Palmour Street (A Study in Family Life) (1949, sound)

[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Like father, like son. Like mother, [music] like daughter. But children take after their parents in more ways than looks. Let's watch what happens [music] at the clinic. >> [music] >> What makes this difference in children? >> [music] >> Could it be this difference in their parents? >> [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Ronald's only 9 months old. But he knows that he is and he is warm and his mother loves him. And that's [music] the best kind of a beginning any baby can have. Kenny's scared and that's natural. But it isn't good for him to stay scared. For right now when he's 6 years old, Kenny's beginning to decide if he's going to stay scared of things all his life. Good dog. Good dog. See there? And she's a good dog, right? That's right. That's right. Get up play with him now. See there? Ronald. Ronald, get off of that couch. It won't be fit for any party. >> [music] >> Children of three are not too young [music] to begin learning things like this. More important, it helps him to get the feeling that they can do them. >> [music] >> Mother, too, is building self-confidence in her child. >> [music] >> But there are times when it's hard to be patient. Mama, look at Ronald. Be quiet. Mama, look what the TV showed. Can't you see I'm busy? She's busy. But when mother doesn't want to hear about school or doesn't even care about it, What do you want to show me, honey? >> [music] >> Look at it. Get off this porch. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves dancing to the devil like that. You better get off this porch. Let's go to your house. Yes, my mama don't care if we dance. >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> That kind of stuff >> [music] >> You may be right about the dancing, Aunt Esther. But I think it's best if you know about what they're doing. Coming to our party Saturday? That boy of mine has got hisself into trouble again. Had me down to the jailhouse yesterday. Me, I was begging the police to let him go. I was ashamed to death. Mrs. Neil, you were notified to appear here today and answer to a complaint that the Lanktons have filed against your son, James. Are you ready? I didn't hear a word about it till the police came by my house. I declare to goodness. But Aunt Esther, you didn't tell him what happened 2 weeks ago. Don't tell me you couldn't help losing your job because I know better. It's you and that sassy tongue of yours. Oh, yes, it is. You young'uns think you can do any old way now and people will take it from you. Getting so smart. Think you're good as anybody. You're lucky. Yes, I got a good man and children just as good as anybody's. >> [music] >> A good man. >> [music] >> Still things like this will happen. >> [music] >> No, I'm not tired. Ain't you got my dinner done yet? Don't you come here barking at me. I had enough worry all day. Who do you think you're talking to that away? I lean over that stove all day, sweating my guts out, and all I get is blah BLAH BLAH. >> THINK I GOT AN AFRICAN KITCHEN? Clothes need washing, baby crying every 2 minutes, and all you want to do IS EAT AND EAT AND EAT. >> I'LL BUST YOU IN THE MOUTH. SHUT UP. >> [bell] >> Wonder what's he thinking about? What does this mean to Dorothy? Even Vernon isn't too [music] young to know that something has gone wrong. >> [music] >> No one stormy homecoming is going to do a great deal of harm though >> [music] >> if most of the time it's like this. >> [music] >> Got my dinner ready yet, honey? Be ready in about 15 minutes. What are you doing there, boy? Sleeping? Come on to the ground and porch and rest a while. Okay. Come on, boy. Let's go. Come on. Come on. Yeah, let me get the baby out the way for you. >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Supper's ready. Come on, let's eat. The children are right now here they are safe and comfortable and happy. But what happens when you can't be with them? Bye, Mom. Has Dorothy been prepared for the world beyond Palmer Street? Hello, girl. Come here. Can she meet this kind of temptation? Has she been prepared for this? That ain't nothing. My mother told me about that a long time ago. When both father and mother have to work it's mighty hard to give children the kind of care they need. But Dorothy knows her mother never goes to work without leaving a lunch ready. It's a good way to get her to come straight home after school. But what about the children who have to spend the day with Aunt Esther? >> [music] [music] [music] >> Spoiling one child, being hard on the rest. That's something [music] no child can understand. When this goes on week after week mother has problems with them all. Kenneth. Boy, if you don't stop that, I'll have your daddy after you with a stick of stove wood. >> [music] [music] [music] [music] >> That's all, Mom. The rest is for the party. Hey, now. How you doing? Come on, I'll buy you some ice cream. Yes, you better save me something. You better come. All right. What about me? And Here comes Aunt Esther. She coming to the party? Yes. Might be too rough on her. Too rough for who? Let me see you. You'd better run, [music] boy. >> [music] >> Kenneth. Kenneth. What are you doing on that bed, boy? Come here. Come on. Now, now. Now, now, now, now. That ain't going to hurt you. That ain't going to hurt you. Be quiet now. That ain't going to hurt you. That won't hurt you. Now, now, Kenneth. That's it. That's it. That's a good boy. What was the matter with Kenneth today? Boy acted like he was scared to death. Don't know what it was. Aunt Esther's mighty hard on the children sometimes. Yeah. Soon as I get the front space off I'm going to see if I can [music] stay at home more days. Yeah, we better figure on that if we can. Oh, Aunt Esther, what a beautiful cake. I thought it would be nice for the party. Mrs. Rogers. I have bad news. Your husband's been hurt. They want you to come with me as quick as you can. You all be good now and mind Aunt Esther. >> [music] >> Nurse, what can you tell me about my husband? Your husband's been hurt real bad. When that cable broke, he nearly put his head in. He's putting up a mighty good fight. Why don't you wait down here? >> [music] >> Trouble strikes. Something comes along and all our plans and dreams go smash. They've had a good start, these children. Dozens of little things, months and years of care and patience and love given them by [music] their parents have made them strong enough for all the problems they've met so far. And they can [music] stand up to this new one if they get the right kind of lead from grown-ups who are near enough to help them. >> [music] [music] >> I just [music] seen your husband. He's going to be all right. It may take a long time, but he's going to pull through. >> [music] >> Esther, you baby? Oh, Ben. How is he? They say he's going to pull through. Thank God. >> [music] >> Years of care and [music] patience and love. Now, what can the mother do [music] until the family is together again? How can she guide Kenneth and Randall through their troubles without Esther? No chance now for her to stay home all day long. A father and mother's encouragement has helped Laura to do well at school, but mother will have less time for her now. >> [music] [music] >> What can this mother do? What would you do if you were in her place? >> [music] [music] [music]