Never Take Sweets from a Stranger
| Never Take Sweets from a Stranger | |
|---|---|
UK release poster
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| Directed by | Cyril Frankel |
| Produced by | Anthony Hinds |
| Written by | John Hunter (from play by Roger Garis) |
| Starring |
Patrick Allen Gwen Watford Felix Aylmer |
| Music by | Elisabeth Lutyens |
| Cinematography | Freddie Francis |
| Edited by | Alfred Cox, James Needs |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
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Release date
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4 March 1960 |
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Running time
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81 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Never Take Sweets from a Stranger (US Never Take Candy from a Stranger) is a 1960 British film, directed by Cyril Frankel and released by Hammer Film Productions. The screenplay was developed by John Hunter from the play The Pony Trap by Roger Garis. It stars Patrick Allen, Gwen Watford and Felix Aylmer, the latter being cast notably against type. The twin themes are paedophilia and the sexual abuse of children, and the way in which those with sufficient pull can corrupt and manipulate the legal system to evade responsibility for their actions. The film is regarded as bold and uncompromising for its time in the way in which it handles its subject matter.
The film is set in a small Canadian town to which the British Carter family (Peter, Sally and 9-year-old daughter Jean) have just moved, following Peter's appointment as school principal. One night Jean appears restless and disturbed, and confides to her parents that earlier that day while playing in a local wood, she and her friend, Lucille, went into the house of an elderly man who asked them to remove their clothes and dance naked before him in return for some candy, which they did and Jean doesn't believe they did anything wrong. But her parents are appalled by what they hear and decide to file a complaint. The accused man, Clarence Olderberry Sr., is however the doyen of the wealthiest, most highly regarded and influential family in town and matters conspire to turn against the Carters as the townspeople start to close rank against the newcomers. The police chief casts doubt on Jean's story, while Olderberry's son warns the Carters that if they pursue the matter through the legal system, he will ensure that Jean's evidence and trustworthiness will be torn to shreds in court.
When the case come to trial, it is with an obviously stacked jury and in an atmosphere of extreme hostility towards the Carters. As threatened, the Defense Counsel proceeds to question Jean in a harrying, bullying manner which leaves her confused, frightened and giving the impression of an unreliable witness. Inevitably Olderberry is acquitted.
The Carters realise that there can be no future for them in the town, and make plans to leave. Shortly before their departure, Jean rides her bicycle and meets Lucille. They are in the wood again when they see Olderberry approaching them, offering them a bag of sweets. He grabs hold of Jean's bicycle. This time forewarned, the girls run away in panic and come to a lake, dropping Lucille's shopping bag on the way, and they find a rowboat in which they attempt to flee to the other side of the lake. The boat is however still moored to the lakeshore, and Olderberry begins to pull it back in.
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Wikipedia