High School Confidential

Starring:Russ Tamblyn, Jan Sterling, John Drew Barrymore, Mamie Van Doren, Diane Jergens, Ray Anthony, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jackie Coogan, Charles Chaplin Jr., Lyle Talbot, William Wellman Jr., Michael Landon, Texas Joe Foster, William Smith, Norman Grabowski, Joe Lanza, Gil Perkins, Diana Darrin, Florida Friebus, Kim Chance
Director: Jack Arnold
Studio: Republic Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Tony Baker (Russ Tamblyn) is the tough-talking king of the hot-rodders at Santo Bello High School. The queen of his heart is beautiful Joan Staples (Diane Jergens), a well meaning but naive girl. She gives him the attention he never had at home, where he lives with his flamboyant "aunt". But when the local crime syndicate muscles its way into the scene, these two hot young lovers find themselves on a star-crossed path that only a caring school teacher can change.

System Requirements:

Running Time 85 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE
Amazon.com
Is it a serious look at drug addiction and the "narcotics problem," or is it pure exploitation? Well, High School Confidential opens up with Jerry Lee Lewis rolling into town on a flatbed truck, pummeling an upright piano as he bellows one of his hits, so that should tell you something right off. Eminently slappable punk Russ Tamblyn enrolls at the local high school and immediately starts to hit on the teacher (Jan Sterling). Soon he proves that he's even cooler than jive-talking king daddy-o John Drew Barrymore (Drew's dad), and is getting acquainted with the local dope peddler (Jackie Coogan). Never mind that Barrymore should be able to pick him up over his head and throw him; Tamblyn has a switchblade at the ready should trouble break out. At home, he's constantly fending off the amorous advances of his "aunt," Mamie Van Doren. Of course, Russ's character is a narc, sent undercover to infiltrate the school dope ring. High School Confidential's cast includes Lyle Talbot, Michael Landon and famous offspring William Wellman Jr., and Charlie Chaplin Jr. Fifties teen movies (and drug-hysteria movies) just don't come any better than this; simultaneously absurd, exciting, and hilarious. --Jerry Renshaw

Average customer rating:

More of a Juvenile Delinquent film than a Rock and Roll Film
A Wonderful Movie
"You're draggin' your rear axle in waltz time"
Some things never change . . .
The movie with the best opening credits and the birth of rap

High School Confidential
Starring: Russ Tamblyn , Jan Sterling , John Drew Barrymore , Mamie Van Doren , and Diane Jergens
Director: Jack Arnold
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002235LM
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Amazon.com

Is it a serious look at drug addiction and the "narcotics problem," or is it pure exploitation? Well, High School Confidential opens up with Jerry Lee Lewis rolling into town on a flatbed truck, pummeling an upright piano as he bellows one of his hits, so that should tell you something right off. Eminently slappable punk Russ Tamblyn enrolls at the local high school and immediately starts to hit on the teacher (Jan Sterling). Soon he proves that he's even cooler than jive-talking king daddy-o John Drew Barrymore (Drew's dad), and is getting acquainted with the local dope peddler (Jackie Coogan). Never mind that Barrymore should be able to pick him up over his head and throw him; Tamblyn has a switchblade at the ready should trouble break out. At home, he's constantly fending off the amorous advances of his "aunt," Mamie Van Doren. Of course, Russ's character is a narc, sent undercover to infiltrate the school dope ring. High School Confidential's cast includes Lyle Talbot, Michael Landon and famous offspring William Wellman Jr., and Charlie Chaplin Jr. Fifties teen movies (and drug-hysteria movies) just don't come any better than this; simultaneously absurd, exciting, and hilarious. --Jerry Renshaw

Product Description

Tony Baker (Russ Tamblyn) is the tough-talking king of the hot-rodders at Santo Bello High School. The queen of his heart is beautiful Joan Staples (Diane Jergens), a well meaning but naive girl. She gives him the attention he never had at home, where he lives with his flamboyant "aunt". But when the local crime syndicate muscles its way into the scene, these two hot young lovers find themselves on a star-crossed path that only a caring school teacher can change.

System Requirements:

Running Time 85 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

More of a Juvenile Delinquent film than a Rock and Roll Film.......2007-01-07

High School Confidential has misleading advertisements. When I saw the film, I thought it was going to be a semi-rock and roll film co-starring Jerry Lee Lewis (his name is actually in the credits). However, he only comes out during the opening credits singing one song.

The story is actually more in line with the 1950s juvenile delinquent films than the rock and roll films. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing because the film actually has a better plot than most rock and roll films. It just appears to be advertised as a rock and roll film.

That said, the film has a great storyline, but is overshadowed by beatnik talk and mentality (are beatniks really tough while reciting poetry?). It's great nonetheless.

A Wonderful Movie.......2006-05-31

This is a very good movie. In fact, it is extremely well done all around. The acting was very effective and convincing. Russ Tamblyn is excellent. I particularly liked the cinematography. Also, the script worked on many levels making it appealing to a wide audience. I found this film to be both entertaining and thought provoking.

"You're draggin' your rear axle in waltz time".......2006-03-09

I LOVE High School Confidential. I find it to be campy, yet very well made. I think the acting is good, the action scenes are exciting and I was genuinely surprised by the plot twist. And the dialog, dripping with 1950's hep-talk, is the most daddio!

Unfortunately this dvd is very bare bones, without even the theatrical trailer which was included on the laserdisc edition. But on the plus side it's in widescreen (as a previous reviewer noted, the box incorrectly indicates that it's full screen.)

When I think of Russ Tamblyn, I don't think of West Side Story, I think of High School Confidential. (I also think of Dracula vs. Frankenstein, but that's another story.)

Some things never change . . ........2005-07-16

I teach the history of pop music at the college level and I'm always looking for source material. It's hard to beat the mid to late 50s movies featuring teen angst and early rock and roll. It's interesting to me that we still have similar issues with drugs, home life, teenage behavior, etc. When I talk about the 50s in my class, I often show clips from these types of movies. This movie is not so much about the music (like "Don't Knock the Rock," or "Rock Around the Clock") but more of a period piece similar to "Blackboard Jungle." I gave it a 5 because it takes me back to that time better than most movies made in the 50s.

The movie with the best opening credits and the birth of rap.......2005-05-25

Believe or not but in this movie I just love to see over and over again the opening credits. And I am sure that everybody that sees this movie, will agree with me. Another outstanding thing is that if you think that rap music was invented and started in the 90's, you must check out this lady from the 50's. Now, the rest of the movie is a very serious drama. A drama that made me laugh throughout the movie like if it was a comedy. Is this a funny drama?, I don't know but if you give it a chance you'll know what I mean. And about the dvd, I was dissapointed to read that it was in "full screen", but when I saw it I couldn't be more happy to see that it was a mistake and it was in widescreen as it should (too bad it was mono). And too bad that in those days the credits at the end were so short. It would've been great to see Jerry do the whole "high school confidential" again, or maybe "great balls of fire". I gave it a 5 for the credits, 4 for the rap song and 0 for the rest, my total is 3.

Average customer rating:

Student Confidential
Starring: Ronee Blakely , Sarina Grant , Marlon Jackson , Kip King , and John Milford
Director: Richard Horian
Manufacturer: TROMA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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School Days | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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