“The Young Savages”, directed by John Frankenheimer, is a 1960’s early portrayal of new era filming. John Frakenheimer was undoubtedly an early new era filmmaker and famous director. This could be shown through his process of directing and his habit of controlling every aspect of the films production. Not only is he be the inspiration for freelance filmmakers worldwide, but even early on I would say that he can relate to many of the problems that are faced in our society today. In the Biography of Frankenheimer that I found, it stated that he suffered from both alcoholism and depression. Although both things have been around for a long time, these obstacles have been brought to light in recent times as well as ways to face them. Frankenheimer perfectly portrayed the life of new era living and it was shown through his stylistic form of filming. Not only did the camera work of the film develop a stylistic form of filming, but so did the structure of the film’s production. As stated earlier, Frankenheimer controlled every aspect in the production of the film. With “The Young Savages” being set in the Spanish Harlem, nearly the entire film was shot in and around West 117th Street which is where one of the lead actors, Lancaster, formerly grew up. This created a unique sense of authenticity because it began to sway from the conventional way of filming in actual Hollywood. The link that I found is a Film Synopsis and goes more in depth about individual factors that were paced into the film to make it more unique. This unconventional film began to turn heads and catch the attention of a more youthful audience. With the progression of filming and new forms of technological advancements arising , Frankenheimer not only had to impress his viewers but also develop new ways of promotion.

With diverse platforms for viewing media being developed at this time, both promotion posters and music were contributing factors to the films success. With individuals such as David Amram & His Orchestra developing music to promote the film, even the album cover sparks the viewers interests to invest in seeing the film

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This is important because from what I have found, there was never an original trailer made for the film. But for those of you interested in the film, it is available  on YouTube. Another way that Frankenheimer promoted his film was through the use of promotion poster. These posters could be found at movie theaters, down to a simp magazine. The image that I found to be the most compelling, pictured the young boys posing to commit some crime while there were saying written on the image as well.

This image deceives the audience to develop an opinion about the outcome of the film, when that is quite the contrary. Frenkenheimer discovered early in the development of new era filming that, you must per the interest of the public. He used tools such as racial and young prejudice to catch the attention of a younger  society. That is exactly what Robert Osborne and Dr. Chon A. Noriega discuss, Hollywood, Race, and Juvenile Delinquency.

“The Young Savages” is the early work of a stylistic form of filming in new American cinema. Frankenhiemer was successfully able to produce a film where he was in charge of every aspect in the film’s production. I would argue to say that many habits of freelance fillers stem from the work of Frankenhiemer. I recommend watching this film because it undoubtedly shows a progression in film and Hollywood as a whole. It showed filmmakers that you do not have to be affiliated with Hollywood in order to be successful in the industry.

Resources

Baxter, Brian. “Obituary: John Frankenheimer.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 8 July 2002, www.theguardian.com/news/2002/jul/08/guardianobituaries.booksobituaries. (Critical)

Stafford, Jeff. “The Young Savages.” Turner Classic Movies, TCM.com, www.tcm.com/this-month/article/99308%7C0/The-Young-Savages.html. (Critical)

“Theme From ‘The Young Savages.’” YouTube, YouTube, 8 Nov. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=69Jl2NWqiVc&list=OLAK5uy_nF7zOOnxjOkTMmxbg545SnM2kY0EQrNVY&index=5. (Historical)

UCLAChicanoStudies. “TCM’s Race & Hollywood Latino Images in Film Series: ‘The Young Savages’ (1961).” YouTube, YouTube, 16 Mar. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qlS5dDaWo0. (Historical)