Self Defense story
Gerald Clark is a former soldier with PTSD. When he is held at gunpoint by a young robber, he shoots the boy, killing him. Although Gerald is exonerated by the police, the boy's mother, Mrs. Philips, confronts Gerald with a gun, demanding to know why he made three killing shots in a row. After a stand-off, Mrs. Philips puts the gun away, but Gerald is triggered by her gun and shoots her repeatedly. Directed by: Paul Henreid. Story by: John T. Kelley.
13 total · 2 choice · 3 major · 8 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| killing in self-defense | choice | The viewer is made to ponder whether Gerald was justified in shooting an already fleeing liquor store robber not once, not twice, but thrice. While ruled an act of self-defense by the police, Gerald was left feeling deeply guilty over his decision to shoot. |
| remorse | choice | Gerald felt extremely guilty over having shot an 18-year-old boy dead in self-defense and made efforts to help the mother. |
| coping with post-traumatic stress | major | The story is about the traumatized Second World War veteran Gerald Clark and how he goes into kill mode whenever a gun is pointed at him. |
| coping with the death of a child | major | Mrs. Philips was devastated by the death of her 18-year-old, liquor store robbing son, Jimmy. |
| the desire for vengeance | major | Mrs. Philips went to Gerald's apartment with the intention of either terrorizing him at gunpoint or shooting him outright in retribution for Gerald having killed her son in self-defense. |
| combat sports | minor | In his sketch, Alfred Hitchcock feigned to defeat an alleged jiu-jitsu master in a boxing ring by contriving to have him stand on Hitchcock's own foot. |
| funeral rite | minor | Jimmy was laid to rest in a cemetery. |
| law enforcement | minor | The police sergeant Krebs questioned Gerald over having thrice shot a fleeing liquor store robber. |
| manners | minor | In his sketch, Alfred Hitchcock politely pointed out that it is impolite to point. |
| mother and son | minor | Mrs. Phillips mourned for her son, Jimmy. |