Life Begins at 17 (1958)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Arthur Dreifuss

Writer:

Richard Baer (writer)

Release Date:

July 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Today's "Shook-Up" Kids Shaking Loose!

Plot:

Rich college fraternity boy tries to get small-town beauty contest winner to fall for him by making a play for her 16-year-old sister. |

Cast

Mark Damon	...	Russ Lippincott
Dorothy Johnson	...	Elaine Peck
Edd Byrnes	...	Jim Barker
Ann Doran	...	Virginia Peck
Hugh Sanders	...	Harry Peck
Luana Anders	...	Carol Peck
Cathy O'Neill	...	Patricia 'Pooky' Peck
George Eldredge	...	Mr. Lippincott
Tommy Ivo	...	Redheaded frat brother with pompadour
Bob Dennis	...	Frat brother
Robert Moechel	...	Frat brother

Runtime:

74 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Clover Productions

Soundtrack:

One Night Stand

Fascinating document of its era

If it happens that Life Begins at 17 even faintly resembles the domestic and social values it depicts, then this seemingly harmless teen pic has to be reckoned one of the most horrifying documents of the Fifties. Deception, parental neglect, and emotional blackmail are at the heart of a story that has frat brat Damon pretending to be interested in Anders in order to get her gorgeous sister to fall for him. Once she learns of his deceit, Anders retaliates in a bizarre and unexpected way.

While this is obviously an exploitation picture, there are domestic scenes that sensitively capture the strained parent/child relationships. Particularly moving is the scene between Mark Damon and his father, in which Damon expresses betrayal from his father for not believing him. Damon is superb in this scene, bringing an emotional depth rare in a picture of this sort.

Don't get the impression that this is a good movie. It's not. But it's a fascinating document of its era - one that could generate hours of discussion on its sociological implications.