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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website One of a series of films intended to be used as training tools for law enforcement and educators, this film “Law in the School“ presents a dramatic narrative set at a California high school. It was produced by the California Attorney General's Office through a grant by the California Council on Criminal Justice. In the film, social tensions (and possibly gang affiliations) lead to fights on the grounds of a high school. As the violence increases, and the principal and teachers are faced with parents demanding a safe school, the question of what can be done is brought front and center. Notably, the student body is portrayed as a mix of African American and white students (with white teachers and principal). California’s political climate in the 1960’s and early 70s was tumultuous as gang violence increased throughout the state and protests erupted on school grounds as part of the Anti-Vietnam War movement. In addition, desegregation had just been completed a decade prior. This film does feature some racially unsound qualities. Much of the gang violence is students of color against other students of color. The narrator of the film is Telly Savalas (2:10); a well known film star mostly recognizable from his role in ‘Kojak’ as Lt. Theo Kojak airing on television from 1973 to 1978. The film dates to 1974, and features many Black students with Afros and quite a bit of denim. The film begins at a high school parking lot somewhere in Los Angeles. White students get into a fight (2:24). The Principal is already on the phone discussing a recent fight, when he receives another call about the ongoing incident in the lot (3:09). The Principal breaks up the fight without filing a police report (3:24). Black students in the classroom are depicted as acting unruly and disruptive in class while the few white students appear to be less violent (3:43). One Black student named Clarence, arrives late again and the female teacher throws him out of class (5:22). An attentive student Laverne, stops to speak with the teacher on the class discussion after class noting the pressures of society (6:17). Clarence returns to threaten the teacher (8:01). Argument erupts at the Advisory Board Council Meeting (11:08) over whether or not the recent spike in violence should bring in law enforcement or be handled in house. A colleague of the Principal informs him if a violent act or crime is committed and not reported, he too will be at fault (12:28). They discuss a recent high-school shooting incident (13:38). The California loitering statute is heard (14:08). Students play at a racket ball court (14:44) and practice baseball techniques (15:06). A gang of black students from another school stand outside the fence and wait for Clarence to exit school (18:15). Clarence’s group of friends and the outside group clash (18:39). A Sherriff’s patrol car passes by the fight as officers rush in to break it up (19:05). One of the youths is caught and questioned over a discarded tape recorder (22:21). The principal is confronted about the stolen property (22:55). The tape recorder is discovered to have belonged to the teacher whom had thrown Clarence out of class (25:28). The Principal doesn’t report the incident as another fight between the same two groups erupts again (26:55). The teacher witnesses the fight and runs for the principal (27:07). One of the students pulls out a knife (27:55) and Clarence accidentally, and fatally, shoots Laverne (28:15). The film was directed by Richard Siegel, produced by David Lee; Deputy Attorney General (29:14), written by Deputy Attorney General Marc Turchin, and presented by Evelle J Younger; Attorney General of the State of California (30:20). The film stars Arem Fisher, Laura McPherson, Chuck Douglas, Julie Williams, Norm Sheridan and Sylvester Robinson. We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.“ This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
