SKATEBOARD

US, 1978, 98 minutes, Colour.
Allen Garfield, Kathleen Lloyd, Leif Garrett.
Directed by George Gage.

Skateboard is as it sounds. A man in debt, played by Allen Garfield, is set upon by some young people, skateboarders. When asked to pay up, he gets a brainwave that he will promote skateboarding.

The film is a blend of this small fiction along with a whole demonstration of the skills of skateboarding in the 1970s. For skateboard fans only.

1. An enjoyable film? Reflecting a trend of the seventies, a fad? For what audience was the film made?

2. Production values, colour photography, California settings, the skateboard sequences?

3. The work of the stars, their styles and improvisation? focus on Leif Garrett, for younger audiences?

4. Audience response to the skill in skateboard riding? The various examples, the photography, the tests, the mishaps, the successes?

5. The focus on Manny as the main character, California type, promoter, conman, in debt? Starting his car, employment office, alimony? A wheelerdealer? His link with Sol and money?lenders and their toughs? His need for money, the car etc.? Reaction to the skateboard kids in the street?

6. His brainwave about promoting skateboard riding, his push with the promoters, with the boys and girls? Hiring buses? His running and compering of the shows etc.?

7. The portrayal of the boys and girls, their skateboard skills, their families? Their characters in themselves, sexuality and Jason and his girlfriend, the boys' talk? Their reacting to one another, to Manny? To the pressures of training and the shows? Their enjoyment of success?

8. Millicent as a character, conning Manny into the job, her performance and relationship with the kids, especially Jason and his brother? Her support of Manny?

9. The training sequences, Manny's pressure because of the pressure on him? His being bashed in the motel? The pressure on Jason and his running away?

10. Brad taking Jason's place, training and success? The final race and the money issue?

11. How did the film reflect the styles of the seventies? The themes of adolescence, sport and achievement, relationships and responsibility?