mad about movies: blog 
mad about movies' blog
refer madness - review
by TidbitPublished Jun 19, 2008
Views: 456
This one is for djofraleigh who asked if we'd do any earlier films.
YES - there is actually a link embedded in this where you can watch the whole 68 min movie on Googlevideo.
This is camp if ever there was. The humor is that was a government documentary film (like a propaganda film) done in 1936 for the sole purpose of scaring the jeebers out of people using marijuana and demon weed. It ended up being a clasic cult film.
The story line, like so many I think we all saw in high school (at least I did in the late 80s - you know - those after school specials?) is about high school students who gets lured by those *evil* pushers and all the things that happen. And they get downright dramatic! Eh-hem... even murder! da-da-dada
The film actually never really got anywhere. But around the 70s sometime it popped up and grew as a cult comedy.
This documentary even inspired a Broadway musical!!
I get the impression that this was really targeted at parents - to scare the parents more than the youngsters of the time. LOL Guess it was the "Tell Your Children!!" at the end LOL
In all seriousness - the subject matter should be serious, but even I have to admit, I found it funny. I found it hard to take seriously. But if I put myself back in the 1936 mindset? It probably would have made me the most paranoid parent in the world!!!!
20th Century Fox I do beleive remade this film in 2004. And I think there was even a musical movie version made off the Broadway musical.
Your thoughts?
Filed under: Movies & Movie Reviews
close11 Comments
![[no avatar]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v1/images/golo/noavatar.gif){kind=avatar}
(25 votes) raleigh man, 39, dies in mo-ped crash
(25 votes) poll: people don't trust politicians
(20 votes) holiday speed enforcement campaign under way
Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.
June 19, 2008 6:19 p.m.
June 19, 2008 6:37 p.m.
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
June 19, 2008 6:40 p.m.
June 19, 2008 6:41 p.m.
Marijuana is to Hemp what Cerveza is to Beer, Spanish ! Why do they use the Spanish word? Can you say Hoodwinked?
Funny how this all came about just as DuPont introduced Nylon into the marketplace.
Convenient Coincedence or Deliberate Deception??
June 19, 2008 6:56 p.m.
Do you know how much the price of Pot would go up if it were legalized and subjected to taxes and law suits?
GOLO member since January 20, 2008
June 19, 2008 7:00 p.m.
Besides if a poor slob can produce a so called $84,000,000.00 worth under some trees in Eastern NC, Look at what some farmers and a few tractors could produce. It's time Gov't looks at it as a viable commodity. Anyway, it's not really the Gov't per say it's the DEA, They need it to justify the outragous expeditures, it's a cash cow for them, It's been 75 years, how's that war working out?
Ask yourselves this question and be intellectually honest.
Do you think Cannabis is illegal because it is harmful and the gov't is trying to protect us?
Before you answer think of alcohol and tobacco. Tobacco and Alcohol are allowed to take the lives of untold addicts and as many innocent bystanders as their concern for trans-fat is of greatest significance. Don't know about you but I have yet to see anyone die as a result of an Overdose of Hamburger or Driving Under the Influence of French Fries!
June 19, 2008 7:23 p.m.
I'm with you DJ - pot should be totally legal. And no I'm not saying that becase I probably would partake LOL. I think it is less deteriorating than alcohol (body wise) yet we sell it. Detox from alcoholism can be deadly. Yet we sell it and tax it
GOLO member since December 18, 2007
June 19, 2008 7:24 p.m.
How's it coming along?
June 19, 2008 7:37 p.m.
GOLO member since July 22, 2007
June 19, 2008 8:16 p.m.
Please log in to add comment.