The Explosive Generation (1961)High school teacher gets in trouble when he tries to teach a class in sex education. Director:Buzz KulikWriter:Joseph Landon |
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The Explosive Generation (1961)High school teacher gets in trouble when he tries to teach a class in sex education. Director:Buzz KulikWriter:Joseph Landon |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| William Shatner | ... |
Peter Gifford
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| Patty McCormack | ... |
Janet Sommers
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Lee Kinsolving | ... |
Dan Carlyle
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Billy Gray | ... |
Bobby Herman Jr.
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Stephen Dunne | ... |
Bobby Herman Sr.
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| Arch Johnson | ... |
Mr. George Sommers
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Virginia Field | ... |
Mrs. Katie Sommers
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Phillip Terry | ... |
Mr. Carlyle
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Hanna Landy | ... |
Mrs. Carlyle
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| Edward Platt | ... |
Mr. Morton
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Suzi Carnell | ... |
Marge Ryker
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| Jocelyn Brando | ... |
Mrs. Ryker
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| Beau Bridges | ... |
Mark
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Peter Virgo Jr. | ... |
George
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Bruce Kerner | ... |
Stephen
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Peter Gifford is a likable, dedicated schoolteacher that teaches a senior life skills class. When student Janet Sommers brings up the topic of sex and dating, he asks students to write questions on the topic, and will cover them in the next class. The parents get wind of what Gifford is about to do, notify the principal, and he warns Peter not to read the questions in class. Gifford decides to go against this and is suspended. The whole student body protests, and the administration gets worried on what to do. Written by Pat McCurry
Contrary to the lurid poster and title, The Explosive Generation is an enlightened, sensitive, and even-handed treatment of the issues involved in attempting to include a sexual education curriculum in high schools in the early 1960's. William Shatner is sensitive, realistic, gentle, and winning as the teacher trying to his best only to find his words and methods distorted by those with other agendas.
Patty McCormack (known for the Bad Seed, Kathy O, the Miniskirt Mob, and the Ropers) is quite good as the ingenue made to feel suddenly uncomfortable about her own sexuality in increasingly tense and challenging times. 50's TV fans will enjoy seeing Bud from Father Knows Best (Billy Gray) as one of the students. This is truly worth seeing both as a movie and as a history lesson.