; man threatening boy with gun; newspapers; police squad cars; handcuffs; African American children; Black boy; The China Palace restaurant; hotels; cigarette butts; denim jumpsuits; parking lots; record turntables; smoking; drinking; baseball; parks; parents and children; abduction; kidnapping; dramatizations; writing down license plate number; dramatic music; parties; narration; narration from child's POV; child molestation

Film Sponsor:

Creator: Michael Heldman, Sid Davis

Credits: Written, Directed and Edited by Michael Heldman

Adapted from a Sid Davis Production

Produced in cooperation with Pasadena Police Department

Distributor:

Contributor: Prelinger Archives

Source Collection: Prelinger Archives

Digitizing Sponsor: Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web (FFDW) and Internet Archive

Production Date:

Release Date: 1980

Geographical Location: Los Angeles County, California; California; USA; Pasadena, California

Genre/Form: educational

Language: eng

Rights: "All Rights Reserved, Including Television and Reproduction in any form whatsover"

Film Format: 16mm film

Element: release print

Color: color

Color Process:

Sound or Silent: sound

Film Soundtrack Type: variable area

Edge Code: triangle triangle

Frame Rate: 24 fps

Length (feet): 523