NCJ Number
17556
Date Published
1970
Length
0 pages
Annotation
DRAMATIC ENACTMENTS AND INTERVIEWS WITH AN EX-BURGLAR, POLICE, AND CITIZENS WHO HAVE BEEN BURGLARIZED ARE COMBINED TO INFORM THE VIEWER ABOUT BURGLARS.
Abstract
A VIGNETTE ABOUT A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WHO ACCIDENTALLY CORNER A BURGLAR IN THEIR HOME OPENS THE FILM AND COMES TO A CONCLUSION WITH IT. BETWEEN THESE TWO ENACTED SEQUENCES, PRACTICAL INFORMATION IS GIVEN ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF BURGLARS, ITEMIZING SERIAL NUMBERS OF POSSESSIONS, LOCKING DOORS AND WINDOWS, AND STORING TOOLS SO THAT THEY ARE NOT CONVENIENT TO A THIEF. SUGGESTIONS FOR DECEPTIVE ACTIONS TO CONVINCE BURGLARS THAT SOMEONE IS AT HOME INCLUDE INSTALLATION OF INEXPENSIVE BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMS, REPLACEMENT OF VULNERABLE DOORS AND WINDOWS, AND SELECTING GOOD DOOR LOCKS. THE VIEWER IS ADVISED TO KEEP CALM AND FOLLOW ORDERS IF A BURGLAR DOES GET IN, STAY OUT OF THE HOUSE IF THERE ARE SUSPICIOUS SIGNS OF ENTRY, AVOID GUNS UNLESS SKILLED IN THEIR USE, COOPERATE WITH THE POLICE, AND REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. AS ALL THIS INFORMATION IS PRESENTED, THERE IS NO LACK OF DRAMA AS THE VISUALS PERSISTENTLY GIVE REALITY TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING THE ADVICE BEING GIVEN. INGENIOUS CAMERA TECHNIQUES SUBTLY COMMUNICATE A SENSE OF DANGER, PROVIDING STRONG MOTIVATION FOR LISTENING TO THE FILM'S PRACTICAL AND THOROUGH VERBAL CONTENT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)