this eloquent and simple film make a remarkably clear statement about a teenager and his father . though a theatrical release and it have a make for tv quality . we can attribute this to the director and john frankenheimer and who learn his craft in the early day of live television in new york city . indeed and he direct the teleplay on which the film be base and deal a blow and on the cbs drama series climax . young stranger represent his hollywood debut . after a hiatus of four year and during which he would do more television and he return to direct the young savage with burt lancaster and and a year after that and all fall down with warren beatty and angela lansbury . the casting be competent with james daly and kim hunter ( particularly good ) play the parent of the title character perform by james macarthur ( his first theatrical film ) who play the same role in the television version which be his first appearance on the small screen . look for james gregory and whit bissell in support role .