Private Project

Be Bop Babies, Vignettes of Long ago

RT: 17:17

In 1955, Rock 'n' Roll music, and movie legends James Dean, Natalie Wood and Elvis Presley, all exploded onto the national scene at the same time. As they rocketed into prominence they produced a huge cultural shift in the consciousness of teenagers. This same decade also saw the entrance of the birth of television into the homes of America.

It was an extremely rare event for a teenage girl to be given her own movie camera in the 1950s, much less a teenage girl, but I was given that gift. My friends and I started filming ourselves and our parties as we came of age during the most fun era of the 20th century. Some 60+ years later, I now share this gift with others to enjoy and to experience this last age of innocence. Sometimes it feels as if was all one glorious moment in time, like Camelot, never to exist again. I feel fortunate to have some of these moments documented on film for others to experience this fun era of joy and innocence.

RT:17:17

  • Gail Reaben
    Director
    Tick Tock Clock; Cuban Dreams
  • Gail Reaben
    Writer
    TickTock Clock; Cuban Dreams
  • Gail Reaben
    Producer
    Tick Tock Clock; Cuban Dreams
  • h
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Rock 'n' Roll, 1950s Era, American Graffiti, Texas Teenagers, 1950s Dances, Christmas
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 28, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    30,250 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    8mm film, Betacam SP
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Court Metrage, Cannes Film Festival, 2006
    Cannes
    France
    May 23, 2006
    Official Selection
  • Jecheon International Film & Music Festival, Korea, 2007
    Jecheon
    Korea, Republic of
    August 18, 2021
    Official Selection
  • PBS Television, The Territory Series with Claremont-Ferrand Film Festival, France 2007

    United States
    August 18, 2021
    Selection for "The Territory" International Television Series
  • NXNE Film and Music Festival, 2008, Toronto
    Cannes
    France
    Screened
  • Worldfest Film Festival, Houston, Platinum Remi Award, 2006
    Houston
    United States
    Yes
    Remi Winner, Platinum Award, Best Documentary Short
Director Biography - Gail Reaben

Gail Reaben has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Film, is an award winning documentary filmmaker, artist and photographer as well as a published writer of mystical phenomenon. In addition, to her English and Irish heritage, she is part Cherokee Indian. Living in Houston since childhood, has also lived and worked in New York, Paris and the Island of Jamaica. Educated at The University of Oklahoma, Sam Houston State, Rice University, Glassell School of Art, Kingston School of Art and University of St. Thomas.

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Director Statement

My wish is that Be Bop Babies, Vignettes of Long Ago, brings the viewer into the innocent and fun filled adventures of 1950s teenagers living a rock 'n' roll dream that existed in just one, glorious, explosive, moment in time.