Booked for Safekeeping (1960)

★★★★★ · Put That Knife Down, OK? We're Your Friends · Christine Hennig · 2004-01-11

This early 60s police training film, made in New Orleans, was designed to educate officers in how to handle people who are mentally ill, a type of situation that is more common in police work than you might think. The film is quite well-made and realistic, showing us scenes of police officers handling a confused, senile old lady making a scene at a grocery store; a depressed man who tried to kill himself by jumping off a bridge; a frightened, paranoid psychotic armed with a knife; and a catatonic who doesn'tspeak English who suddenly goes from a state of stupor to a violent attack. The main…

★★★★★ · Then an now · vspar · 2005-10-15

Excellent example of a civilized society of the past compared to the present. Understanding the frustrations of the newage police with the never ending law of rights. Excellent film, recommended. Especially, to refresh the memeory of what was the true "good old days".

★★★★★ · Way back before a the curruption of the machine · BakedDon · 2006-01-22

Now police are security for hire to the global elite. With the scary black uniform and helmet they look like storm troopers. Oh NO, the Police state is comming and the prison planet is here.

★★★★ · Cops, 1960s style! · Spuzz · 2003-01-31

In this riveting docu-drama, we follow the new Orleans police as they deal with mentally disturbed people. The first half of the movie is the most amazing, with great acting, amazing editing and razor sharp camerawork. The second half somewhat slows down, but provides a nice flow after the intense first half. Reccomended.

★★★★ · Times have changed · Seattle_guy · 2005-12-04

The mentally ill person in the film would of been shot and killed by a "modern" any twon USA police force. Ever since this "war on drugs" farce started we have lost rights we used to have. A search warrant is signed by a judge just because the cops want it. Police over react to everything. They shut down major freeways for hours because of some minor incident. They pull their guns and kill to fast these days. Sadly it is the police against the citizens. If we are not one of them we are their enemies. Police don't care anymore they are just feed up and have seen to much to care. I wish I had…

★★★★ · A Very Artistic Training Film · Pleonic · 2011-02-05

One of the most fascinating police training films here on the Archive. This is at least how police were supposed to deal with the mentally ill in 1960's New Orleans. The scenes of the police trying to calm and restrain the subject are quite interesting to watch.