OUR HIGH SOCIETY

Year Published: 1960s

Creator: teen-challenge-productions-thirtyfive-sixteen-inc

Description: This 1960s film, "Our High Society" by Teen Challenge Productions was produced by Thirtyfive-Sixteen, Inc. shows scenes of drug addiction in New York City and describes the challenges and changes facing youth, particularly emphasizing the Teen Challenge rehab center. The film begins with a montage of various scenes of inter-city hardships, such as children in poverty, people using drugs and overdosing, drug paraphernalia, needles, graffiti, and trash on the streets (0:23). Title card: “Our High Society” (1:14). Narration describes the "high society" of urban environments filled with addiction, poverty, and neglect, particularly affecting children. People stand on a street corner outside a liquor store; signs for a record store and Coca-Cola (1:48). Haight Bootery (1:53) and Pacific Drugs stores. A young Black child in front of a wall of graffiti: “You are entering Dukes territory” (2:08). Rundown buildings (2:41). Trash in an apartment complex courtyard; children on a sidewalk (3:30). Children dancing on a wrecked car (3:52) and playing in the street. Bowery and Rivington Street corner in New York City (4:35). Narration talks about alcohol use, showing alcohol users passed out on street corners next to empty bottles. A 7-Up soft drink sign (4:51). At 5:45, the film introduces the middle-class youth who are rebelling against societal norms, experimenting with drugs, and confronting generational gaps. Rick Allmen’s Greenwich Village Cafe banner (5:53). Narration describes the “sexual revolution,” as a woman says she is bisexual (6:20). Psychedelic patterns and people smoking as the film discusses the rise in marijuana use, along with other drugs like speed and meth, among younger generations (7:00). The film asks, “Values. Where have they gone?” (7:43). At 8:00 - 10:04, the film explores the cycle of addiction, detailing the descent from soft drugs to harder substances and the struggles of those trapped by addiction. People injecting heroin and other hard drugs (8:43). A young man preparing and injecting hard drugs (10:30); his friends by his bedside looking distressed (11:58) as they also shoot up. A map of the United States showing light spreading across it (13:23). At 13:26, the film introduces Teen Challenge Center, an addiction treatment and drug rehabilitation center, discussing recovery through faith. The original Teen Challenge center was founded in New York City by David Wilkerson, and has centers across the U.S. and Europe. At 14:10, a gathering of young people enjoying themselves in a park. From 15:50-16:02, the film concludes with similar montage of photos to the intro and describes a vision of hope and community. Credits: Frank A. Maniglia, Executive Producer; Donald Wilkerson, Writer; Johnny Holiday, Narrator; Lee Anderson, Editor; Alfred Gear and Victor Torres, Cinematography; Bob Combs, Still Photography; Bob Jones, Filmograph & Titles; Music, Dave Parker, Joe Byrd, Ed Farmbrough, Liz Morrison, J.B. Morrison. Founder, David Wilkerson. New York, NY; Rehrersburg, PA.

Complete Record: This 1960s film, "Our High Society" by Teen Challenge Productions was produced by Thirtyfive-Sixteen, Inc. shows scenes of drug addiction in New York City and describes the challenges and changes facing youth, particularly emphasizing the Teen Challenge rehab center. The film begins with a montage of various scenes of inter-city hardships, such as children in poverty, people using drugs and overdosing, drug paraphernalia, needles, graffiti, and trash on the streets (0:23). Title card: “Our High Society” (1:14). Narration describes the "high society" of urban environments filled with addiction, poverty, and neglect, particularly affecting children. People stand on a street corner outside a liquor store; signs for a record store and Coca-Cola (1:48). Haight Bootery (1:53) and Pacific Drugs stores. A young Black child in front of a wall of graffiti: “You are entering Dukes territory” (2:08). Rundown buildings (2:41). Trash in an apartment complex courtyard; children on a sidewalk (3:30). Children dancing on a wrecked car (3:52) and playing in the street. Bowery and Rivington Street corner in New York City (4:35). Narration talks about alcohol use, showing alcohol users passed out on street corners next to empty bottles. A 7-Up soft drink sign (4:51). At 5:45, the film introduces the middle-class youth who are rebelling against societal norms, experimenting with drugs, and confronting generational gaps. Rick Allmen’s Greenwich Village Cafe banner (5:53). Narration describes the “sexual revolution,” as a woman says she is bisexual (6:20). Psychedelic patterns and people smoking as the film discusses the rise in marijuana use, along with other drugs like speed and meth, among younger generations (7:00). The film asks, “Values. Where have they gone?” (7:43). At 8:00 - 10:04, the film explores the cycle of addiction, detailing the descent from soft drugs to harder substances and the struggles of those trapped by addiction. People injecting heroin and other hard drugs (8:43). A young man preparing and injecting hard drugs (10:30); his friends by his bedside looking distressed (11:58) as they also shoot up. A map of the United States showing light spreading across it (13:23). At 13:26, the film introduces Teen Challenge Center, an addiction treatment and drug rehabilitation center, discussing recovery through faith. The original Teen Challenge center was founded in New York City by David Wilkerson, and has centers across the U.S. and Europe. At 14:10, a gathering of young people enjoying themselves in a park. From 15:50-16:02, the film concludes with similar montage of photos to the intro and describes a vision of hope and community. Credits: Frank A. Maniglia, Executive Producer; Donald Wilkerson, Writer; Johnny Holiday, Narrator; Lee Anderson, Editor; Alfred Gear and Victor Torres, Cinematography; Bob Combs, Still Photography; Bob Jones, Filmograph & Titles; Music, Dave Parker, Joe Byrd, Ed Farmbrough, Liz Morrison, J.B. Morrison. Founder, David Wilkerson. New York, NY; Rehrersburg, PA.