Contrary to the synopsis, this story takes place in the early to mid seventies. Speaking from my own experience, growing up in West L.A. was not all it was cracked up to be. There were definite economic differences and lots of drugs on both sides of the tracks. The irony of all this was that the kids from the lowest rung on the economic ladder, with absolutely nothing to lose, completely changed the face of youth/x-treme sports as we know it. Living in that period, I can tell you that because of the Dogtown crew, kids threw away their balls and bats, and started looking at skating again. And this phenomena wasn't limited to just skating. X-treme BMX, Snowboards, and other sports were spawned by what the Dogtown/Z-boys were doing in those days. Dogtown and Z-boys captures this period perfectly. It is a perfect glimpse of the surf/skate scene in the mid seventies. But also has a much deeper message, that even the lowest among us can have a profound effect on the culture as we knew it then, and know it now.

Bob
srfdad@sbcglobal.net