Because They're Young (1960)

A new high school teacher tries to help troubled students and falls in love with the principal's secretary.

Director:

Paul Wendkos

Writers:

John Farris (novel), James Gunn

Stars:

Dick Clark, Victoria Shaw, Michael Callan

Won 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dick Clark	...	Neil Hendry
Victoria Shaw	...	Joan Dietrich
Michael Callan	...	Griff Rimer
Tuesday Weld	...	Anne Gregor
Warren Berlinger	...	Buddy McCalla
Roberta Shore	...	Richelle 'Ricky' Summers
Doug McClure	...	Jim Trent
Duane Eddy	...	Himself - Guitarist (also as Duane Eddy and the Rebels)
James Darren	...	Himself - Singer
Linda Watkins	...	Frances McCalla
Chris Robinson	...	Patcher
Rudy Bond	...	Chris
Wendell Holmes	...	Principal Donlan
Philip Coolidge	...	Mr. Rimer
Bart Patton	...	Michael Kramer

Storyline

Neil Hendry is the new high school teacher in town, but he is still haunted by a tragic event in his past. However, his friendly, casual style wins the hearts of some of the school's more troubled teens, as well as the principal's secretary. He is able to positively help them both in and out of school. But these same attributes make him an enemy of the principal, who discourages such close relationships between teachers and students.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | psychotronic film | 

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Taglines:

THIS IS YOUTH...the real and revealing story of today's teenagers!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Porque son jóvenes

Filming Locations:

Hoover High School - 651 Glenwood Road, Glendale, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jerry Bresler Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film score for John Williams.

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Goofs

Eddy's guitar is amplified even though it is not connected to an amplifier.

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Connections

Edited into Heavy Petting (1989)

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Soundtracks

Because They're Young
Music by Don Costa
Lyrics by Aaron Schröder (as Aaron Schroeder) and Wally Gold
Performed by James Darren

User Reviews

Dick Clark clicked for the teens in this movie!

Another movie I'd love to see released on video/DVD that's been too long neglected is "BECAUSE THEY'RE YOUNG" (Columbia, 1960) starring Dick Clark of American Bandstand with Duane Eddy and his Rockin' Rebels, and Bobby Rydell on the soundtrack. Oh yes, that cool blonde hottie Tuesday Weld was in there too. Too bad it was in black & white, but they were doing a retake on "BLACKBOARD JUNGLE" (MGM, 1955) so it had to be, and look like a B-movie. I know I'm dating myself, but I did see this movie in the theaters when it was released in May-June 1960. It was the coolest, man. I mean like I really dug it the most, at age 13. I was into Edd 'Kookie' Byrnes' jive talk, rock'n'roll, and hip beatnik jazz so Maynard G. Krebs was my buddy on TV. And DIck Clark was a swingin' hipster on American Bandstand, WFIL-TV in Philly, broadcast on ABC-TV network nationwide. I watched it every afternoon after coming home from school, along with reruns of "Adventures of SUPERMAN", "Topper", and "Ramar of the Jungle"! Dick Clark really clicked for teens and kids in this movie, I remember everyone thought he did a great job with his first acting role. In retrospect, not having seen this movie since the early '70s when it was shown on TV one Saturday afternoon, I can't really judge it as an adult, but I fondly remember it being kind of a dark, melodramatic sort of "American Graffiti" movie experience. I would love to see it again after all these years! Please, Sony Pictures, put this one on your DVD-to-do list!!! I'd love to see an interview with Dick Clark about this movie. I wonder if he's up to that challenge now?