1955
Newcomer Jim Stark, alongside troubled youths Judy and Plato, navigates a dysfunctional family life and a new town, leading to a dangerous 'chickie run' where gang leader Buzz tragically dies. The trio forms a bond, seeking refuge in an abandoned mansion, but Buzz's gang pursues them, escalating into a tense standoff. Plato, armed and misunderstood, is fatally shot by the police after fleeing the mansion. Amidst the tragedy, Jim's parents finally grasp his pain, and Jim and Judy find solace in each other's embrace.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A troubled teen, Jim, clashes with local gangs and experiences family dysfunction before a fatal “chickie run” sets off a chain of guilt, friendship, and tragedy.
Open full beat sheetJim Stark is listed as Protagonist. Seventeen-year-old boy, angry, confused, seeking identity and belonging. In the parsed data, Jim Stark is connected to 24 scenes, 60 dialogue lines, 60 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
24 scenes / 60 dialogue linesJudy is listed as Protagonist. Sixteen-year-old girl, seeking love and attention from her father. In the parsed data, Judy is connected to 19 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
19 scenes / 27 dialogue linesJohn 'Plato' Crawford is listed as Supporting. Fifteen-year-old boy from a broken home, seeking a substitute family. In the parsed data, John 'Plato' Crawford is connected to 16 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
16 scenes / 18 dialogue linesFrank Stark is listed as Supporting. Jim's father, unfeathered, anxious, struggles to connect with his son. In the parsed data, Frank Stark is connected to 10 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
10 scenes / 9 dialogue linesRay is listed as Supporting. Juvenile Officer. In the parsed data, Ray is connected to 10 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 3.
10 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCrunch is listed as Supporting. Buzz's first lieutenant. In the parsed data, Crunch is connected to 9 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
9 scenes / 6 dialogue linesGoon is listed as Supporting. Gang member. In the parsed data, Goon is connected to 8 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 10.
8 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMoose is listed as Supporting. Gang member. In the parsed data, Moose is connected to 7 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 10.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJim's Mother is listed as Supporting. Tense, immature, disappointed in her marriage. In the parsed data, Jim's Mother is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesNegro Woman is listed as Supporting. Plato's maid. In the parsed data, Negro Woman is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesBuzz Gundersen is listed as Antagonist. Seventeen-year-old gang leader, aggressive, courts danger. In the parsed data, Buzz Gundersen is connected to 5 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
5 scenes / 22 dialogue linesJudy's Father is listed as Supporting. Junior partner in a law firm, boyish, debonair, critical of Judy. In the parsed data, Judy's Father is connected to 3 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
3 scenes / 5 dialogue linesBeau is listed as Supporting. Judy's young brother. In the parsed data, Beau is connected to 2 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJim's Grandma is listed as Supporting. Chic, domineering, irritant in the household. In the parsed data, Jim's Grandma is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJudy's Mother is listed as Supporting. Self-centered, threatened by Judy's youth. In the parsed data, Judy's Mother is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 14.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA man is harassed and assaulted by a group of teenagers led by Buzz.
Buzz GundersenJim finds a mechanical monkey left behind after the assault.
Jim StarkJim, Judy, and Plato are processed at the police station.
Jim Stark, Judy, John 'Plato' Crawford, Ray, Negro WomanRay interviews Judy about her relationship with her father.
Judy, RayJim's parents arrive to pick him up.
Jim Stark, Frank Stark, Jim's Mother, Jim's GrandmaRay interviews Plato about his behavior.
John 'Plato' Crawford, Ray, Negro WomanRay interviews Jim about his family and his anger.
Jim Stark, RayJim prepares for his first day of school.
Jim Stark, Frank Stark, Jim's Mother, Jim's GrandmaJim exits his house and encounters Judy and Beau in the alley.
Jim Stark, Judy, BeauJim and Plato attend a lecture at the Planetarium while Buzz's gang mocks Jim.
Jim Stark, John 'Plato' Crawford, Judy, Buzz Gundersen, Crunch, GoonBuzz slashes Jim's tire and challenges him to a knife fight.
Jim Stark, John 'Plato' Crawford, Judy, Buzz Gundersen, Crunch, GoonJim returns home and has an awkward encounter with his father.
Jim Stark, Frank StarkJudy talks to her father in the backyard.
Judy, Judy's FatherJudy's family eats dinner; Judy's father slaps her after she tries to kiss him.
Judy, Judy's Father, Judy's Mother, BeauJim's father tries to bond with Jim; Jim reveals his bloody shirt and asks about honor.
Jim Stark, Frank StarkThe chickie run; Buzz and Jim drive cars toward the cliff; Buzz dies.
Jim Stark, Judy, John 'Plato' Crawford, Buzz Gundersen, Crunch, GoonJim confesses the accident to his parents; they argue about going to the police.
Jim Stark, Frank Stark, Jim's MotherCrunch and Moose argue about the police and their missing friend while Moose's father yells at them to go home.
Crunch, Moose, GoonJim tries to find Ray at the police station but is told he is out on a call.
Jim Stark, RayJudy's father receives a phone call from Jim and hangs up, worried.
Judy's Father, Judy's MotherCrunch and his gang confront Plato at his home, demanding to know where Jim is.
John 'Plato' Crawford, Crunch, Goon, Negro WomanPlato retrieves a gun from his mother's room despite the maid's protests.
John 'Plato' Crawford, Negro WomanJim and Judy meet in the garage and discuss their feelings and the danger they are in.
Jim Stark, JudyJim's parents discover a dead chicken nailed to their door.
Frank Stark, Jim's MotherPlato arrives at Jim's house and encounters Jim's father.
John 'Plato' Crawford, Frank StarkJim, Judy, and Plato explore the deserted mansion.
Jim Stark, Judy, John 'Plato' CrawfordThe trio rests in the solarium while Plato shares his feelings of loneliness.
Jim Stark, Judy, John 'Plato' CrawfordJim and Judy share an intimate moment in the library.
Jim Stark, JudyCrunch and his gang arrive at the mansion to hunt for Jim.
Crunch, Goon, MooseThe gang corners Plato, leading to a confrontation.
Jim Stark, Judy, John 'Plato' Crawford, Crunch, Goon, MoosePlato runs from Jim and Judy, firing his gun, before fleeing the mansion.
Jim Stark, Judy, John 'Plato' CrawfordPlato runs toward the police, ignoring their commands to halt.
Jim Stark, Judy, John 'Plato' Crawford, Ray, Crunch, GoonRay drives Jim's parents toward the planetarium.
Frank Stark, Jim's Mother, RayJim and Judy discuss Plato while searching for him.
Jim Stark, JudyPlato breaks into the planetarium.
John 'Plato' Crawford, RayPolice surround the planetarium; Jim's parents arrive.
Jim Stark, Judy, Frank Stark, Jim's Mother, Ray, Negro WomanJim finds Plato inside the theater and tries to calm him.
Jim Stark, Judy, John 'Plato' CrawfordPlato is shot by police after running out of the planetarium.
Jim Stark, Judy, John 'Plato' Crawford, Frank Stark, Jim's Mother, RayKnow the Millertown bluff? Draw him a picture, Chicken Little. Eight o'clock. Cookie, you call Moose and get a couple cars. We're going to have us some real kicks. Little chickie-run. You been on chickie-runs before?
Hey, I'm going to open the door now. You'll be able to see me and you can shoot me if you want, but just remember one thing, Plato--You're my friend. That means a lot to me.
If you don't want trouble, I know a place we can go-- It's a big mansion and we could sneak around there and they wouldn't even know. You could be safe--
"Man in the Moon, how came you there-- Up in the sky where you are shining-- Floating so high in the frosty air--? Oh, say--Man in the Moon!"--
Listen--I took a steak out of the freezer. I thought we could have a real old-fashioned stag party--just the two of us, what do you say?
Yeah--that's pretty close. How about a little closer, Toreador? Cut off a button and you get to join the club!
I swear, sometimes, you just want to hold onto somebody! Judy, what am I going to do? I can't go home again.
We used to sing it in school. Don't look at me with such horror. They had schools in those days.
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