Outsider, The
Outsider, The is a short film from 1951 released on 16mm. It is held in the Prelinger Archives collection.
The tale of "Susan Jane," the perennial outcast.
| Outsider, The | |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Centron Productions |
Production company | Centron Productions |
| Distributed by | Centron Productions |
Release date | 1951 |
Running time | 11:33 |
| Language | English |
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Shot List
00:00:43:00 The Outsider 35814 Susan Jane is fabulous as tormented young teen; other teen actors are pretty wooden. 00:01:34:00 camera zooms in slowly on lonely girl walking slowly VO - "Susan? Susan Jane? What s the matter with you? Why is everyone else having such a good time when you re not? Why are they always leaving you out? " (00:01:50:00) 00:01:52:00 cross fade to CU of Susan Jane VO - "Do you look different? Is it some way you act? What makes you the outsider? The Outsider: the one nobody asks." (00:02:03:00) 00:03:11:00 CU of Susan Jane VO - "Why do the other kids do everything differently? They choose different things, they stick together on everything Why are you always the one who s out of step? Is there something the matter with you?" (00:03:26:00) Classic scene of susan Jane overhearing two girls talking, thinks they are talking about her: 00:06:47:00 med shot - Susan Jane beside the wall in foreground, other girls behind her in doorway VO - "You were just standing there in the hall the next day, all alone, weren t you? The way you always are. And you heard the girls talking. You thought they were talking about you." First girl - "Oh no, we can t ask her. She s a creep." (00:07:03:00) 00:07:04:00 MCU of Susan Jane - leaning against the wall - turning head to listen VO - "Susan, Susan Jane! Who s a creep? Who are they talking about!" (00:07:08:00) 00:07:09:00 MCU of two girls Brunette - "You said it! She d spoil everything!" First Girl (Blond) - "Can t you just see her, not opening her mouth all evening, sitting there like a pole. Why can t she..." (00:07:16:00) 00:07:17:00 MCU of Susan Jane looking upset Blond girl - "...relax!" 00:07:18:00 MCU of gossipy girls Blond girl - "And the clothes she wears!" Brunette - "It d be different if she just put herself out..." 00:07:22:00 MCU of Susan Jane, eyes closed, biting lip, putting head in her hands Brunette - "...a little, but oh no, she s too wrapped up in herself for that!" 00:07:26:00 MCU of Susan Jane, starts walking slowly away, back to camera VO - "Susan Jane, wait a minute, they re not talking about you! But you didn t wait to hear that, did you?" (00:07:38:00) Susan Jane getting dressed for party with an evil voiceover epitomizing 50's conformity: 00:11:29:00 med wide shot of Susan Jane sitting at vanity, adjusting dress VO - "Well, Susan Jane, this is your big moment, the moment you ve been waiting for. This is your chance to show the gang what you really are. You ve fixed your hair, and have on a pretty dress. You ve even found a book called what to do to make people like you. And you ve made up your mind not to act like an outsider." (00:11:49:00) 00:11:50:00 MCU of Susan Jane s face in mirror on dressing table, brushing hair VO - "But is this enough? Will it work? Will you do the right things? Will you say the right things? Will the gang accept you Susan Jane?" Mom s voice - "Susan Jane?" Susan Jane - "Yes, Mother?" Mom s voice - "It s about time for you to go." (00:12:10:00) 00:12:11:00 med shot of Susan Jane combing her hair, looking very nervous, getting up and leaving room (00:12:16:00)
Christine Hennig Review
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.