Cool Breeze (1972) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A released felon builds a diamond-heist crew whose success is threatened by concealed greed, accidents, and double crosses.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Prisoner Studies Opportunity

Sidney Lord Jones receives early parole from San Quentin. His study of diamond-trade magazines inspires a plan to steal valuable diamonds.

Key Events

• San Quentin Parole Hearing — Jones is granted early release by the parole board. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones Location: San Quentin
• Studying Diamond Trade — While imprisoned, Jones studies trade magazines about the underworld diamond business. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones Location: San Quentin
• Heist Idea Forms — The diamond-trade research motivates Jones to plan a major robbery. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones Location: San Quentin
• Return To Los Angeles — After release, Jones returns to Los Angeles to pursue his plan. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones Location: Los Angeles

The Dangerous Proposal

Jones returns to Los Angeles and presents the robbery to Bill Mercer and Finian. The plan depends on Mercer providing $50,000 in seed money.

Key Events

• The Proposal — Jones presents the diamond-heist idea to Mercer and Finian. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian Location: Los Angeles
• Funding Requirement — Jones explains that the operation requires $50,000 in starting funds. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian Location: Los Angeles
• Mercer Financial Trouble — Mercer secretly faces financial difficulty and has little available money. Characters: Bill Mercer Location: Los Angeles
• Mercer Agrees — Despite his financial problems, Mercer agrees to provide the requested funds. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian Location: Los Angeles
• Hidden Greed — Mercer secretly intends to keep the entire robbery haul. Characters: Bill Mercer Location: Los Angeles

A Bank Behind The Heist

Jones describes a future community bank for black-owned businesses and its possible laundering function. Mercer agrees to fund the operation while hiding his intention to keep the loot.

Key Events

• Community Bank Proposal — Jones proposes using the profits to establish a bank for black-owned businesses. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian Location: Los Angeles
• The Laundering Purpose — Jones also says the bank could launder proceeds from illegal activities. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian Location: Los Angeles
• Crew Assembly Begins — Jones and Mercer begin assembling the men needed for the robbery. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Los Angeles

Building The Robbery Crew

Jones and Mercer assemble the robbery group, including Travis Battle as the muscle man. The intended target is a Pacific Coast diamond brokerage holding millions in diamonds.

Key Events

• Travis Joins Crew — Travis Battle joins the crew as its recognized muscle man. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Travis Battle Location: Los Angeles
• Specialist Roles Set — The organizers assign specialized roles within the robbery group. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Los Angeles
• Diamond Brokerage Targeted — The crew targets diamonds valued at three million dollars. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Largest diamond brokerage on the Pacific Coast
• The Robbery Begins — The assembled group carries out the planned diamond robbery. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Largest diamond brokerage on the Pacific Coast

Success And Betrayal

The group successfully robs the diamond brokerage. Their victory quickly becomes unstable as accidents and double crosses threaten the crew.

Key Events

• The Robbery Begins — The assembled group carries out the planned diamond robbery. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Largest diamond brokerage on the Pacific Coast
• Diamonds Secured — The robbery succeeds and the group obtains the diamond haul. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Largest diamond brokerage on the Pacific Coast
• Success Turns Unstable — After the successful robbery, the group becomes caught in unhappy accidents and double crosses. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Los Angeles
• Double Crosses Spread — The crew’s cooperation is threatened by betrayal and competing interests over the loot. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Los Angeles
• The Loot’s Consequences — The robbery’s proceeds become the focus of the crew’s escalating conflict. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Los Angeles
• Heist Fallout — The account closes on the crew’s dangerous aftermath of accidents and double crosses. Characters: Sidney Lord Jones, Bill Mercer, Finian, Travis Battle Location: Los Angeles

Story Breakdown

• Parole And Research — Jones leaves prison with knowledge that transforms his future ambitions.
  • Early Release — The parole board grants Jones early release from San Quentin.
  • Diamond Magazines — Jones studies trade magazines about the underworld diamond business.
• The Heist Proposal — Jones brings his robbery concept to potential collaborators in Los Angeles.
  • Los Angeles Return — Jones returns to Los Angeles after leaving prison.
  • Mercer And Finian — Jones proposes the operation to Bill Mercer and Finian.
• Funding And Deception — The heist depends on Mercer’s money, but his private intentions contradict Jones’s plan.
  • Seed Money — Jones requests $50,000 to establish the operation.
  • Secret Greed — Mercer agrees to help while secretly planning to keep the loot.
• The Community Bank — Jones gives the robbery a broader financial purpose beyond personal enrichment.
  • Black-Owned Businesses — Jones wants the profits to support a community bank for black-owned businesses.
  • Illegal Proceeds — He also envisions the bank laundering illegal business proceeds.
• Crew Formation — The organizers gather specialists for the planned robbery.
  • Travis Battle — Travis joins the group as its well-known muscle man.
  • Assigned Specialists — The assembled men are selected for distinct roles in the heist.
• Diamond Robbery — The crew executes its plan against a major Pacific Coast brokerage.
  • Three Million Target — The intended haul consists of diamonds worth three million dollars.
  • Successful Operation — The group completes the robbery and secures the diamond haul.
• Betrayal And Fallout — The successful robbery produces instability rather than lasting security.
  • Unhappy Accidents — The group becomes caught in a sequence of unhappy accidents.
  • Double Crosses — Betrayals threaten the crew after the robbery.

Directed by

Barry Pollack

Key Cast

• Thalmus Rasulala — Sidney Lord Jones
• Judy Pace — Obalese Eaton
• Lincoln Kilpatrick — Lt. Brian Knowles
• Sam Laws — Finian
• Margaret Avery — Lark