Customer Reviews

Reefer Madness

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

The movie Reefer Madness seen by itself is really nothing to brag about, but this special addition for this best-selling cult classic is fantastic. It's a must buy, because for how cheap it is, you really get your money's worth. For the first time ever, I can say that the colorized version (complete with multicolor smoke and over saturated psychedelic color schemes) is better and looks better than the original black and white, and both versions are available to watch which is considerate of the DVD producers to give us both, and it looks as good as we can ever expect. Extra features are fantastic highlighted by a hysterical commentary by Mike Nelson, formerly of Mystery Science Theater 3000, which is the sole reason why I bought this edition. The commentary by the people who colorized the film is also worth a look. I highly recommend this new edition.

In the 70s, NORML spread the myth that the government sponsored Reefer Madness. The truth, however, is that the film was made to play the Exploitation circuit... and was made with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Thelma White (Mae) has said that the cast was specifically asked to "hoke it up." And the scene in which Ralph demands that the piano be played "Faster... Faster!" comes straight out of 42nd Street--a film in which actor Dave O'Brien (yes, Ralph himself) had played a chorus boy.

So, if the makers of this film weren't serious about their message, why did they make the movie? Well, why did anybody make an Exploitation film in the 30s? To show more skin than the Hays Code allowed, of course, and to capitalize on public fears. Simply put: they wanted to make money. And make money they did.

Unlike most Exploitation fare, Reefer Madness was shot over a period of three weeks, on a relatively large budget (by sub-Poverty Row standards). Using an experienced director and a couple of actors who would go on to do respectable work in Hollywood, this production is the creme-de-la-creme of 30's Exploitation cinema.

Reefer Madness is every bit as hyperbolic as it was intended to be. Just watch it knowing that its makers are laughing at you, and you'll realize that this film is perhaps one of the greatest jokes ever played on an audience in the history of cinema. It's certainly one of the most entertaining.

Bill and Mary were just two typical all-american 25 year old highschool students, playing tennis, drinking hot cocoa, and reciting Shakespeare. Then, Bill got mixed up with the "wrong crowd". He ended up at their house of evil, where He took a "hit" from a marijuana cigarette and "freaked out". Bill joined in with "satan's children" as they danced uncontrollably, played piano jazz, and had wanton abandon sessions! Meanwhile, Mary's brother borrowed her car, took a puff from a "hemp-joint" and drove uncontrollably, running over a pedestrian, laughing mercilessly. Ultimately, poor Mary ended up at the "drug den" herself, being introduced to the "killer weed" by Ralph, a crazed "pot fiend" given to uncontrollable fits of hysterical laughter. Ralph took advantage of Mary, causing Bill (who was having a wanton abandon session with a female "pot-head" in another room) to lose control and attack Ralph. Suddenly, the swinging "dope pad" was turned into a murder house, as the co-owner of the hangout drew a gun. Bill fought him and Mary was inadvertantly shot dead! Bill was framed for Mary's homicide and Ralph was committed to an insane asylum. And, remember the wicked girl Bill was having wanton abandon with? Well, she was called upon to testify in court, and wound up diving out a window! Let us learn the lessons here! Remember, smoke only good wholesome tobacco, or drink harmless, invigorating alcohol; and leave the "reefer" to the ne'er-do-wells and hepcats of the world...

Thank God. This movie is interesting on its own, but I wouldn't even comment if it wasn't for the commentary. Mike Nelson of Mystery Science Theater 3k mocks this film in its entirety. I think this film may have been produced by the medical condition of Paranoia. Back then, people must have thought that everything but smoking cigarettes was bad for you...I'm sure there was a short about the dangers of regular excersize. I'm just glad that all drugs are now tested for their "soul-destroying effects". Thanks Mike.

When you watch this film, your not going to see a bunch of long-haired, sublime listening, bad guitar playing kids sitting in some dank basement. This movie goes completely over the top in exhibiting the effects of marijuana.
First of all, marijuana apparently has the same symptoms as PCP, giving you the urge to attack people for no reason, and laugh hysterically at things not funny in the least.
Second of all, marijuana makes you a terrible dancer. However, if you smoke enough marijuana, according to this film, you'll become an excellent pianist.
The films a classic for good reason. It's hilarious in its over the top attempt to counter marijuana use, and will make any viewer wanna go and smoke a fatass joint right afterwords.
Their is also an extra film called "Grandpa Ganja's Marijuana Handbook," where this old stoner dude basically lays down the law on everything to do with pot. This old weedhead is hilarious, and well worth watching. Highly recommended.

OK folks, this is by far one of the best DVDs I've bought in quite awhile. You get so much for so little. First you get the original black and white movie. Reefer Madness is like the Three Stooges, black and white just adds to its charm. But to see it in color is quite a hoot. The smoke is purple and pink, the suits and dresses are LOUD, and the color scheme for Mae's apartment is just mind boggling. What more could you ask for? Well you get more anyway.

When I discovered that Mike Nelson from MST3000 fame actually had narrating duty, I just had to buy Reefer Madness again. He's hilarious. Sure it would have been great for his two robot buddies to join in, but who knows, maybe someday. Mike was right on the ball and I laughed out loud quite a few times. I never noticed before how much time the dope dealer spent making meals and eating.

Well if that wasn't enough, we also get a short 15 minute film starring Grandpa Ganja. He's a marijuana expert who's been smoking pot for over 30 years. He quotes weed from the Bible, convincingly explains how Moses was a major dopehead, and also the disciples. Not only do we get an indepth history on marijuana, he demonstrates how to roll a joint, smoke a bong, and other helpful hints on how to administer medical THC. The old man is hilarious on helpful hints as to buying and growing your marijuana. When they showed the real old dude throwing marijuana seeds over his fence and then harvesting pot in his neighbor's yard I lost it. Low brow pot humor true, but in any case I laughed my butt off.

If you already have a black and white copy of Reefer Madness, it's worth buying again to have this edition. It's well worth it.

This movie was made to scare its generation away from marijuana. Now, its extreme exagerations and ludicrousy make it cult classic. From saying that the new "drug menace, marijuana" is far worse than cocaine or heroin to an introduction that states the film will only be a success if you are too scared to ever think marijuana has any good intent, the film goes too far to ever be considered serious. The film fails at its mission of scaring the public away from marijuana, but allows us to laugh at just how far the US Government went to continue the prohibition. All and all, the film is best if you see it with you "buds."

Reefer Madness is the quintessential cult classic. Originally made as a 1930's propaganda film, it was meant to scare America's youth away from drugs, showing them that one puff of the "demon weed" turns teens into raving reefer addicts. Now, years later, this ham-fisted effort to warn you off weed has become the height of camp entertainment. A `must watch' film among students, Reefer Madness continues to entertain today's youth with the edgy exploits of their high school predecessors. This movie is so beautifully bad, it's great!

Finally someone has released Reefer Madness the way it should be: Beautifully restored, in color for the first time, and in 5.1 surround sound. Both the color and black-and-white versions are on the disk. Plus this DVD has loads of fantastic bonus material. Mike Nelson of Mystery Science Theater 3000 does a hilarious commentary track, cracking wise from start to finish. Grandpa's Marijuana Handbook, A short film by Grandpa Ganja himself, graces this edition and tells us everything we need to know about dope.

No question this is the "FEEL GOOD" DVD of the year!

I love popping this movie in every year or so. It is hilarious.
Made in the mid thirties to educate the masses on the dangers
of that most evil weed "marijuana". It has become a cult classic.
The message is "beware, one toke will turn your sons into crazed
killers, and your daughters into wild sex fiends".
If only finding a sex fiend was that simple. Oh, sorry, my mind
was wondering a bit there.
Dave O'Brien is great as one of those wild eyed, jittery, crazed
addicts who's mind has been destroyed from just a few tokes of
the killer weed.
Killer weed, you say? There goes my mind again, sorry.
Dorothy Short is not far behind, as her moral values quickly go
up in smoke.
This is a fun movie, best enjoyed with a few friends in a smoky
room.
Thanks, and keep the flame lit.
Tom

Even in spite of its unintentional humor, REEFER MADNESS is a very badly made film, so don't go plunking yourself down on the sofa with the idea that you're going to have a good laugh watching it from start to finish, because you probably won't: the joke wears thin too quickly.

On the other hand, REEFER MADNESS is a great little party film, particularly after every one has had a few drinks (or... whatever) Drop it in the VCR and you'll find that--as long as they aren't expected to actually sit and watch it with full attention--your guests will gravitate toward it and collapse with laughter at its absurdities. Who knew pot could make you play the piano like a fiend and throw yourself out of a windows? paying just enough attention to enjoy the "good parts" while tuning out the rest in favor of conversation. It provides some amusement AND acts as an ice breaker... So when you're breaking out the cocktail and the Cheese Whiz, keep this little movie close at hand just in case the party starts to falter. It goes over big!