Hammer Thrillers “Never Take Candy from a Stranger” (1960)

This film from Hammer is astounding. In today’s culture, it seems a bit obvious and tame, but considering when it was produced, it seems prescient. Child abuse and sexual predators have been an issue for all human history. We have become more aware and sensitive to this danger, but it is nothing new. Part of what is astounding about this film is the frank manner in which it addresses the problem.

What is even more amazing, is the subtle, often overlooked, aspect of the problem that is emphasized here. Sexual predators are often helped by the powers and institutions in a culture. Here, the predator is an “important” and powerful person in the city. To expose and stop him might hurt the system. Things are swept under the rug to protect institutions at the expense of the children.

If someone were to set out to film a story that represents the dangers of sexual predators being protected, in churches or the government, you couldn’t do much better than this story.