THE ALCOHOLISM FILM

Year Published: 1974)

Format: 16mm

Description: The writer and actor Rod Serling, best known for his famed sci-fi series "The Twilight Zone", hosts "The Alcoholism Film" (1974). This color public service film produced by Sandler Institutional Films, Inc. was meant to spread awareness of the symptoms, signs, psychological roots, and dangers of alcoholism. The film is composed of various short interviews with alcoholics, medical professionals, recovering alcoholics, as well as colleagues and family members whose lives have been impacted by alcoholism. The film makes the point that one in ten drinkers, can be considered an alcoholic. Produced by Allan Frank Sandler, written by Bob Emenegger, and directed by Charles F. Casey - this film features footage of unhoused / homeless men in the skid row district of downtown Los Angeles, AA meetings, and interview subjects sporting typical 1970s fashion. Homeless men loiter outside of L.A. Mission Home (0:06). Close-up aged faces of men, stubble, taking swig of alcohol (0:09). Montage portraits of people from different walks of life: Homeless man asleep in dumpster (0:36). Mother and father run through field with son (0:38). Teenage couple kiss on row boat (0:41). Man sits drunkenly amid trash cans (0:45). Quick interviews with everyday people about drinking habits: Housewife retrieves groceries from trunk of station wagon in front of suburban home (1:10). Carpenter mixes paint on back of pick up truck (1:15). High school student in front of lockers (1:19). Young woman walks quickly down stairs (1:25). (1:34). Man speaks while driving perhaps Jeep Wrangler (1:36). Guy in wife beater, mullet, desk messy with papers (1:41). Rod Serling, dim lighting, wearing tweed suit - facts and figures (1:52). Man in dim lighting takes drink, discusses drinking habits (2:25). Father drinks beer stein by pool (2:46). African-American secretary with enormous Afro hairdo, 70s style dress in office (2:51). Man in suit stands next to car door (3:21). Perhaps psychologist sits in office with floor to ceiling windows - hilly landscape, water in back (3:25). Doctor discusses problem of alcoholic and alcoholism from doctor’s exam room (4:17). Rod Serling more facts and figures (4:44). Close-up shot, successful attorney (5:27). Older gentleman in suit jacket, anecdote on acquaintance who is functioning alcoholic (6:06). Elderly woman in house dress sits with plants (6:15). Man talks to camera while sifting through filing cabinet (6:28). Teenage girl sits in empty classroom, high school male talks from classroom doorway (6:42). Military official talks from perhaps 1970s Ford M151A2 Military Jeep (7:06). Rod Serling - alcoholism a disease (7:34). Mom prepares salad with young daughter in 1970s, suburban-style kitchen (8:20). Young man in sweater suit talks about physical abuse at home (8:53). Man in brown tweed suit pours coffee into styrofoam cup at AA meeting (9:23). Young woman speaks to camera from room with disheveled desk, stacks of papers (10:00). Backlit young man narrates woes with alcohol as he walks city street illuminated by lights from bookstores, pharmacies, restaurants (10:44). Secretary sits besides large rolodex at desk (11:23). Rod Serling psychological roots of alcoholism, symptoms of alcoholism - montage of diverse group of interview subjects quickly answering each question; typical 1970s haircuts, accessories and fashions (11:57-17:02). Return to doctor speaking from exam room (17:03). Shots cut between Rod Serling as he repeats questions to audience, gives viewer change to answer questions; doctor in exam room detailing what answering yes to any of the questions may mean (17:58). Rod Serling closing words, appeals to audience (20:23). Footage of commercial storefronts on desolate Los Angeles street; Coca Cola advertisement; pawn shop; (21:32). Closing credits overlaid overflowing trash can with discarded alcohol bottle, zoom into homeless man passed out in a stupor (21:41).

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