*** boys clothing depictions in movies: alphabetical "pd-pl" listings








Alphabetical Movie Listings: Pd-Pl

Pecks's Bad Boy
Figure 1.--'Peck's Bad Boy' was a popular story and several films were made using the story line, both silent films and talkies. This was the Jackie Cooper film.

You can slect the movies available on HBC by using this alphabetical movie listing. At this time only a few movies have been analized by HBC for clothing information, but more review pages are being added all the time. We incourage readeers to send aslong insights on their favorite films.

Peanut Butter Solution - (US, 1985)

After receiving a shock so severe that his hair falls out, a young boy creates a hair growing formulae with peanut butter. Michael Maillot, Matthew MacKay, and Siluck Saysansay.

Peck's Bad Boy (US, 1921)

An early Jackie Coogan vehicle in which he is constantly getting into trouble. Silent film. This was a "B" movie made on the 1920s. I do not believe it was a full-length movie. The boy who can't stay out of trouble is based on George Wibur's Pecks stories. A circus comes to a small quiet town where Henry (played by Jackie Coogan) and his dog "Buddy" (played by Queenie) reside. Kids get restless at the drop of a hat, so Buddy, Henry and Henry's best pal (played by Charles Hatton) visit the circus. Their mischief causes a near riot when they release a lion from its cage. Our darling little hellion, Henry, is adored by his Mamma (played by Lillian Leighton). However, his Papa (played by James Corrigan), the local store keeper (played by Raymond Hatton) and the rest of the town all know trouble's penchant for finding Henry Peck.

Peck's Bad Boy - (US, 1934)

Bill Peck, the title role, is played by Jackie Cooper in this this 1934 remake of a silent film. The films were based on the popular series of books by George W. Peck which were turned into stage plays. Bill of course adores his father and does attempt to be a good boy. Problems begin when his father (Thomas Meighan) tells Bill thar he is adopted. Then obnoxious Aunt Lily Clay (Dorothy Peterson) shows up with bratty cousin Horace (Jackie Searl) in tow. Bill is sorely tempted. Horace proves to be a brat and soon it is Bill getting into trouble. Aunt Lily wants to break the bond between Bill and his father. She wants Horace to replace Bill. Of course Bill comes out on top. Jackie has ample screen time to pout and cry. Producer Sol Lesser reports that Jackie had a littlee troublr crying. He finally solved the problem by threatening to fire director Eddie Cline which upset Jackie. Jackie had a close relationship with Cline. It was all abluff, but Jackie didn't know that.

Peck's Bad Boy With the Circus - (US, 1938)

Many boys in the early 20th century dreamed of running off with the circus. "Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus is about a mischievous boy that did just that. This was the sequel to "Peck's Bad Boy" (1934). The main charcter, Bill Peck, this time was played by Tommy Kelly. He has a fight with his father and runs away with the circus. There are adventures with the elephants and other circus animals as well as circus performers. Spanky McFarland from "Our Gang" appears as Peck's friend and fellow trouble maker. Ann Gillis who also played "Little Orphan Annie" (1938) also appears. This B film was made for kids. Edgar Kennedy and Billy Gilbert appear as comedic foils to Peck's misadventures. The film is a wonderful period piece for kids rather in the same vein as the Our Gang shorts. Like most kids films of the day, there was at the end of the film a moral lesson. The film was directed by Edward F. Cline who did several W.C. Fields commedies.

(The) Pedestrian -

There are flashbacks whuch briefly depict a wealthy boy who attends a private school. The film is set in Europe with World War II flashbacks. I didn't watch the whole movie, but I don't think there are any interesting scenes. The boy wears longs.

Pedro with Ocelot -


Pelle the Conqueror - (Denmark?, 1988)

An old man leaves Sweden with his young son Pelle (Pelle Hvenegaard) and gets a job on a Danish farm. The film is set in the latter 19th Century. They find even harsher conditions on the farm and are treated as virtual slaves. The farm's manager trainee humiliates Pele by pulling down his trousers and whipping him, driving him out into the court yard for everyone to see. Tending the boy's wounds, his father vows to violent revenge. Confronted by the trainee, however, he backs down. Pelle is later beaten by the farm's philandering owner and by the bumbling schoolmaster. The boy eventually decides to leave his father and emigrate to America. You can tell it is not an American film as the film is not prudish. Based on Martin Andersen Nexo's Danish novel, Pelle. The movie was given generally poor reviews, especially the boy's performance. I thought he performed his part quite well. He almost always appears unkempt in ragged clothes.

Pennies from Hevern
Figure 2.-- Bernadette Peters who plays a teacher stuck in a class with drably dressed, bored students. The teacher begins to dream in her dull class. In her dream she transfers them to be a lively, talented group. Sudenly the scene turns into a fantasy scene with all the students appearing in emaculate outfits and launching into a complicated and lively dance scene.

Pennies From Heaven - (US, 1981)

This musical is different than other Steve Martin films. A depression era sheet musician salesman affects the lives of those around him. Rather a dull movie, but there is one interesting scene. The movie starred Martin and Bernadette Peters who plays a teacher stuck in a class with drably dressed, bored students. The teacher begins to dream in her dull class. In her dream she transfers them to be a lively, talented group. Sudenly the scene turns into a fantasy scene with all the students appearing in emaculate outfits and launching into a complicated and lively dance scene. The children were casually dressed in a variety of drab outfits, but are instantly changed into all white outfits. The girls all wear white party frocks and the boys wear white short pants tuxedos with white knee socks. Quite a lengthy little scene. There is an good shot of the drummer's suit. They even get up on their tables so you can get a good view of their costumes.

Penny Princess - (UK, 1953)

A few boys in shorts and I think kilts can be seen in the street scenes, but only fleeting glimpses.

(The) People Next Door - (US, 1996)

A childless couple which appear to be perfect neighbors make plans to kidnap the children of a single mother who move into the neighborhood.

Penrod Films

The irrepressible Penrod Schofield was one of the most popular American boy characters in the early 20th century. He was a character created by Booth Tarkington. Penrod was depicted as typical America boy, raucous and pooly disciplined, but wih a heart of gold. He was always in trouble. He could tolerate the boys adults seemed to admire and he didn't understand girls. Various boys played the part. Film makers used him in a numbrer of films, including three films starring the Mauch twins. For them Tarkington's Penrod stories had to be tweaked a bit. We don't know much about the early Penrod films, but we are familiar with the Mauch twins' films.

Penrod and Sam - (US, 1923)

Ben Alexander. This is silent fil is the first film portral of the classic Tarkington character, Penrod Scofield.

Penrod and Sam - (US, 1931)

The the 1931 version of 'Penrod and Sam' is a pre-Code comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring Leon Janney and Frank Coghlan Jr. It was the second adaptation of the Booth Tarkington novel. Beaudine had previously directed the 1923 silent version. Hevwas invited to remake a talky version. Penrod Schofield, the main character, and Sam Williams are best friends and founding members of the In-Or-In boy's club. Penrod of course is constantly in trouble at school as well as the neighborhood because of all his not very well thought out pranks. Georgie Bassett and Rodney Bitts are two other boys at school. They are not Pebrod's friends. And they are constantly complaining to adults about both Penrod and Sam. This they are not allowed to join the Club. Georgie's father, Mr. Bassett, complains to Penrod's father. Mr. Schofield orders Penrod to invite Georgie into the club. Nothing is said about the required initiation. And as they have been forced to accepting Georgie, Penrod and Sam of course to make his his initiation painful. Rodney who also has not use for Penrod and Sam insists that the boys harmed him. As a result both Penrod and Sam are are unfairly punished. Meanwhile a girl comes between Penrod and Sam--Marjorie Jones. And Penrod's beloved dog, Duke, is run over by a car. Penrod's fortune hit an all-time low when his father sells the empty lot where their clubhouse is located to Mr. Bitts who proceeds to toss the boys off the land. A revengeful, Rodney even refuses to allow Penrod to visit Duke's gravelocated next to the clubhouse. His father finally realizes how much the lot means to Penrod and buys back the lot from Mr. Bitts. And Penrod having learned a good lesson, not only makes up with Sam, but invites Rodney to join the club. Penrod of course wears knickers. He receives a well-deserved spanking and protests mightily. Unusual as Penrod usually manages to talk his way out of it.

Penrod and Sam (US, 1937)

The Mauch twins played in some of the Penrod series films (1937-38). Perrod was Booth Tarkington ranbunctious Midwest boy set in the 1900s. These were, however, minor films although I quite enjoyed them. Only Billy was credited, but both boys probabnly appeared. It was released in late February, 1937. Two sequels followed: "Penrod's Twin Brother" later that year, and "Penrod's Double Trouble" in 1938. The squels allowed both boys to appear. The first of these "Penrod" films is the best, I think. "Penrod and Sam" packs a surprising amount of adventure and social commentary into a film just over an hour long. The film also could be described as a 'children's melodrama', as well. While both adults and children can enjoy "P&S", the target audience is surely young people. One can easily imagine school-age children in good attendance at an old movie palace seventy years ago, enjoying a Saturday matinee showing. They twins would sometimes flip a coin to decide who got what role. The plot diifers from the book. Penrod and his gang are the Jr. G Men, a secret club where all members are sworn to uphold the law and turn in crooks. After the mother of the youngest member is killed by bank robbers, the boys go into action.

Penrod and His Twin Brother (US, 1937)

The Twins second Penrod film was "Penrod and His Twin Brother'. The Mauch Twins' second Penrod film was "Penrod and His Twin Brother". Another 1930s brat is played by Jackie Morrow in a short film based on Booth Tarkington's "Penrod" stories. Interestingly, Tarkington is the author of the Magnificent Ambersons which showcased perhaps the all time greatest movie brat--Georgie Amberson. His Penrod character, however, could not be more different. Penrod is spoiled by his adoring mother, but rather than a brat--he is the All American Boy, The brat in this film is Rodney Bitts, the obnoxious and bratty son of the banker, played by Jackie. He wrongfully accuses Penrod's (played nicely by Billy Mauch) dog of biting him. Turns out Penrod has a "twin", a tough boy from Chicago named Danny Dugan, played by Billy Mauch's real twin brother, Bobby. And "Danny" even has a dog that is identical to Penrod's dog, which was the dog that really bit Rodney. This mix-up eventually involves the boys in the capture of bank robbers at the film's end.

Penrod's Double Trouble (USD, 1938)

The Mauch twins also played in "Penrod's Double Trouble".

On Moonlight Bay (1951)

There were also two Penrod films made in the 1950s with Billy Gray as Penrod, although he was called Wesley in the films. I'm not sure why the name was changed, perhaps to avoid paying royalties. The frst was "On Moonlight Bay" (1951). Billy is better known for his role as Bud on the popular TV series "Father Knows Best". Entertaining family film set at the end of World War I, about 1919. It is based on Booth Tarkington's Penrod stories and depicts a mid-Western family led by a stoggy, but soft hearted father, with a love-struck daughter and an 11-year old son--Wesley. The son is nicely played by Billy Gray (who was to become Bud in "TV's "Father Knows Best"). He is a cute little guy and gets up to all kinds of boyish devilment. He hates his piano lessons and teacher who is sweet on his sister. When her boyfriend comes back from the war, he is unhappy that the boyfriend doesn't bop the piano teacher. He gets into trouble for purloining a turkey (to save the family turkey). His father gets out his belt, but is dissuaded my mom. Welsely always seems to squirm out of trouble. He wears over the knee knickers, often as part of a suit. He even puts on a tie without being prompted to do so. There is even a nice party scene with girls in frilly dresses and boys in smart knicker suits.

By the Light of the Silvery Moon (US, 1953)

The second Penrod film will Billy Gray was "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" (1953).

(El) Pequeño Robin Hood -


(The) Perfect Tribute - (US, 1991)

Made for TV movie. A southern boy (Lukas Haas) travels to Washington to visit his dying brother in a POW hospital. He accidentally meets President Lincoln. Lukas wears keepants. In actuality the 1860s was a transitional period. Boys especialy in the eastern cities were beginning to wear kneepants, but many still wore long pants as were common in the 1850s. Lincoln's boys Willie and Tad, for example, bostly wore long pants.

Perfect Witness - (US)

Riveting mob film about protecting a witness and his family. Danny (Nial Lancaster), about 9, has a minor, but central part. No interesting costumes.

(A) Perfect World - (US, 1993)

T.J. Lowther co-stars in this film set in the early 1960s. He is about 7 and often appears in short shorts. TJ is marvelously sober-faced with none of the self-satisfied tics so common with Hollywood child actors.

(The) Perils of Gwendoline - (US, 1984)

Misadventures of a convent school run away. The film deals with girls and not boys, but some of the fantasy scenes are interesting, including a civilization of Amazon warriors.

Period of Adjustment - (US)

This Christmas drama is set around the marital problems of two couples. One has a 4-yearold boy who for Christmas wears a checked Eton suit with dark kneesocks. His father doesn't like him playing with dolls.

Pet Cemetery - (US, 1988)

A background picture shows a little boy in a blue velvet, Victorian-style smock and hat. Another little boy appears in a similar smock dress.

Pete Takes a Chance -


Peter and the Wolf -


Peter Ibbetson - (US, 1935)

Dickie Moore often played brief bits in the many biographical movies made on the 1930s.

Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Pony - (US, 1977)

Leif Garrett.

Peter Pan
Figure 3.-- This is the first film adaptation of Peter Pan with which we are familar. Philippe de Lacey appeared in the film, playing one of the boys in the nursery. He is seen hear wearing a sailor suit with Nana, the beloved household dog.

Peter Pan - (US, 1925)

This is the first film adaptation of Peter Pan. It is a reasonably accurate depiction if the J.M. Barrie play. A period review begins, "Mrs. Darling (Ralston) is worried because she has seen a boyish face at the nursery window and found a shadow on the floor, but reluctantly goes to a party with her husband (Chadwick). Because Mr. Darling is so strict, the family cannot keep a nurse, so the three children are left in the charge of the dog Nana (Ali). Soon the lively boy Peter Pan (Bronson) appears at the window with the fairy Tinker Bell (Faire), and he finds his shadow in a desk drawer. Wendy (Brian), the oldest child, awakens and sees Peter, and he tells her of his home in the woods and about the fairies. Peter teaches the children to fly and they go away to Never Never Land to join the colony of Lost Boys, who have fallen out of carriages when their nurses were not looking." Philippe de Lacey appeared in the film, playing one of the boys in the nursery. He is seen here wearing a sailor suit with Nana, the beloved household dog (figure 1).

Peter Pan - (US, 1953)

'Peter Pan' is the Disney animated adventure feature based on the 1904 J.M. Barrie play. It was the 14th Disney animated feature film. The amimation is marvelous. The plot involves Darling family siblings who meet Peter Pan and are transported to the island of Never Land to stay young. Here Peter and the children have great adventures with the Lodst Boys and meet Tinkerbell. They encounter Captain Hook and his pirate ship. Hook is marvlously presented as an inept villan. Peter enjoys tormenting Captain Hook and was responsible for the loss of Hook's left hand--to a wondrfully animted crocodile. Disney in this film ceated the imgery that most oldr adults have of the Barrie play. It was the final classic Disney film in which all nine members of Disney's Nine Old Men animators. It is one of Diusnery films that has been attacked by woke cricics, depriving the modern ge=nertioin of this beautiuful masterpieve. None of the modern creatuins anbd sequeals approch the charm of this classic. Bobby Driscoll provided Peter's voice.

Peter Pan - (US, 2003)

This is a rather edgy version of the children's classic.

Peter the Great (US, 1986)

Television nini-serises with some interesting scenes with Peter as a boy.

Pete's Draggon
Figure 4.--Rather appealing Disney live-action movie with inserted animation (the Dragon). I tells the story about a rather mischiviousand bumling magical dragon named Eliot that appears to a little boy (Sean Marshal). The actual story is that Elliot found and raised Pete in a forest, but this is not presented in the film. Elliot protects the orphaned Pete from the evil Grogan family. Here we see Pete and Elliot with Nora and Lampie who take in Pete.

Pete's Dragon - (US, 1977))

Rather appealing Disney live-action movie with inserted animation (the Dragon). The film tells the story about a rather mischivious and bumling magical dragon named Eliot that appears to a little boy (Sean Marshal). The actual story is that Elliot found and raised Pete in a forest, but this is not presented in the film. Elliot protects the orphaned Pete from the evil Grogan family. The Grogans purchased Pete him from a orphanage and made him do all their work. Many view this as one of Disney's weaker efforts, it had a disappointing box office. We rather liked it. Little red-headed Pete played his part beautiful. (I don't recall any other films he made.) And the musical scire is just right. Nora (Helen Reddy) who finds Pete brings hin home and has has him slip on a night shirt. Pete is shy and makes Nora turn her back. Nora and her father Lampie ( Micky Rooney) live in a lighthouse (hence the name Lampie) and set out to take care of Pete. No one believes Pete about his dragon, until Elliot helps them save a ship. Nora takes Pete into town to get a proper suit. She picks a rather plain knicker suit, but he is suddenly the best dressed boy in school. The other boys also wear period clothes, a few other knicker suits but nothing fancy. A couple os boys wear broad-brimmed hats with long streamers down the back. The school marm is a real meany. She keeps her class tightly disciplined and they have to walk in a strict line. She takes an immediate disliking to Pete when Eliot causes her petticoat to be ripped off and she thinks Pete did it. Latter on in school she gives Pete a taste of her 'knuckle cracker' and then prepares to whack his behind until Eliot rescues him. Quite a sweet little movie. There is a touching goodbye between Pete and Elliot. A reader writes, "I was 10 years old when I saw this movie in 1992. It was the day we were departing for London. Actually, to Newcastle. In Newcastle, my Scotts uncle showed this movie but my mother told him I had seen it. I loved dragons!" Another reader writes, "Excellent movie! I remember I got to see it twice in one day! I wanted to see it a third time, but Mom said we had to go!"

le petit Nicholas
Figure5.--The movie 'Le Petit Nicolas' (Little Nicholas) was a film about a French school boy abd his mates. It was based on a series of French children's books which first appeared (1959). At the time it was set in the time period depicted. The film retains that 1950s setting. The charming books depict an idealized French childhood, a little like 'Pecks' Bad Boy' and 'Penrod' in Amnrica and 'Our William' and 'Jennings' series in Britain, but a little more innocent and less mischivious. Part of the charm of the series is that they are told from the point of view of Nicolas, of course the main character in a way that micics how a boy would sctually tell the sriry with genrous dose of captivating schoolyard slang. And like the British books, many of the story lines are based how Nicolas misunderstands adults. It was an early work moving toward modern children's literature based on child's interpretation of the world which we do not see in the earlier classics.

(Le) Petit Nicolas (France, 2009)

The movie 'Le Petit Nicolas' (Little Nicholas) was a film about a French school boy and his mates. It was based on a series of French children's books authored by René Goscinny and illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé. It first appeared (1959). At the time it was set in the time period depicted. The film retains that 1950s setting. The charming books depict an idealized French childhood, a little like a trend begn in America: Peck's Bad Boy and Perod followed in Britain by Our William and the Jennings series. Nicolas seemm a little more innocent and less mischivious, perhaps relcting betterbehvioir expected in France. The series began a little earlier as a comic strip in the Belgian magazine Le Moustique (1956 and 1958). It was the work of the illustrator Sempé and written by Goscinny. Goscinny began to write 'Le Petit Nicholas' as short storries illitrated by Sempé. An English edition with the title Young Nicolas was completed by Stella Rodway for Hutchinson & Co. (1961). The books were published in the United States (1962). The characters' names for the most part retain the French form. Part of the charm of the series is that they are told from the point of view of Nicolas, of course the main character in a way that micics how a boy would actually tell the story with a genrous dose of captivating schoolyard slang. And like the American and British books, many of the story lines are based on how Nicolas misunderstands adults. It was moving toward the now standard modern children's literature based on child's interpretation of the world which we do not see in the earlier classics. We do not see a French film version until (2009). It was directed by Grégoire Vigneron and Alain Chabat. Nicolas is nicely played by Maxime Godart. It was well received by critics and had an excellent box office. As in the books, the film is set in 1950s Paris. Nicolas and his school friends get into mischief, both intentional and unintentional. The film version centers on how Nicolas, an only child, gets the ideathat his mother is going to have a baby. He is uncertain about the idea of having a baby brother. (For some reason he assumes it will be a boy.) At schhol, a friend who has a baby brother tells him how bad it is. Nicolas gets the idea that his parents no longer want him. He and his school mate devise a plot to raise 500 francs to hire a kidnapper and leave the baby in a far-away jungle. Strangely, the boys seem dressed more like English than French school boys. None of the boys wear smocks which were still very common in the 1950s. The blazers and suits seem rather British.

(Un) Petit Parisien - (France, 2002)

A French reader mentions " Un Petit Parisien ", a TV-film of Sébastien Grall from the the book of Dominique Janet. He reports, "Benji a huit ans lorsque son père Claude, prisonnier de guerre est libéré. La famille s'installe à Paris mais la mère meurt d'une longue maladie. Claude est pourtant nommé au lycée Montaigne, comme professeur de lettres. Depuis le décès de sa femme il commence à mener une vie mondaine, s'entoure de femmes et collabore avec les allemands." That means, "Benji is 8 years old when his father Claude, a prisoner of war is released. The family settles in Paris but the mother dies of a ligering disease. Claude obtains an appointment to Montaigne college, as professor of letters. Since the death of his wife, he starts to carry out a fashionable life, surrounded by women and collaborating with the Germans." The cast was: Enzo Bosseti: "Benji" Thibault de Montalembert: "Claude" EliseTielrooy: "Dora". Since the death of his wife, he starts to carry out a fashionable life, surrounded by women and collaborating with the Germans.

Petticoat Larceny - (US, 1943)

An 11 year old radio serial star who specializes in underworld air dramas becomes mixed up with real crooks.

(The) Phantom Kid - (US, 1983)

Western where kids play all the characters. Nothing of any special interest.

Phantom of the Plains - (US, 1945)

Bobby Blake had a small part.

Phantom Tollboth - (US, 1968)

This animated MGM is about a boy's adventures when his toy car takes him through a mysterious gateway. The boy's voice is Butch Patrick of TV The Munsters fame. Milo begins as Butch Patrick, but then shifts to an animated boy. Butch does appear in the film in long slacks with his short back and sides and a nice grey blue zipper up jacket with deep pockets. It's an alphabetical Mathemagical Musical Movie. It was based on a book by Norton Juster. Butch was a typical late 1960s American schoolboy. A red and white candy striped box or package flies through the air and lands in bored Milo's bedroom and he is talking to another boy Ralph on the phone. He keeps Ralph on the phone whilst he checks out the strange package that flew out of the sky and in to his big bedroom and it unwraps it's self in the first ever clever stop camera motion seen in the late 1960s film genre and it becomes a phantom tollbooth with toolbox and tollgate to and a little red car appears in typical manic whizz around action and Milo checks out the fancy red car and hops in it. He mucks about by going in and out of the tollbbooth. As a cartoon by, Milo sets off on a wonderful adventure in to the cartoon universe of The Kingdom of Wisdom, Digitopolis. He meets the Whitch'a policeman come judge who has wheels as a way of getting from point A to point B and he meets a funny little Weather Man who flies around the skies with a big batch of coloured airballoons and in a sort of light blue romper suit and he is a brother of the Whitch. He joins forces with Tick Tock a big gold talking dog with a fobwatch as a heart but guides Milo and he meets the Spelling Bee and other fun characters like a bespectacled Dr Cocophone or some funny name like that. There is evil verses good king and the twin princesses of Rhyme and Reason and he the other king is the Mathsmagician and he has the kingdom of numbers. Old king AZAZ is the king of words and has locked up the twins princes in the Kingdom in The Air. You meet The Conductor of Sunrise and Sunset and a lot of nasty charactors to and a land called the Doldrums starts the movie off with ghostly transparent or muddy spirits who love being in the doldrums and want to stop Milo in his tracks. Milo has to face adversity and think his way out of the complexities that is the world of The Phantom Tollbooth. The film is by Chuck Jones of the famous Warner Brothers classic catoon series. Mel Blanc does most off the voices and Butch does Milo's voice. A reader writes, "I would recommend this film to teachers to get their class to think out in class with their education and not daydream the day away. It is a great film and the children will like it to death as I did way back when I was a bored little schoolboy."

The Pianist
Figure 4.-- This scene from 'The Pianist' shows a Jewish boy hiding from the NAZIs in a Polish cellar. He wears short trousers with suspenders and long brown stockings as was common in Poland at the time.

Phantasm - (US, 1979)

A young boy enters a world of terror when his investigation into his brother's death leads to an eerie mausoleum.

Pharaoh's Army - (US, 1995)

A Confederate woman and a Union captain occupying her farm earn each other's respect. She has a nice boy about 13 or so, but there are no interesting outfits.

Philipp der Kline (East Germany, 197?)

HBC does not have a lot of information on this film. It is a German film, but few other details are avialble. HBC's German film consultant believes that it is probably East German probably shot in the mid-1970s. The film is Philipp der Kleine, "Philipp the Small" in English. It is about a kid who's small for his age, and this really bugs him. He ends up with a magic flute and every time he plays it things around him get bigger (including his cat which turns into a lion cub and goes to school with him!) Some scenes demonstrate that even kids walking past in the background are wearing the same style of clothes as the kids in the flim. Some of the images are a bit fuzzy, but there's an awful lot of long patterned and stripey socks in this film and they're wearinig them.

(The) Pianist (???, 2002)

"The Pianist" is an important account of the NAZI Holocaust in Poland, and is sometimes compared with another film on the same subject, "Schindler's List". The film was directed by Roman Polanski and starred Adrien Brody as Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Jewish concert pianist who miraculously survived the wholesale slaughter of the Jews in Warsaw during World War II. It is called "The Pianist" (2002). The film is unusually graphic and hard to watch because of the incredible brutality of the NAZIs, but it was filmed with meticulous historical accuracy including the costuming. In numerous scenes we see boys dressed in the style of 1940s Warsaw. Most of the boys wear various outfits with short trousers and long stockings.

Pick a Star(US, 1937)

George "Spanky" McFarland

Pick Me Up at Peggy's Cove -


(The) Pied Piper (UK, 1942)

The Pied Piper is about an English boy in France fleeing the Nazis. The film was made in 1942 during World War II, not long after the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) escaped at Dunkirk (May 1940). It was based on a novel by Neville Shut. The film starred Monty Woolley as the main character, Roddy Mc Dowall as the boy, and Peggy Ann Garner as the girl. The film was set in France in June 1940, just as the French surrendered to the Germans and the Germans close the channel ports. A British man, Mr. Howard, on a fishing trip to France. World War II breaks out and he is forced to return to England. Mr. Howard is an elderly germunchon who hates children, but finds himself stuck with a pack of them. He reluctantly agrees to take with him two children of diplomats who are working at the League of Nations. He journeys to the nearest French port to get a boat to England. Along the way he collects an assortment of refugee children. He could get back to England easier by himself, but his conscious won't let him leave them. He starts out with two English children and along the way they are joined by a number of young refugees. He attracts more and more children as he travels through France. Mounty Woolley is taking him back to England. They are crossing NAZI infested France. They argue over American States. Mounty Woolley claims Rochester is a state and Roddy points out that it is only a city. Mounty Woolly will not have it but concedes to Roddy's arguement on a cross channel fishing boat at the end of the film. This is after Roddy has lost the pride and joy Mounty Woolley's belongings - His fishing Rod. It is clear that by this time man and boy are friends. Roddy dons French clothes, a smock and beret, to blend in with the others. As Roddy was 13 or 14, you wonder if he didn't object to the juvenile costumes. This film is similar in many ways to Happy Road (US, 1957).


Figure 5.--Here are some of the children collected in "The Pied Piper" as Mr. Howard tried to get home to England. The story was based on a novel by Neville Shut. Roddy McDowell plays the English boy. At the time this film was released, it was not exactly clear to the reader the danger the children faced. Today it all too clear.

(The) Pied Piper of Hamelin - (US, 1957)

A resentful piper leads the children of Hamelin from their homes after the mayor refuses to pay him for ridding the city of rats.

Pillow to Post - (US, 1955)

Bobby Blake has a small part.

Pink Floyd the Wall - (England, 1982)

"Pink Floyd The Wall" was written by Roger Waters, designed by Gerald Scarfe (animator), and directed by Alan Parker. A phantasmagoric musical based upon the classic eponymous progressive rock album, which is, in turn, a semi-autobiographical account of writer/songwriter Roger Waters' life, and an homage to his late father, who died in World War II, and former band member, Sid Barret, who developed schizophrenia while in the band. There are two different actors playing the younger version of Rock star Pink. The Education/School sequence representing all English Public Schools. Theere is also a Desert/Father/soldiers coming home railway scene. The rest of the film is the mental breakdown of rock star Pink, as he sits in his hotel room, wasting away and drowning in psychosis. Interspersed in-between "reality" and animation.

Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night - (US, 1987)

Animated version with Pinocchio in his shorts. Nothing of interest, but a girl in one of those kid movie review shows commented on the shorts. She said, "It is so totally uncool to wear shorts all of the time."

Pipi Longstokings series -

A series of movies based on Swedish novels about a strange red-haired girl. There are usually a lot of other children in the films, sometimes including boys in shorts. See the alphabetical listings for details on each film. A reader who rememembers seeing them with his daughter writes, "There are I believe 3 movies and 13 half-hour TV programs based loosely on the Pipi Longstockings books. For the most part the TV programs diverge quite a bit from the book even if everything in the book is on the film. The girl is spontaneous and really funny. Children in the 70s really enjoyed this story which is an underlying feminist story. At first, Peppi looks like a compliant little girl but she is in fact an extremely clever little subversive."

(The) New Adventures of Pipi Longstockings (US, 1988)


(The) Pirate Movie - (US, 1982)

Rather boring movie rather like a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta set in Victorian England. I watched a good bit of it hoping to see a boy in the back ground in a sailor suit or velvet suit. The costumes in the movie were nice, but I didn't see any boys' costumes, at least in the parts I saw. Christopher Atkins plays a teenage role.

(The) Pistol: The Birth of a Legend - (US, 1990)

Well done made for TV movie about "Pistol" Pete Maravich (played by Adam Guin?). He is depicted at about 13 years playing high school basketball. Of course he wears jeans except while playing basketball.

(The) Pit - (US, 1983)

A troubled child befriends a group of small, murderous creatures with a taste for human blood.

(The) Pit and the Pendulum - (US, 1961)

A very nice boy appears briefly in a nice Renaissance-era, Spanish period costume, tights and bloomers. He is about 10 years old.

Pixote - (Brazil, 1981)

Rather brutal, but powerful film about the life homeless street children face in Brazil. The gripping story of their life outside the law. The lead was played by 12-year old Fernando Ramos da Silva who was plucked off the streets of Rio by director Hector Babenco. Fernando won enormous acclaim for the part he played. Unfortunately his career fizzled after a couple of stage plays and 6 months on a Brazilian TV show. He turned to crime. In 1985 he was arrested for burglary and later escaped from jail. In 1987 the police arrived at the scene of a robbery in progress and in the ensuing gun battle, Fernando was shot and killed.

(A) Place at the Table - (US, 1988)

A classmate tries to motivate a community to act when she finds her classmate is suffering from hunger. Lukas Haas plays the son of an unemployed father and his wife in a look at poverty in the United States. A good bit of the films deals with him.

(A) Place for Lovers - (Italy/France, 1968)

Set in Italy, a rather boring romantic film. Not many children are involved in the film. In one scene while the main characters are romping in the hay, two children come by and peek at them. The interesting aspect is that they are both dressed in smocks. The girl wears a white smock with a big blue bow and the boys wears a light-blue smock with a big white bow. He is wearing shorts and white knee socks.

(A) Place in the World - (Argentina/Uruguay, 1992)

A coming of age story, focusing primarily on Argentina's troubling political history. I haven't seen it, but I think it deals primarily with young adults. There may be some flash backs and the protagonist teaches at a school.

(A) Place to be Loved - (US, 1993)

True story of 11-year old Gregory K who is taken for foster care by a Mormon family with eight kids. He decides to divorce his negligent mother. Gregory is played by Tom Guiry.

Places in the Heart - (US, 1984)

A beautifully done movie set in Texas during the 1930s. After the death of her husband, a woman devises a plan to save her farm from foreclosure. She has two children, a boy and girl. The boy, Frank, is about 11 or so and plays his small part very nicely. If I remember right he dresses up in knickers. In one scene he brings the belt to his mother because he says that dad would have strapped him.

Platypus Cove - (Australian, 1982)

A 16-year old teenage orphan must decide whether or not he can compromise his freedom and accept the offer of a home from a kindly Australian tug boat owner. Tony Barry, Carmen Duncan.

Please Don't Eat the Daises - (US, 1960)

Hectic life in a family with four children (all boys?). The mother has trouble keeping up with the boys. The father is a drama critic. I saw this some time ago and I don't remember any interesting scenes. The boys all wear longs. Other kids also pictured wear longs, mostly jeans. There is a nice little school scene where the children do a dance with the teacher.

Please Mr. Balzac - (France, 1956)

A girl writes a racy novel and leaves when her prudish family objects. One scene had two small boys in shorts, but I'm not sure they appear again. The older boy, about 9 or 10 wears proper shorts and knee socks. He is playing cowboys and indians and his father announces he will be taking piano lessons.

Please, Sir - (US, 1971)

A London school teacher encounters discipline problems with an unruly group of students from a slum district.








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Created: January 30, 2000
Last updated: 2:03 PM 5/7/2022