Girls Town (1959)

Silver is a troubled teenage girl sent to a Catholic reform school, where she has trouble fitting in.

Director:

Charles F. Haas (as Charles Haas)

Writers:

Robert Hardy Andrews (story), Robert Smith (screenplay)

Stars:

Mamie Van Doren, Mel Tormé, Ray Anthony

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mamie Van Doren	...	Silver Morgan
Mel Tormé	...	Fred Alger (as Mel Torme)
Ray Anthony	...	Dick Culdane
Margaret Hayes	...	Mother Veronica (as Maggie Hayes)
Paul Anka	...	Jimmy Parlow
Cathy Crosby	...	Singer
Gigi Perreau	...	Serafina Garcia
Elinor Donahue	...	Mary Lee Morgan
Gloria Talbott	...	Vida
Sheilah Graham	...	Sister Grace
James Mitchum	...	Charley Boy (as Jim Mitchum)
Dick Contino	...	Stan Joyce
Harold Lloyd Jr.	...	Chip Gardner
Charles Chaplin Jr.	...	Joe Cates
The Platters	...	Themselves

Storyline

Chip is killed accidentally while trying to rape a blonde girl, who runs. Silver becomes the number-one suspect although she has an alibi, but because she's had previous brushes with the law she's sent to Girls Town, a nun-run home for young women in trouble with the law. Rebellious Silver causes trouble at the school, and her friend Serafina's infatuation with a young singer brings her to the brink of self-destruction. Meanwhile, Chip's father hires a detective to learn the truth, and Chip's friend Fred makes trouble for Silver's sister at a drag race. Silver has problems, all right.

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Plot Keywords:

judo | psychotronic film | nun | mother superior | convent school | 

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Taglines:

Last Stop On The Road To Nowhere!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Innocent and the Damned

Company Credits

Production Co:

Albert Zugsmith Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was parodied by Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Season 6, Episode 1.

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Goofs

The positioning of Chip's body at the bottom of the cliff is different from when he first lands to when Fred discovers him moments later.

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Quotes

Jimmy Parlow: You know, Mother, I'm not completely square. But comin' into my room and seeing this young girl in a lacy nightie.
[Embarrassed]
Jimmy Parlow: Ah, I beg your pardon.
Mother Veronica: The church is aware of the existence of nightgowns, Mr. Parlow.

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Alternate Versions

Some prints are missing a 1:51 minute scene of Mamie Van Doren singing "Hey, Mama" while taking a shower, provocatively filmed through an opaque glass door. Considered controversial for the times, it was censored in some areas.

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Connections

Referenced in Best of Bandstand (1986)

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Soundtracks

Girls Town
Music and lyrics by Paul Anka
Sung by Paul Anka and Mamie Van Doren (uncredited)
Opening and closing credits

User Reviews

Great Fun

This movie is a great trash fest. Sometimes there is nothing better than when Hollywood of the 50s and 60s attempts to have teens portrayed by aging icons. This one goes straight thru the stratosphere when they make Mel "the velvet fog"Torme a gang leader of sorts. Mamie van Doren is way sexy. I'm surprised she didn't make the ranks of a major sex symbol. I've always found her to be hotter than Jayne Mansfield. If you don't believe me, check out High School Confidential; teenage boys would kill for an aunt this sexy. It's great fun no matter what, but even though MST3K cut out some scenes for their version, their great snotty comments are priceless. Get a hold of it, if you can!