Streetwise (1984)

Gritty documentary looks at the life and lives of teenagers living on the streets of Seattle.

Director:

Martin Bell

Writer:

Cheryl McCall (story)

Stars:

Roberta Joseph Hayes, Baby Gramps, Kim

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Roberta Joseph Hayes	...	Herself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Baby Gramps	...	Himself
Kim	...	Herself
Lillie	...	Herself
Lulu	...	Herself
Munchkin	...	Himself
Patti	...	Herself
Dewayne Pomeroy	...	Himself
Rat	...	Himself
Shadow	...	Himself
Shellie	...	Herself
Tiny	...	Herself
Tom Waits	...	Himself

Storyline

Portrays the lives of nine desperate teenagers. Thrown too young into a seedy grown up world, these runaways and castaways survive, but just barely. Rat, the dumpster diver. Tiny, the teen prostitute. Shellie, the baby-faced blonde. DeWayne, the hustler. All old beyond their years. All underage survivors fighting for life and love on the streets of downtown Seattle.

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Plot Keywords:

teen prostitute | dumpster | based on magazine article | seattle washington | tragedy | 

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Taglines:

The streets - your only chance for life.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1984 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bear Creek

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Rat: [To Erin in jail] "You can take the 'ho off the street, but you can't take the street off the 'ho."

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Connections

Version of American Heart (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Rat's Theme"
Written and Performed by Tom Waits

User Reviews

Close to home

This documentary hits very close to home. I grew up with "Rat" after 1984, and our lives are still involved in some ways. I saw this movie as a teenager and it really makes you think about how things could be. Most kids can't wait to get out "on their own" and when you look at the way some roads can take you, you don't ever want to leave. When I look back at how "Rat" grew up and the lives of these other kids, I think to myself how easy it could have been me or kids that I know now. When you watch this movie, you will always remember that LIFE is such a short period of time and so many things can bring you down along the journey. But you have to keep in mind that the negative is always a learning experience, the question is...would you take the same journey again?