THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR

US, 1970, 93 minutes, Colour.
Eli Wallach, Julie Harris, Deborah Winters, Stephen Mc Hattie, Hal Holbrook, Cloris Leachman.
Directed by David Greene.

The People Next Door was not very popular on its first release. It was made in 1970 when the widespread use of drugs and the consequent problems were still being pushed aside by respectable people. This seems unthinkable given the history of traffic and addiction during the 70s. In retrospect, The People Next Door seems a timely warning about the prevalence of drugs among ordinary people and even with the people next door. The film is quite powerful. It does tend to preach at times but its social consciousness is certainly quite relevant.

It was directed by English director David Greene who made such films as The Strange Affair and Godspell. He has worked prominently in American TV e.g. directing episodes of Roots. Sound stars play the roles of parents in this film: Julie Harris with her strong stage background, Eli Wallach, Arthur Hill, and Cloris Leachman. The bizarre presentation of drugs and the effects may seem somewhat outdated now with their psychedelic overtones. However, the film has value in itself and is, at least, a reflection of the drug problem of the early 70s.

1. The way the title was used during the film? Bringing the film and its theme close to home?

2. The film's reflection of America in 1969-70: city and suburbia, ordinary homes, parties, drugs, the younger generation's rebellion, psychological treatment, group therapy etc., schools and revolts? How have things changed since then? Why? The impact of a film made in a particular time, now?

3. The film's use of colour and music. lyrics and themes?

4. How credible were the people and the events of this film? Heightened for the drama? The melodramatic charge of the film? Necessary for eliciting a felt audience response?

5. What predominated in this film: entertainment, interest didactic message communication?

6. The film's attention to the detail of home life, conversation? The fact that it was American, could it represent suburban home life anywhere at the time? Parents and their attitudes, children and their attitudes? The clash and gap? Especially reflecting the 60s? What was wrong with families? The tame father becoming bullying? The emphasis on work. position status and money? The cowardly mother? The son and his interest in modern music? The daughter at school getting mixed up with drugs? Happiness and unhappiness? The seething atmosphere of home life leading to crises?

7. The comparisons with the Hoffmann’s next door? Their rather more permissive style of life? The father involved in the school? His model son being the peddler?

8. The dramatic impact of Maxie seen as taking drugs? Her trip in the closet? The reaction of the parents and their lack of comprehension? Fear? The horror and uncertainty of such trips and the treatment necessary? The impulsive accusation by the father of his son?

9. The dramatic impact of 'The Truth Game' played by Maxie? The details of her criticism of her parents her listening in and spying on them? The effect on each of them?

10. The importance of the visualizing of Maxie's trips her promiscuity, her lack of any anchoring in the values of her parents? Wanting to be with her boyfriend? The father's reaction to this and his inability to handle the situation?

11. The significance of the visit to the psychologist? His explanations, parent reaction? Is psychology the only hope for such treatment?

12. The impact of the follow-up in group work? The purpose of the group work, its style, brutality, banality at times? Give examples of the impact of these sequences. The effect on each of the persons involved?

13. The melodrama of the party and the trip, the transition to hospital, and the therapy ward? The effect on Maxie?

14. The details of therapy for Maxie? The attempts of her brother to help her? The need for peer therapy rather than parental?

15. Audience response to the revelation that Sandy was the drug pusher, his parents' reaction, their assessment of themselves, his father's decision to hand him over to the police? The technicality of his release and Arthur's reaction? Did audiences share Arthur's reaction?

16. Arthur being reconciled to his son and the realization of his rash judgements?

17. The mother and her torpor and remaining in bed? The cowardly retreat in not facing up to facts? Her desperation in not going to the hospital? Her anger and her confrontation of her daughter? The daughter responding to a confrontation and somebody being interested enough to rebuke her?

18. How accurate were these images of hope and the possibility of a solution? What insight into the family problems in the modern world did this film offer?