The Phantom of the Open Hearth

Directed by Fred Barzyk and David R. Loxton

With David Elliott, Barbara Bolton, James Broderick, David S. Howard and William Lampley

This comedy/drama was written by Jean Shepherd, who appears at the beginning and the end and narrates it through voiceover. It tells the story of several events as they occur through the eyes of Ralph, a high-school-aged boy. Ralph is anticipating the upcoming prom and is working up the courage to invite Daphne Bigelow, a beautiful and popular student who does not seem aware of his existence.