 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
REEFER MADNESS
* * * * (1936, 68 minutes, Rated PG)
Tell Your Children (That This Movie is a Scream)
Contrary to popular belief, propaganda films aren't limited to World War II. Even back in the '30s,
propaganda films were commonly used in another kind of war - the War on Drugs.
Yes, long before Nancy Reagan made a Very Special Appearance on "Diff'rent Strokes" to Just Say
No, there was a War on Drugs... specifically on the "unspeakable scourge" of marijuana. Reefer
Madness, originally titled Tell Your Children, fights that war one ham-fisted scene after another.
The ham-fistery starts right out of the gate with this scrolling text:
* * * * (1936, 68 minutes, Rated PG)
Tell Your Children (That This Movie is a Scream)
Contrary to popular belief, propaganda films aren't limited to World War II. Even back in the '30s,
propaganda films were commonly used in another kind of war - the War on Drugs.
Yes, long before Nancy Reagan made a Very Special Appearance on "Diff'rent Strokes" to Just Say
No, there was a War on Drugs... specifically on the "unspeakable scourge" of marijuana. Reefer
Madness, originally titled Tell Your Children, fights that war one ham-fisted scene after another.
The ham-fistery starts right out of the gate with this scrolling text:
 |
It goes on like that for three whole minutes. Seriously, I put the whole thing in a Special Side Bar
for you. And while I'm not well-versed in the ganja, it's pretty apparent that the makers of this film
have never, ever been anywhere near marijuana.
After those three minutes of reading, we get more reading! Newspaper headlines tell us all about
the evils of dope, and that we should all "Come! Hear! Listen!" to the esteemed Dr. Alfred Carroll
talk about "Tell Your Children." Which doesn't make a lick of sense to me, but people come out in
droves just the same. After outlining exactly how one can grow, process, roll and even hide pot --
just what you want in an anti-drug film -- Dr. Carroll tells a tale that happened in this very town.
Mae and her beau (and pimp?) Jack are drug dealers who host parties for potential/current clients.
We very quickly see the effects of “the dread Marihuana” when a piano player sneaks off for a joint
for you. And while I'm not well-versed in the ganja, it's pretty apparent that the makers of this film
have never, ever been anywhere near marijuana.
After those three minutes of reading, we get more reading! Newspaper headlines tell us all about
the evils of dope, and that we should all "Come! Hear! Listen!" to the esteemed Dr. Alfred Carroll
talk about "Tell Your Children." Which doesn't make a lick of sense to me, but people come out in
droves just the same. After outlining exactly how one can grow, process, roll and even hide pot --
just what you want in an anti-drug film -- Dr. Carroll tells a tale that happened in this very town.
Mae and her beau (and pimp?) Jack are drug dealers who host parties for potential/current clients.
We very quickly see the effects of “the dread Marihuana” when a piano player sneaks off for a joint
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The motion picture you are about to witness may startle you. It would not have been possible, otherwise, to sufficiently emphasize the frightful toll of the new drug menace which is destroying the youth of America in alarmingly increasing numbers. Marihuana is that drug -- a violent narcotic -- an unspeakable scourge -- The Real Public Enemy Number One! |
| Cheech and Chong, Violence-Mongers |
Meanwhile, Jimmy gives Jake a lift to his
supplier, and smokes up a bunch while waiting
in the car. Naturally, that makes him crazy!
Jimmy drives like a mad man and runs down
an elderly gent trying to cross the road, which is
more the actions of a street punk from a Troma
film than a pothead. What were they lacing their
weed with back in the ‘30s?
Mary goes to Mae’s to find out what the Sam Hill
is going on with her brother and Bill, and gets
assaulted by Jack’s creepy buddy, Ralph. Bill
hallucinates that Mary is hooking up with Ralph,
and goes on one of those crazed pot-fueled
supplier, and smokes up a bunch while waiting
in the car. Naturally, that makes him crazy!
Jimmy drives like a mad man and runs down
an elderly gent trying to cross the road, which is
more the actions of a street punk from a Troma
film than a pothead. What were they lacing their
weed with back in the ‘30s?
Mary goes to Mae’s to find out what the Sam Hill
is going on with her brother and Bill, and gets
assaulted by Jack’s creepy buddy, Ralph. Bill
hallucinates that Mary is hooking up with Ralph,
and goes on one of those crazed pot-fueled
W Just for you, here is the full, glorious opening scroll from Reefer Madness: The motion picture you are about to witness may startle you. It would not have been possible, otherwise, to sufficiently emphasize the frightful toll of the new drug menace which is destroying the youth of America in alarmingly increasing numbers. Marihuana is that drug -- a violent narcotic -- an unspeakable scourge -- The Real Public Enemy Number One! It's first effect is sudden, violent, uncontrollable laughter; then come dangerous hallucinations -- space expands -- time slows down, almost stands still... fixed ideas come next, conjuring up monstrous extravagances -- followed by emotional disturbances, the total inability to direct thought, the loss of all power to resist physical emotions... leading finally to acts of shocking violence... ending often in incurable insanity. In picturing its soul-destroying effects no attempt was made to equivocate. The scenes and incidents, while fictionalized for the purposes of this story, are based upon actual research into the results of Marihuana addiction. If their stark reality will make you think, will make you aware that something must be done to wipe out this ghastly menace, then the picture will not have failed in its purpose... Because the dread Marihuana may be reaching forth next for your son or daughter... or yours... or YOURS! |
| TELL YOUR CHILDREN A SPECIAL SIDE BAR BY NOLAHN |
| What did you think was in that pipe? |
and starts tweaking and twitching like Cosmo Kramer on too
much Mountain Dew.
Jack’s new marks include Jimmy, his sister Mary and her
boyfriend, Bill. They seem like good, wholesome all-American
teens, the kinds who enjoy tennis, hot chocolate and Romeo
& Juliet, though by "teens," I mean "actors well into their '30s."
Good to know that's not limited to '90s television.
When Bill first joins Jimmy at Mae's place, he clearly does not
approve of all the decidedly not family-friendly partying but
crumples like a paper cup under the slightest bit of peer
pressure. Unfortunately for Bill, “the dread Marihuana” is even
more addictive than Angry Birds, and seemingly overnight, Bill
is cheating on Mary, screwing up in school and acting like
Bobby Knight.
much Mountain Dew.
Jack’s new marks include Jimmy, his sister Mary and her
boyfriend, Bill. They seem like good, wholesome all-American
teens, the kinds who enjoy tennis, hot chocolate and Romeo
& Juliet, though by "teens," I mean "actors well into their '30s."
Good to know that's not limited to '90s television.
When Bill first joins Jimmy at Mae's place, he clearly does not
approve of all the decidedly not family-friendly partying but
crumples like a paper cup under the slightest bit of peer
pressure. Unfortunately for Bill, “the dread Marihuana” is even
more addictive than Angry Birds, and seemingly overnight, Bill
is cheating on Mary, screwing up in school and acting like
Bobby Knight.
| Bobby Knight (right), clearly in the midst of a marijuana-fueled tirade. |
berserker frenzies you always head about. Jack steps in, a gun is pulled, and suddenly it’s the
inspiration of Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana,” which I’ve inserted into this review for very little
reason:
inspiration of Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana,” which I’ve inserted into this review for very little
reason:
Yes, Reefer Madness aims for Hamlet-level tragedy: an innocent life is lost, another hangs in the
balance -- “Let’s make an example of this kid!” shouts the jury foreman, because suddenly this
film takes place in Texas. There’s even a character who ends up pleading guilty to “fostering
moral delinquency” (though I can’t imagine how much jail time that would land someone) before
committing suicide. Yet another character is sent to a mental institution for life due to his
REEFER MADNESS!!
So instead of Hamlet-level tragedy, with its cheesy performances and bizarro depictions of
marijuana use, the film is about as sad as a scantly-clad Will Ferrell running wildly in public. It’s
no mystery why it’s such a popular midnight movie or why NORML latched on to it in the ‘70s for
circulation around college campuses: This movie is pure, un-cut camp.
balance -- “Let’s make an example of this kid!” shouts the jury foreman, because suddenly this
film takes place in Texas. There’s even a character who ends up pleading guilty to “fostering
moral delinquency” (though I can’t imagine how much jail time that would land someone) before
committing suicide. Yet another character is sent to a mental institution for life due to his
REEFER MADNESS!!
So instead of Hamlet-level tragedy, with its cheesy performances and bizarro depictions of
marijuana use, the film is about as sad as a scantly-clad Will Ferrell running wildly in public. It’s
no mystery why it’s such a popular midnight movie or why NORML latched on to it in the ‘70s for
circulation around college campuses: This movie is pure, un-cut camp.
REEFER MADNESS was reviewed as part of the Bargain Bin Review's Back
To School month, where we're covering classic b-movies and other such
studious items.
If you're looking for more Reefer Madness, you can check out the site for
the musical based on the film or see what Random Ramblings of a
Demented Doorknob had to say about the numbers "Murder" and "Little
Mary Sunshine" from that show.
And as always, you can enjoy these reviews from our Friends of The 'Bin:
BADMOVIES.ORG
FILMARCADE.NET
INVASION OF THE B-MOVIES
RACHEL'S REEL REVIEWS
To School month, where we're covering classic b-movies and other such
studious items.
If you're looking for more Reefer Madness, you can check out the site for
the musical based on the film or see what Random Ramblings of a
Demented Doorknob had to say about the numbers "Murder" and "Little
Mary Sunshine" from that show.
And as always, you can enjoy these reviews from our Friends of The 'Bin:
BADMOVIES.ORG
FILMARCADE.NET
INVASION OF THE B-MOVIES
RACHEL'S REEL REVIEWS