THE MAN WHO COULD TALK TO KIDS

US, 1973, 75 minutes, Colour.
Peter Boyle, Scott Jacoby, Collin Wilcox Paxton, Robert Reed, Tyne Daly.
Directed by Donald Wrye.

The Man Who Could Talk to Kings is an interesting telemovie with documentary touch. It is in line with the psychological interest in so many telemovies of the early 70s. Peter Boyle, a striking dramatic actor as well as a comedian, is effective in the leading role, of the social worker.

Scott Jacoby has acted many similar roles on telemovies, and on the big screen e.g. Baxter, That Certain Summer, No Place to Run. He is effective as the troubled twelve year old counselled by Boyle.

The film was directed by Donald Wrye who was to direct very effectively the Jack Lemmon version of John Osborne’s The Entertainer.

1. The impact of this telemovie in themes, style? Brevity? Impact of social themes for home audiences, of themes close to the home audience?

2. Use of colour, music, locations?

3. The significance of the title and audience expectations?

4. The opening and the focus on Kenny, playing and the transition to his bashing? His father watching and his reaction? How well did the film briefly set the scene for the problems?

5. The picture of desperate parents and their seeking psychological help? The seeking out of Charlie an a last resort? The initial impact of Charlie, his work, his being consulted by people? The interruptions and the comment on the busy world when people need personal help? The dinner scene and Charlie assessing the situation? The parents' presentation of themselves and the problem?

6. The contrast with Charlie and Susan? Charlie's home life, Susan and her support and love? Their child, the scenes together? Charlie and his doubts and Susan's wise responses? Kenny and the experience of this family? The importance of the future for the family? Susan as a well delineated character, as supportive of Charlie?

7. How ordinary a boy was Kenny? How different? His walking with Charlie, the non-communication? His running away, kicking, brooding? A puzzle to himself? The pain that he experienced?

8. How did Kenny and Charlie begin to communicate? The tackle by Charlie, Kenny throwing away the rock when he would have hit him? The walk in the ruins of the old pier and the comment about zero country? The therapy with the doll and discovering his feelings? His bashing the doll? The insights into his relationship with his brother, the occasion when he let his brother run on the road after the balloon? Love and hate? Anger? Watching his brother and then running away? The value of knowing his anger - was it too soon?

9. The reasons given for Kenny's state? The intelligence of his father, the coming of his brother? The role play and Charlie's explanation of the family situation? Was this correct? What could be done about it? How general an experience in families is it?

10. Comment on the sequences with the parents, their coping, lack of coping? Their treatment of Kenny and trying to communicate? Their lack of knowledge about how he really thought, for example, marine biology? Their plans to send him away because Charlie could not look after him full time? The implications of this?

11. The crisis for Kenny and Charlie and their saying goodbye? The love and the embrace? The flying of the kites and the symbols? The other girl that Charlie was helping?

12. Talking over the future with Sue? The decision to leave the job and build the school? Optimism and hope? What was the audience left with?

13. The background of modern psychology and social care? The language, the visual presentation of therapy? How realistic, how hopeful?