Customer Reviews

Violent Years [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Pajama parties, heavy petting, murder, mayhem, the mob, dope rings and illegitimate babies born behind bars. Ed Wood was way before his time. He was the original Jerry Springer. I am a firm believer that flicks like this must be reviewed by fans of the genre, because let's face it - who else would want to watch them? For you fans, this one is a keeper, in a hilarious "Reefer Madness" sort of way. The plot is typical Wood fare and the actors struggle bravely to keep up with the speed of the film running through the camera. Rich spoiled babes stick up gas stations, rip the clothes off good gals and force rich guys to do their bidding. I wonder which part of Ed's brain brought this premise to paper. It's one of those "do you know where your children are?" horror stories. I give this debacle four stars because despite the subject manner, lack of decent actors, script, props and...for that matter...plot...Ed Wood followed his dream. He got his films made. So you "roughie" and "thrill kitten" fans, give this a whirl. Everyone else should run quickly in the opposite direction.

"The Violent Years" is a camp classic with the emphasis on the camp. This 1956 film scripted by the legendary bad movie director Ed Wood (the film is actually directed by William Morgan) begins with four young hellions walking disdainfully by a blackboard on which the rules of propriety have been written. Meanwhile, a narrator intones: "This is a story of violence, of violence born in the uncontrolled passions of adolescent youth and fostered by this generation of parents, those who, in their own smug little world of selfish interests and confused ideas of parental supervision, refuse to believe today's glaring headlines." There is Georgia (Theresa Hancock), Geraldine (Joanne Cangi), Phyllis (Gloria Farr), and the leader of the pack, Paula Parkins (Jean Moorhead). Paula's parents are too busy to have heart to hearts with their little girl anymore and so she and the other gals start up a gang so they can rob gas stations, attacks young men at Lover's Lane, and mainly having as much fun as they can on the road to Hell.

Now, as you have come to expect with any film bearing the Ed Wood label, the dialogue is horrible, the acting is nonexistent, and the lecture the judge gives Paula's parents at the end of the film is an absolute hoot, all of which speaks to the appeal of this film. It is so bad that you keep munching on the popcorn through all the pajama parties, heavy petting, murder, mayhem, dope rings, and the baby born in jail to keep your jaw from laying on the floor. On this Rhino video the 70-minute film is sandwiched by the commentary of former teenage thrill kitten Mamie Van Doren (star of such classics as "Untamed Youth," "High School Confidential," and "Girls Town") who makes a series of lame jokes. But the theme songs for "Teenage Theater," which both starts and ends the tape, sets the stage for this camp classic and gets you in the proper mood. This is not a first tier Ed Wood film but it is still enjoyably bad and you can make up your own crude jokes and barbs even if, like me, you missed this particular turkey on "MST3K."

This is my all-time fave film to laugh at. The thing is, it's NOT a comedy; it's a deadly serious "cautionary tale" about parents ignoring their children, who as a result turn to delinquency and the ramifications for everyone around. For this film alone, Ed Wood Jr (who wrote the screenplay but did not direct it) deserves to be remembered.

Very close to Russ Meyer territory- guns, women, violence, a wimpy guy getting what he so richly deserves. Another classic from the fertile mind of Mr. Wood. If only the original casting proposal of Donna Reed and Dinah Shore as two of the girl JD's had gone through, this would have been on everybody's "100 greatest" list.

It's been awhile since I've written a review, but what better way to get back into the swing of things than with a movie so bad it's hilariously entertaining. When I saw the cover to the DVD featuring the chick with the tight sweater and torpedo mammaries I was interested, when I turned it over and saw the name "Ed Wood", I was sold. I knew I was in for a treat.

This film is inept and terrible, but as entertaining as a decent film. That was the genious of Ed Wood. Most bad movies are a chore to sit through, but Ed's movies are even worse than the worst of bad movies, but you cannot stop watching, laughing, and enjoying yourself. The Violent Years will never reach the levels of Plan 9 from Outer Space, but this is a damn fine film if you are an Ed Wood fan.

Paula is a 25 year old teenager who doesn't get any attention from her parents. Her father is so busy running his newspaper that he can only get poor Paula a brand new watch for her birthday year after year!! And her mother is so wrapped up in her charity work that she never has time for mother/daughter heart to heart chats. So what is a poor teenage girl in 1956 supposed to do? Naturally she starts up a gang and goes on a crime spree.

They stick up gas stations, force girls to strip off their pretty sweaters at gunpoint, and rape men at lovers lane. But the grand finale of their crime spree is a hoot that must be seen to be believed.

They have a 'contact' who has a 'contact' that will pay good money for school vandalism. Why you ask? Paula asks also which is the most intelligent thing she does throughout the movie. The contact tells her never mind and not to ask questions. This is good advice for this film, don't ask questions, just go with it. So off they go to their high school to take revenge on their hated teacher and get paid for doing it.

Well classroom destruction in 1956 is a little different than the Columbine massacre. One girl actually ERASES the blackboard! The horror!! Desks are overturned as well, and the teachers desk calandar is ripped in half. Oh the humanity! After a window is broken (the horror), the cops show up and a shootout ensues. The cops are out on the street hiding behind their police cars firing at the girls who are returning fire from the classroom. One girl is shot and has a final line so unforgettable and stupid you'll find yourself hitting the << button just to hear it again. Another girl gets shot outside during their escape. But watch how this escape goes. The girls are moving so slow and they are practically right in front of the cops when they get in their car! They even drive their car right past the cops and the getaway car passes by the parked cop car by inches. It is so ridiculous you'll laugh your hiney off and wonder if there was a way the scene could possibly be worse!

Of course everyone who gets shot never has a bullet hole in their clothes, a drop of blood spilled, or even a look of pain on their faces.

Well poor Paula is actually pregnant (and unmarried! The HORROR!!!!) She dies in childbirth and the baby becomes a ward of the state.

One of the unsung highlights of this film is the judge. His mundane speeches that could never actually be spoken by a human being in real life will have you rolling with laughter. "My old friend, it is hard to judge an old friend, espescially when he is an old friend...."

The Violent Years

Yes, this is a camp classic with wonderfully absurd scenarios, fabulous fifties outfits, dated homilies, ridiculous dialogue and plenty of sex and rock 'n roll. The film is so bad it's laughable and the situations are totally unbelievable. But for those of you planning on buying the DVD, cave canem! Buyer'd best beware because the quality of the film is terrible -- it's a faded black and white and the images are about as sharp as a butter knife. This is obviously an image recorded off a projection screen so anyone who really is a film buff, don't buy this DVD no matter how cheap it is! Even the sound quality sucks! OK, the lines are priceless and the hackneyed moralizing may be worth $2.99, $8.99, or whatever it costs. But be prepared for an extremely low quality film.

I figured this movie was gonna be pure cheese, but it was actually alright. Paula is a mega-spoiled rich girl who acts all prim and proper but is actually a hard-livin' hoodlum who, along with her all girl gang, rob gas stations, molest boys at gun point (off camera), steal, vandalize the school, kill a cop and throw wild pajama parties.

Written by the great Ed Wood, Jr. THE VIOLENT YEARS would have been much better if it was also directed by him instead of William Morgan who's closet claim to fame was being the editor on SONG OF THE SOUTH, which by the way was a good movie.

If Ed Wood had directed this film, as well as scripted it, the movie might have been a jd version of Jail Bait. But, alas, the direction is merely mediocre and thus doesn't rise to the top of the pond. The plot is stagnant and the dialogue so dry that any breath of camp would have evaporated in the actors' scowling mouths!

Well, all in all I should known what to expect. Early '50s, classic cars, violence that would be rated "G" today, but an interesting and fun snapshot in time for those who were putzing around then. Probably would not watch again, but then the price was right!

I bought this because I had learned that the sampling from Ministry's "So What" was from this movie and had hoped that the movie would be as good as the song. I was disappointed; however, the movie was worth watching (I guess), since it was short anyway.