The Innocent Party

Duration: 600

Year Published: 1959

Complete Record: Subject: Teenage boy contracts syphilis (sexually transmitted disease / STD / VD) from casual date, infects steady girl. The need to seek prompt medical attention emphasized. Conversation with doctor explains progression of disease and symptoms. Emotional effects of venereal diseases discussed. Shots: young men walk on street, go to buy move tickets at box office, naughty young women wearing pants and smoking cigarettes approach, teenagers chat with them, all get in convertible car together, kissing. In a home, a party, proper young woman (Betty) waits for same young man (Don) who brings her coat, older woman chats with them, sees them off at door, they drive off, he puts arm around her, they chat and kiss, car pulls off road (clock shows time has passed), young woman holds dress up, looks humiliated. Young man at school - girlfriend does not want to talk to him, friend (Nicky) approaches, young man talks to him in classroom. Young man at doctors office looks through microscope, doctor scolds him then and consoles the young man, shows him pictures in pamphlet, each sit at his desk, young man looks very concerned, upset, angry, doctor shows very undetailed pictures of male and female genitalia, then detailed pictures of sores, pictures of infected tongue and face, CU crazy eyes picture, infected baby. Young man outside school, girlfriend walks by. In classroom girlfriend speaks from desk. Young man sips soda, young man and girlfriend (each wearing sweaters) at doctor’s office, she is crying. A sad tale indeed.