Teenage Challenge Pt 1 of 3

Teenage Challenge Pt 1 of 3 Family Films Prod. Sam Hersh Dir. William F Claxton 09:23:53 High school baseball game in progress; player Ziggy on sidelines complains to friend Dave keeping statistics about his status on the team; audience jumps up & cheers as team wins; Dave says he & girlfriend Betty won’t be able to make celebrations. 09:25:14 Dave into door marked ‘Maroon and White Campus News’ INT student newspaper office, blonde Betty at ‘Society Editor’ desk, Stan at another; Mrs Goodman in, praises all their copy for the newspaper, asks if they’re all entering essay contest w/ theme of “Teenager’s Greatest Challenge”. Stan says his greatest challenge is to get a date w/ Betty / Dave: “Over my dead body” / Betty: “I’m not wearing anybody’s brand yet” / Mrs Goodman: “That’s the strategy Betty, keep ‘em wondering”. Betty tries to persuade Dave to go to the party & miss Youth Fellowship just once but they’d promised to be there. 09:26:50 Church youth meeting - teenagers looking prim; advisor starts discussion about being embarrassed to admit you’re a Christian. Betty: “Sometimes we take a beating just for coming to church”. Leader: “That’s a good question, is it possible to be a Christian & still be popular?” “Maybe it’s the other kids that are squares...” 09:28:04 Advisor: “...you can’t be popular and compromise on your principles” etc. “What you do now in His name can help determine the future of the world” - teens discuss & listen intently. 09:31:05 Neighborhood street scene, Dave talking to Betty in parked car - thinks he’s not doing enough - “what do we do in our everyday lives that gives us any reason to call ourselves Christians? I feel kind of chicken”. Betty worried what schoolmates will think. Religion; Christianity; Evangelism; Social Issues; 1950s Americana; Bullying; Journalism; Teenagers; Youth;