Reefer Madness Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Reefer Madness is the title of a 1936 film about marijuana, two books, a musical satiring the original film, and a song by Hawkwind.
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2 2003 book 3 1998 book 4 Musical 5 Song |
Reefer Madness, originally named Tell Your Children, is a 1936 cult film. Its run time is 1:04:43. "Reefer" means marijuana or a marijuana cigarette.
This film was directed by Louis Gasnier, who had well learned the silent era craft of over-acting. Its cast was composed of mostly unknown bit actors. The story was written by Laurence Meade. The plot revolves around the tragic events that follow when high school students are lured by pushers to try "marihuana": a killing, a suicide, a descent into madness all ensue.
As a propaganda film financed by moralists, it was a terrible failure. Soon after, cinematic exploiter Dwain Esper bought the rights and cut in the "dirty bits" and began to make money on the rural circuit. Eventually it was shelved and the copyright was not renewed.
It was eventually acquired by Keith Stroup, founder of NORML (National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws), who made it the darling of pot smokers and college campuses. For this crowd the poor production qualities of the movie, including the over-acting, have stamped it as an uproarious comedy that magnifies the futility of the current "War on Drugs".
Reefer Madness has since fallen into the public domain and is available online. A colorized version of the movie is available; the smoke from the "marihuana" was made to appear green, red, blue, orange, and even purple.
Reefer Madness: Sex, Drugs, and Cheap Labor in the American Black Market (2003) is a book written by Eric Schlosser.
This book is a look behind the 10% underground economy of the U.S that includes marijuana, migrant labor, and pornography.
Reefer Madness: A History of Marijuana (1998) is a book written by Larry "Ratso" Sloman.
This book is a popular social history of marijuana use in the United States
Reefer Madness (2004) is a musical satire of the Reefer Madness (1936) directed by Andy Fickman.
This is an Article on Reefer Madness. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Reefer Madness 1936 movie
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External links
2003 book
1998 book
Musical
External link
Song
Reefer Madness is also a song by Hawkwind, obviously an ironic reference to the movie of the same name since the band were well-known to experiment with drugs.