SPECIAL TREAT: FIVE FINGER DISCOUNT (TV)
Summary
One in this series of irregularly scheduled programs for children. This made-for-television drama is about Cornelia, "Corny," a teen shoplifter who quickly learns how her petty crimes affect the entire community.
The program begins by introducing Corny, who had to leave her beloved small Indiana town and move to the city to accommodate her parents' jobs. Struggling in school, and struggling to find friends in the new town, Corny decides to try out for her school's cheerleading squad. She eventually makes the squad as an alternate, which she ultimately turns down. More importantly, she befriends Angela at the tryout, a friendly but less-than-cool classmate. The next day at the mall, Corny steals some skating accessories, upsetting Angela. Longing for her life back on the farm, Corny continues trying to forget her sadness with more shoplifting -- next filching some lipstick.
Her happiness rising, Corny starts talking to the more popular kids in school and eventually goads Angela into helping her steal a sweater from a shop run by a kindly old friend. Getting more confident in her "five finger discount" abilities, Corny's hubris leads to her brazenly stealing hamster supplies from a local pet shop -- and getting caught. Corny's parents arrive at the police station where she's being held and are outraged to learn of their daughter's indiscretions. The sergeant tells Corny that, if she'd stolen from two stores, she could be booked on burglary charges -- a felony. As it's a first offense, the sergeant releases Corny to her parents' custody, providing she's remorseful and refuses to commit further offenses. The sergeant further details how shoplifting affects storeowners, forcing them to close shop and putting people out of work.
Barred by her parents from going to the mall for the next six months, a depressed Corny soon finds herself a minor celebrity at school. Buoyed by the newfound attention, Corny considers resuming her life of shoplifting. Torn between doing the "right thing" and the need to be cool, Corny opts for the latter. However, a chance encounter hits too close to home and rattles her conscience. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 1, 1977 4:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:30
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:16995
- GENRE: Drama; Children's
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Nancy Malone)
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1977
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Nancy Malone … Producer
- Bob Papazian … Associate Producer
- Richard Bennett … Director
- Jerry McNeely … Writer
- Charles Albertine … Music by
- Dawn Lyn … Cast, Corny
- Dana Laurita … Cast, Angela
- Peter Donat … Cast, David
- Nancy Malone … Cast, Jenna
- Elizabeth Allen … Cast, Sgt. Juden
- Harriet Nelson … Cast, Mrs. Summerland
- Shannon Terhune … Cast, Laurie
- Cherilyn Parsons … Cast, Katie
- Betsy McNeely … Cast, Kerry
- Diann McCannon … Cast, Mrs. Haberman
- Julie Oda … Cast, Kim
- Chris Peterson … Cast, Keith
- Jeannie Wilson … Cast, Cosmetic Clerk
- Richard Aguirre … Cast, Card Clerk
- Vahan Moosekian … Cast, Clerk
- Sandy Freeman … Cast, Woman
- Richard Balin … Cast, Man