You find some interesting stuff on the Comcast OnDemand at four in the morning, such as this. It’s an extremely earnest message short about a girl who doesn’t quite fit in with her peers at school. Susan Jane thinks the other kids laugh and make fun of her behind her back, but they don’t! They think she’s stuck up because she never talks to them, but she’s just shy!
This seems to have been meant to be shown in schools. There are even discussion questions at the end:
- Do you know a boy or girl like Susan Jane?
- Does your group ignore boys and girls like her?
- What can a boy or girl like Susan Jane do to make friends?
- How can the group help boys and girls like her?
This dealie is not particular good; these may be the worst child actors ever, or they are tied with Corey Feldman. It is mildly interesting because it was directed by Herk Harvey, who went on to make Carnival of Souls, the Salt Lake City horror movie from the ’60s.
The Outsider actually plays like the prologue to 13 Going On 30, a film which is much better than it should be, and which Jessica watched, rapt, while sitting on the coffee table.
I am happy to count The Outsider toward my life movie quota, which I may get around to explaining here for those who don’t already know.
It seems that you can see this film for yourself at the wonderful archive.org.
