Drew Pearson: [opening speech] To most of us, the city where juvenile crime flourishes always seems to be 'the city across the river'. But don't kid yourself. It could be your city, your street, your house. Although this story happens in Brooklyn, it could just as well happen in any other large city where slum conditions undermine personal security and take their toll in juvenile delinquency. You may be lucky; you may be living where such conditions don't exist. But for the next 89 minutes, you're a kid named Frankie Cusack, going down a confused road toward gangsterdom, toward murder. You live in Brooklyn, just across the river from Manhattan, where Flatbush meets the slum. You're Frankie Cusack and this is your story. This is the main street of your neighbourhood, where you hang out with your gang. Busy by day, teeming at night. This is your country club, the Happy Times pool room, and this is your street. That tenement over there on the right is 62 years old. You were born there and it's the only home you ever had.
