Reefer
Madness. 1936, 68 min. Director: Louis J. Gasnier Producer: George A. Hirliman Production Company: G and H
Production. Audio/Visual: sound, b&w Keywords: exploitation; cult
Considered THE archetypal sensationalized anti-drug movie,
but it's really an exploitation film made to capitalize on the hot taboo subject
of marijuana use. Like many exploitation films of the time, "Reefer
Madness" tried to make a quick buck off of a forbidden subject while
skirting the Motion Picture Production Code of 1930. The Code forbade the
portrayal of immoral acts like drug use. (The illegal drug traffic must not
be portrayed in such a way as to stimulate curiosity concerning the use of, or
traffic in, such drugs; nor shall scenes be approved which show the use of
illegal drugs, or their effects, in detail.)
The film toured around the country for many years - often being re-edited and
re-titled ("Tell Your Children", "Dope Addict", "Doped
Youth", "Love Madness", "The Burning Question"). It was
re-discovered in the early 1970s by NORML (National Organization for the Reform
of Marijuana Laws) and screened again as an example of the government's
demonization of marijuana. NORML may have been confused about the film's
sponsorship since one of the film's distributors, Dwain Esper, testified to the
Arizona Supreme Court that "Reefer Madness" was not a trashy
exploitation film but was actually sponsored by the U.S. Government - a
convincing lie, but a lie nonetheless.
That being said, the film is still quick enjoyable since it dramatizes the
"violent narcotic's ... soul destroying" effects on unwary teens, and
their hedonistic exploits enroute to the bottom.
Also, if you are interested in the rich, uniquely American history of
exploitation films, there are two excellent books on the subject:
"Forbidden
Fruit - The Golden Age of the Exploitation Film",
Bold!
Daring! Shocking! TrueA History of Exploitation Films, 1919 -
1959"
Author: Eric Schaefer, Duke University Press, 1999.
Buy New: $24.95
Average Rating:
Reviewer: wilbrifar
-
- April 12, 2006 Subject: hilarious, but sadly it
served its purpose Though people who understand how truly benign pot is can laugh at this
film, the sad fact is that a large number of Americans still BELIEVE this stuff.
The anti-pot campaign was perpetuated in large part by William Randolph Hearst,
who used "the scourge of marijuana" as an excuse to implement social
reforms aimed at marginalizing blacks and hispanics, who were perceived as being
pot's primary dealers.
The fact that America still spends millions making anti-pot tv commercials and
fighting "the war on drugs" just goes to show how successful the thugs
like Hearst really were.
Oh, well. If you're one of us who know better, light up and have a laugh at this
classic.
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