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Reefer Madness

Original title: Tell Your Children
  • 19361936
  • PGPG
  • 1h 6m
IMDb RATING
3.7/10
8.7K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
16,416
200
Reefer Madness (1936)
Something must be done to wipe out this ghastly menace.
Play trailer1:45
1 Video
20 Photos
CrimeDrama
Cautionary tale features a fictionalized take on the use of marijuana. A trio of drug dealers lead innocent teenagers to become addicted to "reefer" cigarettes by holding wild parties with j... Read allCautionary tale features a fictionalized take on the use of marijuana. A trio of drug dealers lead innocent teenagers to become addicted to "reefer" cigarettes by holding wild parties with jazz music.Cautionary tale features a fictionalized take on the use of marijuana. A trio of drug dealers lead innocent teenagers to become addicted to "reefer" cigarettes by holding wild parties with jazz music.
IMDb RATING
3.7/10
8.7K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
16,416
200
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Louis J. Gasnier
    • Writers
      • Lawrence Meade(original story)
      • Arthur Hoerl(screenplay)
      • Paul Franklin(additional dialogue)
    • Stars
      • Dorothy Short
      • Kenneth Craig
      • Lillian Miles
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Louis J. Gasnier
    • Writers
      • Lawrence Meade(original story)
      • Arthur Hoerl(screenplay)
      • Paul Franklin(additional dialogue)
    • Stars
      • Dorothy Short
      • Kenneth Craig
      • Lillian Miles
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 144User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
    • 70Metascore

    Videos1

    Reefer Madness - 75th Anniversary Expanded Edition
    Trailer 1:45
    Reefer Madness - 75th Anniversary Expanded Edition

    Photos20

    Reefer Madness (1936)
    Reefer Madness (1936)
    Reefer Madness (1936)
    Dave O'Brien and Dorothy Short in Reefer Madness (1936)
    Dorothy Short in Reefer Madness (1936)
    Reefer Madness (1936)
    Reefer Madness (1936)
    Kenneth Craig and Carleton Young in Reefer Madness (1936)
    Dave O'Brien in Reefer Madness (1936)
    Dave O'Brien and Dorothy Short in Reefer Madness (1936)
    Reefer Madness (1936)
    Lillian Miles, Dave O'Brien, Thelma White, and Carleton Young in Reefer Madness (1936)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dorothy Short
    Dorothy Short
    • Mary
    Kenneth Craig
    • Bill
    Lillian Miles
    • Blanche
    Dave O'Brien
    Dave O'Brien
    • Ralph
    Thelma White
    Thelma White
    • Mae
    Carleton Young
    Carleton Young
    • Jack
    Warren McCollum
    Warren McCollum
    • Jimmy
    • (as Warren McCullom)
    Patricia Royale
    • Agnes
    • (as Pat Royale)
    Joseph Forte
    • Dr. Carroll
    • (as Josef Forte)
    Harry Harvey Jr.
    • Junior
    Richard Alexander
    Richard Alexander
    • Pete Daley - Dope Pusher
    • (uncredited)
    James Ard
    • Officer Chuckman
    • (uncredited)
    Bob Burns
    Bob Burns
    • Juror
    • (uncredited)
    Lester Dorr
    Lester Dorr
    • Joe - Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    Phil Dunham
    Phil Dunham
    • Juror
    • (uncredited)
    Edward Earle
    Edward Earle
    • Mr. Wayne - Federal Bureau Investigator
    • (uncredited)
    Frank LaRue
    Frank LaRue
    • Bill's Lawyer
    • (uncredited)
    Edward LeSaint
    Edward LeSaint
    • Judge
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Louis J. Gasnier
    • Writers
      • Lawrence Meade(original story)
      • Arthur Hoerl(screenplay)
      • Paul Franklin(additional dialogue)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Inspired by the case of Victor Licata, who killed his father, mother, two brothers, and a sister with an ax in Tampa, FL, on 10/16/33, allegedly while under the influence of marijuana. Declared unfit to stand trial for reasons of insanity, subsequent psychiatric examination at the Florida State Mental Hospital determined that Licata suffered from schizophrenia with homicidal tendencies. The Licata case was used to propagandize the passage of the federal Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 that effectively outlawed legal sales of the "demon weed".
    • Goofs
      When the gun is fired, it is pointed towards the floor, too low for a bullet to strike Mary in the back.
    • Quotes

      Mr. Wayne - Federal Bureau Investigator: Here is an example: A 16 year old lad apprehended in the act of staging a holdup - 16 years old and a marijuana addict. Here is a most tragic case.

      Dr. Carroll: Yes. I remember. Just a young boy... under the influence of the drug... he killed his entire family with an axe.

    • Crazy credits
      FOREWORD: The motion picture you are about to witness may startle you. It would not have been possible, otherwise, to sufficiently emphasize the frightful toll of the new drug menace which is destroying the youth of America in alarmingly-increasing numbers. Marihuana is that drug - a violent narcotic - an unspeakable scourge - The Real Public Enemy Number One! Its first effect is sudden, violent, uncontrollable laughter; then come dangerous hallucinations - space expands - time slows down, almost stands still ....fixed ideas come next, conjuring up monstrous extravagances - followed by emotional disturbances, the total inability to direct thoughts, the loss of all power to resist physical emotions... leading finally to acts of shocking violence... ending often in incurable insanity. In picturing its soul-destroying effects no attempt was made to equivocate. The scenes and incidents, while fictionized for the purposes of this story, are based upon actual research into the results of Marihuana addiction. If their stark reality will make you think, will make you aware that something must be done to wipe out this ghastly menace, then the picture will not have failed in its purpose.... Because the dread Marihuana may be reaching forth next for your son or daughter....or yours....or YOURS!
    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a colorized version
    • Connections
      Edited into Reefer Madness II: The True Story (1985)

    User reviews144

    Review
    Top review
    3/10
    Everyone should watch this thing at least once.
    Plan 9 From Outer Space wasn't made as a work of art. It wasn't even made to be good. It was made for one reason and one reason only. To make money. And, being as bad ( and laughable ) as it was, it has become a cult classic as a result. I mention that by way of comparison. "Reefer Madness" falls into the same category, even though the production of it was somewhat better, with an added bonus for the folks involved with the making of it ...It was also meant to be used as a "teaching" tool. Teaching in this instance being synonymous with propaganda. Calling this flick "highly exaggerated" or "over the top" is putting it mildly. Which is exactly why, given the very pronounced change in society's view of marijuana, it is so much fun and rightly deserves the title "Cult Classic". Well done? Hardly. Fun? Oh yes. So ... I think everyone ought to see this at least once just for the fun of it. Parents, tell your children.
    helpful•6
    0
    • KennethEagleSpirit
    • Jan 6, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 1, 1938 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dope Addict
    • Filming locations
      • Grand National Studios - 7250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • George A. Hirliman Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 6 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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