Reefer Madness (Restored Edition)

Starring:Dorothy Short, Kenneth Craig, Lillian Miles, Dave O'Brien, Thelma White, Carleton Young, Warren McCollum, Patricia Royale, Joseph Forte, Harry Harvey Jr., Phil Dunham, Walter McGrail, Ted Wray, William Royle, Mary MacLaren, Edward LeSaint, Lester Dorr, Dan Wolheim, Frank O'Connor, Bobby Burns
Director: Louis J. Gasnier
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

If the idea of making a musical out of Roger Corman's Z-movie quickie The Little Shop of Horrors sounded weird, stick around for the all-singing, all-dancing Reefer Madness. Deliriously based on the notorious 1936 anti-pot social-guidance film, this is an ultra-campy enterprise that lands somewhere between Rocky Horror and a John Waters comedy. Christian Campbell and the spritzy Kristen Bell play the innocent teens lured into a soul-sapping cloud of marijuana dependence by pencil-mustached pusher Steven Weber and his long-suffering dame, Ana Gasteyer. The cast includes femme fatale Amy Spanger and a cameo by Neve Campbell, who dances her way through one sequence. The musical was written and composed by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney, who re-create some of the kookiest scenes from the original movie ("Faster! Faster!"). Their funniest idea is to frame the sordid saga with a black-and-white story of a government agent showing a public-service film to horrified small-town citizens; he's played by the reliably sinister Alan Cumming, who also pops up in a variety of guises in the film-within-the-film. The only problem with this made-for-Showtime version of the stage show is that camp tends to wear thin, especially at 109 minutes, despite the expert song parodies. Even the original hour-long Reefer Madness got old quick. --Robert Horton

Description

Based on the propaganda film from 1936 that has become a cult hit, Reefer Madness is the height of camp entertainment! Framed as a "documentary", a straight-laced high school principal (Alan Cumming) seeks to impart his wisdom about the demon weed by telling a frightful tale about the fate of two innocent teens who fall under the spell of the drugs. Filled with outrageously funny and musical performances by Neve Campbell, Christian Campbell, Kristen Bell and Steven Weber, Reefer Madness is the feel good event of the year!

Customer Reviews:

My Favorite Musical!.......2007-05-31

This is just outrageous. Its an explosive making of the musical for the movie screen and well worth the effort and money. If you are going to buy one musical dvd, you mine as well purchase this one, not only for yourself, but all of your friends too, who will get a real kick out of this trip!

As a bonus feature, it has the original 1936 propaganda film that inspired the musical (still entitled Reefer Madness), where you will see for yourself how little the musical actually had to embellish to mock it. Many people see it as comic gold on its own.

I recommend this highly, no matter who you are. Everyone should appreciate a little satire now and then and this one takes you on a ride that you won't get anywhere else!

Reefer Madnes, What the hu?.......2007-05-15

Well...I'll be truthful I bought this DVD because of one reason; Kristen Bell.
I'm a big fan of hers from her U.S. TV show `Veronica Mars' and wanted to
see her other roles, so if you reading this review because of the same reason,
I can tell you this, you do see a different side to her. If you don't know
who she is, you should find out by buying the 1st Season of Veronica Mars, TOTALLY EXCELLENT!!

Back to topic...the film is basically a Mickey-take (remake also) on the propaganda movies of the 50's. This one set in an average American town and their visited by Government agent; Alan Cummings (what a pain, more later) and told of the evils of Marihuana. There are various song and dance routines along the way. Kristen apparently reprising her role from the stage show where she plays the towns Sandra Dee and who's boyfriend becomes addicted to the aforementioned drug, every scene is OTT, in the happy faces and tripping when under the influence (especially Kristen in a black outfit). Neve `Scream` Campbell has a small singing cameo as a waitress, but it's that Alan Cummings (I told you), he's so irritating that when ever he`s on I just had to forward past him.

The film is definitely an acquired taste, as not everyone is going to enjoy it; it has a kind of Grease (kids in school), Rocky horror (quirky songs and imagery) mix to it with out being anywhere near as good as either; the song and dance routines are entertaining, but the humour sort of went over my head, I'm either to young, don't get American humour, or it just wasn't funny. So I'll some up if it wasn't for Kristen Bell and a couple of the song/dance routines I don't think I'd even watch it again.

Excellent movie AND musical!.......2007-04-10

Love this!

Never got a chance to see it on stage, but I couldn't imagine it being any better. And it has Christian Campbell and Kristen Bell starring in the roles they originated! Snap!

Everyone in this cast is brilliant. It looks like it was a fun movie to make. Keep your eye out for the one part where Weber can't stop smiling, even though he's supposed to be horrified.

Highly recommended!!

This is the best movie I've ever seen!.......2007-04-02

This is really a great film. I've watched it dozens of times, and it is flawless. I don't mean "without mistakes." There are a few. But the structure is wonderful, the acting and singing and dancing are great, the costumes are fun to look at, the choreography is brilliant, the sets are amazing, the dialogue is clever and memorable, and the music sticks with you. Both Christian Campbell and Kristin Bell turn in stellar performances as Jimmy and Mary, the star-crossed lovers who want to be just like Romeo and Juliet because neither one of them has bothered to read the ending of the play. Amy Spanger manages to combine dancing that runs the gamut from Buzby Berkley to Bollywood extravaganza with physical comedy in the tradition of Carol Burnett. At one point, she delivers a seductive line to Jimmy, then turns and walks straight into a wall; at another, she has multiple collisions with a wall and John Kassir. John Kassir is great as Ralph, who grows crazier and crazier as the plot progresses. Steven Weber sheds the nice guy image (think Brian from Wings) as Jack, a pusher so evil that we think he doesn't have a heart until Mae (Ana Gasteyer) proves otherwise. Alan Cumming is brilliant as the lecturer. And the lecture audience delivers perfect reactions throughout. This film has everything -- satire with a satyr, zombies, cannibalism, a lethal hoe, and even Jesus (Robert Torti), who says just what you'd expect him to if he were to appear in Vegas. I could go on and on, but you really ought to see it for yourself. Five stars, no question.

Didn't know what to expect...Now it's one of my favorite movies........2007-03-09

I'm a fan of musicals, specifically those that deal with strange/funny subject matter: Cannibal the Musical, Bat Boy the musical, Avenue Q, South Park movie, Little Shop, Rent, Spelling Bee...and now Reefer Madness.

I had just finished the first 2 seasons of Veronica Mars on DVD, a very surprisingly good show, starring Kristen Bell. In checking out her IMDb, I saw she had done something called "Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical." A few weeks went by and eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I ordered it. I had some friends over that night and we all watched it. WOW. We were blown away. Not only was it good, the songs were catchy, the dialogue is incredibly witty, it has so many laugh out loud moments...

I would recommend this movie to not only anyone who likes musicals and slightly taboo things, but to anyone who just wants to watch a great and underrated movie. Slight warning: As I said, this is slightly taboo subject matter, including a song starring Jesus, and another song with a light-hearted bondage scene. So, if you're some kind of old prude who gets offended easily, you might want to pass and run along to your Bible study group.

As a bonus, the dvd comes with a cool and fun behind the scenes documentary and commentary! AND the ENTIRE original "Reefer Madness" from 1936. So, this DVD is really TWO movies! Snap!

In summary: BUY THIS MOVIE. In the first week of my owning it, I had watched it nearly 10 times because I'd just turn it on so I could listen to the songs. Buy! Buy! Buy! Now! Now! NOW!

Average customer rating:

Oh, the misery.
You've fallen and you can't get up...but somehow you're still higher than a bunch of third graders on Ritalin...
Hilarious...because its horrible
It's 10 o'clock. Do you know why your children are cackling insanely?
Well, it's funny sometimes anyways...

Reefer Madness (Restored Edition)
Starring: Dorothy Short , Kenneth Craig , Lillian Miles , Dave O'Brien , and Thelma White
Director: Louis J. Gasnier
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Cocaine Fiends
Marihuana
House on Haunted Hill
Carnival of Souls
Night of the Living Dead (Millennium Edition)

ASIN: B00018D3XM
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Amazon.com essential video

Although it was made in 1936, Reefer Madness didn't become a cult hit until 1972 when the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) rescued it from the Library of Congress film archive. Thereafter, it was a mainstay on the midnight movie circuit. And it's easy to see why. The ostensible story involves a group of upstanding young high school students who succumb to the allure of the "killer weed." What follows, as if by natural progression, is a catalog of crimes that includes hit-and-run driving, loose morals, rape, murder, suicide, and my personal favorite, permanent insanity! The action is at times so hysterical, in both senses, that you may forget to inhale. Honors go to the wild-eyed, cackling hophead David O'Brien; his performance reaches a raw intensity that is hard to imagine. One measure of this film's pervasive influence is the extent to which its title continues to be invoked in news stories about decriminalization and medical marijuana. Such posterity for unintentional humor must be rare. A great film to see stoned, man. --Jim Gay

Amazon.com

A propaganda film from 1936 that has become a cult hit because of its dated outlook on marijuana use, Reefer Madness is the height of camp entertainment. Framed as a "documentary," the film is narrated by a high school principal imparting his wisdom and experiences with the demon weed. The bulk of the film focuses on almost slapstick scenes of high school kids smoking pot and quickly going insane, playing "evil" jazz music, being committed, and going on a murder spree. Meant to be an important and affecting cautionary tale, this dated black-and-white film's true value is in its many entertaining moments of unintended hilarity. --Robert Lane

Description

Reefer Madness is a campy cult favorite first released in 1938 as a propaganda film meant to scare America's youth off of drug. In this quintessential classic, innocent teens partake of the "demon weed" only to find that one puff plunges them into a hilarious web of murder, sex, lunacy and jazz music.

Customer Reviews:

Oh, the misery........2007-06-26

Reefer Madness (Louis J. Gasnier, 1936)

For some reason, this weekend, there was a treasure trove of old movies I've always wanted to see scattered across our television. I started Sunday night's Depression-era extravaganza with Reefer Madness. Now, I'm fond of saying of bad movies--those with a certain élan, anyway--that they're probably better watched through a haze of smoke that can only be generated by certain controlled substances referenced in the title of this film. This is the exact opposite; while I know it's grown to be a cult favorite among some of my, shall we say, more indulgent friends, I can't imagine a movie being any more of a buzz-kill than Reefer Madness.

It's amazing how much influence Leni Riefenstahl's Triumph of the Will had already had a year later; compared to earlier propaganda films, at least, Reefer Madness is a triumph of subtlety and decorum. That said, it would probably have been pulled off a whole lot better (and, ultimately, been a whole lot more dangerous) had the people who put this film together decided to exercise the merest standards in casting for this movie. In a film in which my main outrage should be directed to the absolute idiocy of the "scientific studies" on which the movie's script is supposedly based, I can't find it in myself to get past the quality of these actors. The first scene where we meet Bill Harper (Kenneth Craig) and his girlfriend Mary (Dorothy Short) is so painfully acted that I almost choked. On my water. Uhhhh, yeah, water, that's it.

It only gets worse from there. Honestly, it really is one of those movies so bad you have to see it to believe it. A lot of people seem to think that it's bad enough to tip over the line into that sort of cheesy brilliance one associates with Night of the Lepus, but it didn't catch me that way. Well, at least I can say I've seen it now. *

You've fallen and you can't get up...but somehow you're still higher than a bunch of third graders on Ritalin..........2007-04-17

Reefer Madness remains a cult favorite to this day. Originally produced to scare parents into keeping their children away from the scourge of marijuana, the film faded into obscurity after a brief while. It was rediscovered during the 1960s when, of course, all types of experimentation and drug use spiked up much higher than ever before. People then found the film to be amusing--and they are right. Reefer Madness was produced with good intentions but quite frankly it's a hoot to watch and sometimes you just can't help but laugh.

This generous DVD offers us both the restored black and white version released in 1936 as well as a colorized version. You can also choose to listen to a commentary during the movie or you can simply watch it straight through on your own. Mike Nelson of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" does a great job with his running commentary. Either way, the film's scare tactics prove to be too lame for today's much more street wise people. If you want to scare kids away from drugs, Reefer Madness won't do the trick. The kids will probably be smart enough to just laugh at all the melodramatic scenes replete with over-the-top campy performances.

Reefer Madness tries its best to tell the story of the dangers of marijuana by showing us a few months in the lives of several high school students. In just this brief period of time they go from being the All-American Boys And Girls Club to being the horrific monsters who actually share intimacy before any wedding plans are announced--and they dance as if they're truly enjoying themselves! Of course, there's the obvious byproduct of playing the piano too fast, which in and of itself must be stamped out. The only truly serious scene in the movie--when someone gets bumped off--is probably the only time you'll experience a sense of sadness at the situation. Reefer Madness also points the finger at organized crime for distributing the drug.

Reefer Madness is best seen in its historical context as an outdated form of scare tactics meant to keep kids away from drugs; and it truly was produced with the best of intentions. However, with the passage of time and with new social mores and norms, the film plot becomes campy and hard to completely believe. The truth is most people laugh at it; and frankly it is pretty humorous, too.

The added short film entitled "Grandpa's Marijuana Handbook" by Evan Keliher is hysterical. Take a close look at that cat's eyes as the cat eats the leaves of the marijuana plant--man, is that cat stoned!

I highly recommend this DVD for fans of cult classic movies and people who want to take a look at how drug abuse was tackled in this country during the 1930s. The movie vacillates between true drama and mostly melodrama; so keep this in mind if you're looking for a truly dramatic flick.

Hilarious...because its horrible.......2007-04-03

This "public service announcment" about the evils of marijuana is just laughable. The entire movie is based on false information made up by Robert J. Anslinger, the first head of the Bureau of Narcotics in the 1930's. Interesting, and a must have if your a drug buff, Reefer Madness is a small glimpse of the hysteria that gripped this country in the first half of the 20th century.

It's 10 o'clock. Do you know why your children are cackling insanely?.......2007-03-16

"Reefer Madness" (originally "Tell Your Children") was created to teach parents that it's never too early to scare the holy crap out of your kids. Through this film we learn that the soul-destroying effects of Marihuana (Mike Nelson explains in the commentary that this film was made before the invention of the letter J) far surpass those of cocaine or heroin. We see firsthand that even teens who can quote Shakespeare like nobody's business cannot escape its evils.

Here are some of the symptoms of casual Marihuana use:
- laughing maniacally while running people down in the street
- playing the piano too fast
- having sexual relations with people you don't really like that much
- accidentally shooting people you do like pretty well
- having no recollection of being framed for murder

If your child has experienced any of these symptoms, he or she is a Marihuana addict. The solution is simple: force them to watch "Reefer Madness" because if we don't heed its warning, "Reefer Madness 2" will be coming to a theater near you or you... OR YOU!

Well, it's funny sometimes anyways..........2007-02-17

Although Reefer Madness was made in 1936, after the production code was inforced, it very much looks like pre-code fare. It is about two high school kids mainly who Blanche (Lillian Miles) and her boyfriend Ralph (Dave O'Brien) persuade into coming to Mae's (Thelma White) apartment to have a reefer session. They become addicted to it and incidents including when Jimmy (Warren McCollum) runs over a man in his car ensue. While Reefer Madness sports poor production values and wooden acting, being a "B" picture, the dialog is funny and witty sometimes. Like when Warren McCollum says "I'm red-hot!" And then Jack (Carleton Young) says "Watch how you drive or the next thing you'll be is ice-cold." Then they accidentally run over a walking man. Reefer Madness is full of stuff like this. the print I saw was grainy, un-colorized and poor, so if you want to see it in a nice version, buy this DVD, but you can watch it on the internet for free, as it is a public domain movie. Maybe the movie reformed people back in 1936, but no way would it do that today. I am in 8th grade and I love old movies, and I was thinking that if my classmates saw this they'd laugh like crazy. Because it is poor and outdated, though it has some good momemts, like Thelma Wilte dancing crazily, and Dave O'Brien laughing uncontollably, and a lot of other dramatic moments. There is one scene when Jimmy's little brother says "Jimmy, will you help me fix my model airplane? You can fix ANYTHING!" But the one thing he could fix was...HIMSELF!!! I kept on thinking that after I heard that line. But overall, Reefer Madness was not my cup of tea. I guess I only like pre-codes and musicals. And anyways, not doing drugs is just common sense, which people today seem to be losing. I'm NEVER doing drugs and I wasn't inspired by this film. And Thelma White looks and sounds like Alice Faye, but I couldn't really tell because it was a bad print, being an online public domain one. And Lillina Miles sang "The Continental" in the first Astaire/Rogers starring film, the Gay Divorcee.

Average customer rating:

Oh, the misery.
You've fallen and you can't get up...but somehow you're still higher than a bunch of third graders on Ritalin...
Hilarious...because its horrible
It's 10 o'clock. Do you know why your children are cackling insanely?
Well, it's funny sometimes anyways...

Reefer Madness (B&W)
Starring: Dorothy Short , Kenneth Craig , Lillian Miles , Dave O'Brien , and Thelma White
Director: Louis J. Gasnier
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Cocaine Fiends
Marihuana
House on Haunted Hill
Carnival of Souls
Night of the Living Dead (Millennium Edition)

ASIN: B00006G8FC
Release Date: 2002-07-30

Amazon.com essential video

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Customer Reviews:

Oh, the misery........2007-06-26

You've fallen and you can't get up...but somehow you're still higher than a bunch of third graders on Ritalin..........2007-04-17

Hilarious...because its horrible.......2007-04-03

It's 10 o'clock. Do you know why your children are cackling insanely?.......2007-03-16

Well, it's funny sometimes anyways..........2007-02-17

Average customer rating:

Oh, the misery.
You've fallen and you can't get up...but somehow you're still higher than a bunch of third graders on Ritalin...
Hilarious...because its horrible
It's 10 o'clock. Do you know why your children are cackling insanely?
Well, it's funny sometimes anyways...

Reefer Madness
Starring: Dorothy Short , Kenneth Craig , Lillian Miles , Dave O'Brien , and Thelma White
Director: Louis J. Gasnier
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Cocaine Fiends
Marihuana
House on Haunted Hill
Carnival of Souls
Night of the Living Dead (Millennium Edition)

ASIN: 6305066795
Release Date: 1998-07-07

Amazon.com essential video

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Customer Reviews:

Oh, the misery........2007-06-26

You've fallen and you can't get up...but somehow you're still higher than a bunch of third graders on Ritalin..........2007-04-17

Hilarious...because its horrible.......2007-04-03

It's 10 o'clock. Do you know why your children are cackling insanely?.......2007-03-16

Well, it's funny sometimes anyways..........2007-02-17

Average customer rating:

The joy of propaganda films

Reefer Madness
Starring: Kenneth Craig , Joe Forte , Jr. Harry Harvey , Warren McCollum , and Lillian Miles
Director: Louis J. Gasnier
Manufacturer: Leisure Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Cocaine Fiends
Marihuana
Reefer Madness (Restored Edition)
Reefer Madness - The Movie Musical
Assassin of Youth

ASIN: B0000640UX
Release Date: 2002-01-08

Customer Reviews:

The joy of propaganda films.......2005-10-18

Reefer Madness is a propaganda film filled with lies and the twisting of the truth about the harmfulness of marijuana. It was a film obviously made to deceive the public about what the use of marijuana ("the real public enemy number one!") can cause people to do, which in turn caused many strict laws to prohibit the drug. Showing the public that the use of marijuana caused people to do irrational and immoral things, such as having pre-marital sex, getting violently paranoid, acting crazy, and even becoming a murderer, made the people respond. It is so obviously an inaccurate portrayal of people under the influence of the narcotic that it cannot be thought of as anything else but a hilariously ridiculous propaganda film, and in today's sense, a cult film (which can also be related to the short film "Duck and Cover," as getting under a desk and covering your neck and head would not help during the explosion of the atomic bomb. However, I think that film was made just to make people feel more secure).

The film depicts the "evil" marijuana dealers as normal people who lure children into their homes and sell them the "devil's drug." These children were ordinary, happy people, who get their lives completely ruined by this drug. It's actually very funny that anyone ever took this film seriously, as it is so ridiculous.

Marihuana/Assassin of Youth/Reefer Madness

Average customer rating:

Cinematic proof that smoking grass makes you giggle uncontrollably
Hours of entertainment
Amazing discovery...
It was funny as hell !!! Get it while you can!!!
Spawn of Harry Anslinger...

Marihuana/Assassin of Youth/Reefer Madness
Starring: Luana Walters , Arthur Gardner , Fay McKenzie , Michael Owen , and Dorothy Short
Director: Elmer Clifton , Dwain Esper , and Louis J. Gasnier
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Cocaine Fiends
Maniac/Narcotic
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Marihuana
Cult Classics 20 Movie Pack (4 DVD)

ASIN: B000051S5Y
Release Date: 2000-12-05

Description

Stop! Don't light that joint until you watch these three crackpot cannabis classics from the 1930. Get the inside dope on the drug craze, and see what actually happens behind the locked doors of a marijuana party! Reefer turns a good girl into a heroin-selling slut in the delirious, over-the-top non-masterpiece "Marihuana" (1936, 56 min.), from infamous exploitation film pioneer Dwain Esper (Maniac). Then, a clean-cut reporter tries to infiltrate a teenage gang of delinquent potheads in "Assassin of Youth" (1937, 73 min.), only to plunge into a pit of doobie-induced immorality. Plus, as a special bonus, the one and only "Reefer Madness" (1936, 65 min.) as you've never seen it before--digitally transferred from a beautiful 35mm print.

Customer Reviews:

Cinematic proof that smoking grass makes you giggle uncontrollably.......2005-11-12

There are three things you need to know before you launch into this Something Weird triple feature of classic anti-marijuana movies from the 1930s. First, the disc seems to want you to watch "Reefer Madness" first. The menu is the titles of the three movies and the special features link shown through a smoky haze. So here I was wondering why "Reefer Madness" looked exactly like "Marihuana." I eventually figured it out, but it took a moment because the prints that Something Weird came up with to make this DVD do not always have the same title by which the film is best known. So "Reefer Madness" appears under the reissue title "Doped Youth (Victims of Marijuana)" (it was originally called "Tell Your Children"). Finally, you can tell these are anti-drug propaganda films because they all begin with a scroll that tells you just that, otherwise you might think these movies were intended to entertain rather than educate.

"Marihuana" (1936) was the film that shocked me the most, mainly because there was nudity when the girls, high on reefer, decide to go skinny-dipping. I knew these films were all pre-Code, but this was still a surprise. Burma Roberts (Harley Wood) is getting high with her boyfriend, Dick Collier (Hugh McArthur), and while the other girls are out running around naked in the surf she gets pregnant. Dick goes to work for drug dealer Tony Sentello (Pat Carlyle) but gets killed the first day. This forces Burma to give up her baby and become a drug-dealing prostitute known as "Blondie." She ends up taking over the gang and comes up with the bright idea of kidnapping her sister's daughter. After Burma disappeared the sister married into high society, and if you do not see the twist coming at the end of this one you must be high. But notice they use music from "La Traviata" at the end to underscore the tragic ending of this morality play.

I first saw "Assassin of Youth" (1937) on a college campus at a midnight showing. Every time Henrietta Frisbie (Fern Emmett) went by on her little motor scooter we would all start dong the Wicked Witch's theme from "The Wizard of Oz" (it still works). A kid high on weed runs down old Mrs. Barrie and she leaves her fortune to her granddaughter Joan Barrie (Luana Walters), provided she lives a moral life. But Linda Clayton (Fay McKenzie) is next in line for the money, so she and her boyfriend Jack Howard (Michael Owens) plot to get Joan high and/or drunk in public. Henrietta Frisbie is perfectly willing to spread gossip about Joan around town, but fortunately she has "Pop" Brady (Earl Dwire) and reporter Art Brighton (Arthur Gardner). There is just so much comic relief in this movie, provided by the adults in the courtroom scene, that it really is more of a melodrama than an anti-drug film.

"Reefer Madness" (1936) is the "Citizen Kane" of marijuana films for good reason. In the history of camp, the piano player getting high in the closet is as iconic as Scarlett vowing she will never be hungry again. We begin with Dr. Carroll (Josef Forte), principal of the local high school, warning the parents against the dangers of marijuana and telling the story of Bill Harper (Kenneth Craig) and Mary Lane (Dorothy Short). They attend a party at the apartment of Mae Coleman (Thelma White) and Jack Perry (Carleton Young), where joints are being given free to get the teens hooked. Also there are Ralph Wiley (Dave O'Brien), another student who likes Mary, and Blanche (Lillian Miles), a moll, who like Bill. Then Mary's kid brother Jimmy (Warren McCullum) gets hooked on drugs by Blanche and ends up killing someone in a hit-and-run while high. When Bill ends up with Blanche and Ralph attacks Mary, Bill goes after Ralph and during the fight a gun goes off and Mary ends up dead. Bill is innocent but he ends up on trial while the crooks try to cover up what really happened. Justice triumphs in the end, but not before the wages of sin are played out while Dr. Carroll continues to provide stern lectures on the subject.

What makes these movies so laughable is their insistence that smoking grass gives you the giggles. You contrast the wild eyed laughing maniacs of these 1930s films with the stereotypical hippies mellowing out by smoking grass from the 1960s, and no wonder it was so easy to dismiss these films and their warnings on the dangers of weed. It is not too farfetched to watch "Marihuana" and think that if young men associate the drug with women wanting to run around naked they would be trying to get their hands on some demon weed as soon as the movie was over. The commentary track for "Marihuana" has SW guru Mike Vraney interviewing David F. Friedman about this particular type of exploitation film as well as the way Roadshows were done way back then. There are theatrical trailers for "Marihuana," "assassin of Youth," and "Devil Harvest," as well as a marijuana excerpt from "Wages fo Sin." There are a couple of shorts, "Sinister Menace" and the silent "High on the Range," and a Gallery of Drug Scare Exploitation Art featuring Drug Scare Radio-Spot Rarities that are always a joy to check out. Also, check out Vraney's chapter titles for each film. Next on the agenda: "Reefer Madness: The Musical."

Hours of entertainment.......2003-05-20

Making the 1980's cloyingly Just Say No campaigns look decidedly high brow in comparison, these three 1930's gems are critical entertainment values.

Most of the information contained on these films is badly directed and acted (just how far can an anti-drug message be streched before the most supportive audience member looses interest) but the inherent camp value is part of the product.

Were it not for the inevitably dated appearance of the actors and sets, etc...these films would probally be shown in modern school districts across the country. Youth from all socioeconomic backgrounds (but, especially the well-to-do who have both the free time and money) are continuing to abuse drugs, much to the consternation of elected officials from all political parties, who are trying to offer policy solutions to simmilarly anxious parents and community members.

I had first heard about these films in conjunction with an introductory College American History class discussion on political propaganda in the American drug war, and after surviving cheesy special issue sitcom episodes in the early 1980's, figured I had seen everything. Boy was I sorely mistaken.

It is interesting to note the administration of an admitted former cocaine user, himself the father of two girls with highly publicized substance abuse incidents of their own has the United States Goverment once again making commericals specifically targeting pot as one of the most dangerous drugs on the market.

Amazing discovery..........2002-01-29

Just finished the three movies in a row, and there are no regrets! This DVD is fun, and more: there are nice extras including an almost finished crazed strip act, trailers, picture gallery and all, and three flicks well presented. The picture/sound quality is not at all as bad as I suspected, in fact some "quality" classics can be found released in much inferior quality. And the movies... they are great, and if you love the atmosphere of the thirties, these films, especially watched late night, give you the wonderful feeling of really attending a wild party, even without actual reefer involved. Whereas "Marihuana" is really stupid and "Reefer Madness" beautifully overblown, "Assassin of youth" is actually quite grasping. All films involve some pretty people, posh clothes and wild lindyhop. What more to be desired???

It was funny as hell !!! Get it while you can!!!.......2002-01-17

I watched this movie with my friends .... It shows great 1930s acting when facial expressions, the tone of voices, and general setup of the sets were much more important then the stupid special effects we have now. When I watched the actors getting stoned and then acting stoned I could not believe that it was an act! I would highly recommend it to anybody who likes to smoke some funny weed. Oh, by the way it shows you how to pick up chicks by getting them stoned first - I tried it myself and it works great - just like in this movie !

Sorry ladies ...

Spawn of Harry Anslinger..........2001-07-28

In the 1930's, the precursor to today's DEA (FBN-Federal Bureau of Narcotics) was headed by an anti-marijuana fanatic named Harry Anslinger. With the aid of people like William Randolph Hearst, he helped to spread a thick blanket of lies about marijuana. Tales of instantaneous addiction, [...] perversion, listening to jazz music (no kidding!), and general hysteria over the plant resulted in the production of some cheesy, but definately entertaining, movies about the menace of pot. These three stand out, though Reefer Madness is probably the best known, and serve as prime examples of distortion and lies fueled by propaganda. Quite possibly where Drug Czars Bill Bennett and others obtained their information about marijuana.

REEFER CLASSICS: TRIPLE FEATURE/ REEFER MADNESS/ MARIHUANA/ THE COCAINE FIENDS.

Average customer rating:

Foolish Madness!

REEFER CLASSICS: TRIPLE FEATURE/ REEFER MADNESS/ MARIHUANA/ THE COCAINE FIENDS.

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Reefer Madness (Restored Edition)
Reefer Madness - The Movie Musical

ASIN: B0009AFMRW

Customer Reviews:

Foolish Madness!.......2005-05-22

Okay you hop heads, dope fiends, and reefer addicts! STAY AWAY from the demon weed and happy dust or you too will turn into hit-and-run driving, jitter bugging, sex-crazed loosey-goosies who bring SHAME and DISGRACE to yourselves and your parents! You might even commit SUICIDE as a result! So aw heck, be a SWELL JOE and stay away from the WRONG CROWD as displayed in these flix.

On one end, these films are a real hoot! All facetiousness aside, these films ARE well intentioned in trying to keep the kiddies away from the dope dens and admittedly, that is a noble cause. But as the case with the late 1960s episodes of "Dragnet" (remember Blue Boy?) and the afterschool specials of the 70s and 80s, the execution, dialogue, and stories are so outragously ridiculous that only the least sophisticated or grandmothers at the hell fire and brimstone churches who haven't gone ten miles further than the family farm since the fifties could POSSIBLY take these films seriously. Children will be bored by them and gen x-ers on up will pound the floors in hysterical laughter.

Wicked Wonders of Mary Jane: Marijuana/Reefer Madness/Assassin of Youth/Wild Weed

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Wicked Wonders of Mary Jane: Marijuana/Reefer Madness/Assassin of Youth/Wild Weed
Starring: Wicked Wonders of Mary Jane
Manufacturer: Brentwood Home Video
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The Cocaine Fiends
The Magic Weed: The Truth About Cannabis Sativa
High Times' Potluck
High Times Presents The Cannabis Cup
Sex Madness

ASIN: B0007P0YE0
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Average customer rating:

Hooo-hah!
Stoner Shorts rocks!!!
Stoner needs Shorts

Stoner Shorts Vol. 1

Manufacturer: PromoDVDs.com
ProductGroup: DVD
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60 Minutes - The Prince Of Pot (March 5, 2006)
Reefer Madness & Hemp for Victory
The Magic Weed: The Truth About Cannabis Sativa
Wicked Wonders of Mary Jane: Marijuana/Reefer Madness/Assassin of Youth/Wild Weed
High Times' Potluck

ASIN: B000FM7GQE

Product Description

A hand-picked cornucopia of "chronic" counterculture! A previously unreleased collection of hilariously odd short films and trippy cartoons including: Drugs are Like That, 50's Drug Addiction, Social Smoke & Mirrors-Tom, Social Smoke & Mirrors-Bunny, Betty Boop (1930s) +Plus other great Bonuses! This a fantastic voyage into the drug use of yesteryear. Timeless in it's truth, brutal in it's honesty and sincere in it's message, this 1 hour 37 minutes of the most medicinally induced fun your can have! The FEEL GOOD movie of the century!

Customer Reviews:

Hooo-hah!.......2006-06-08

I got the twofer from Promodvds ("Reefer Madness with Hemp for Victory" AND "Stoner Shorts vol.1") and was floored! If you have any interest in social history, or just want to laugh until you puke, you have to get this. The main features are 2 anti - drug films and 2 "social films". These were actually made to be played for kids in school! The "Social" films seem to be made for the purpose of discussion in maybe a high school social studies class or something. Get some friends together to watch these because I guarantee you'll wanna discuss this stuff MST3000 style! Oh, and the Betty Boop cartoons - I had NO idea she was so naughty, or controversial. I had looked this DVD up at stonershortsdvd [dot] com - there's more info than their amazon store, and there is a reel in quicktime of clips from the DVD- -I had to get this after seeing the reel and am so glad I did.

Stoner Shorts rocks!!!.......2006-05-24

Perfect for kicking back and relaxing with your "friends". Each one of the featured shorts is a scream. We had to watch "Tom" and "Drugs are like that twice in a row. I especially loved the voice over in 1950's Drug Addiction! It is so over the top it really gives Reefer Madness a run for the money . . . Please give us more! Oh, the FREE Movie I watched was awesome . . . it's "Swamp Women" - if you haven't seen it, another good reason to buy. I wish I had seen the Two For One DVD deal . . . where Reefer Madness (with Hemp for Victory) is coupled with Stoner Shorts for $14.95 (you can do a search here and it comes up - it's listed on the second page. I think it's the only DVD with Hemp for Victory on it, and I know that this collection of Stoner Shorts can't be found anywhere else. You can also get to that deal on Amazon from www.stonershortsdvd.com - plus the clip is there, more descriptions and you can send to a friend (which is good for a laugh)

Stoner needs Shorts.......2006-05-23

Gotta get it! The interface is as trippy as the rest of it. You can play all (straight thru) or play the "scrambled mix" - (just like your brain) I think this'll be great for my next party - even on in the background with the sound off, it's great the Betty Boop stuff coupled with the Vincent Collins short, really all of it is perfect - great price for what you get, especially with the extra free stuff, it's almost four times the Reefer Madness or Cocaine Fiends Length when added together. I would review each short, but there is so much to go over, their website does a decent job of explaining the parts if you're still wondering whether you should buy - plus there are some clips edited together there that you can download to your Ipod.

Average customer rating:

Reefer Madness/Cocaine Fiends
Starring: Reefer Madness , and Cocaine Fiends
Manufacturer: DVD Cult Classics
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007RTAX4
Release Date: 2005-03-22

DVD: