Cooley High is a classic 1970s movie focusing upon two friends Preach (Glynn Turman) and Cochise (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) during their senior year in high school in Chicago. The film goes from scenario to scenario as the two skip school, go to parties, drive around in a stolen car, and especially trying to get with girls. All the goofing off however comes home to roost at the end in a very sad ending that captures some of what was going on in the 60s-70s. Cooley High is also known for its soundtrack which was made by Motown and being a rare African American coming of age film for its time.
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This movie is beyond legendary ..in some circles.. First of all I can relate to the movie for the "Hi'-jink's" that kids engaged in when we were brats.. First of all I'm a Southerner .. and not from the big cities so I have no understanding of "urban survival".. What draws me to this movie since I haven't seen it in about 15 years.. are the crazy character's..As a girl ..who didn't have a group of "female" friends in school because I was a loner ... and most of my friends were boys.. Kids in the 1960's-1970's had a certain freedom in larger cities that I did not have.. They rode city buses and subways that made their live's adventurous ..while I grew up on a farm very rare for many colored kids of my generation. My sheltered up bringing didn't expose me to gangs,violence Or drugs ..like most northern blacks in larger cities. I relate to these kids because they were simply enjoying the last few years of High school ..then either college, a job or marriage was in their horizon's.. They had a place like "Martha's" to hang out and listen to the jukebox... and dance.. Kids who lived in Northern cities had to ..grow up really .....FAST! When you notice the brawls ..these kids fought with their fists... Today flash forward..they use firearm's..now.! Kids also necked..and left "hicky's"..on their G-friends neck's.. Today ..Teen pregancy has soared since 1978 ..in many cities across America.. These kids had a special "high risk" freedom ..that I would have never seen due to my rural-conservative upbringing. The joy ride scene..where they flee from the police is my favorite ...when the man leaps out the passenger side of the car and yell's... "Whip-lash"..Whip-lash".. Lay down ... fool his lady friend screams.. LOL.. I also like the scene when they stick up the "hooker's" and flash a phony badge ... OMG ! (Hysteric's).. This movie has it's Good and bad point's.. Towards the end is when it's really sad..because of the loss of a dear childhood friend of "preach's"...is really eye opening .. The consequence's of who ..YOU should associate yourself with and NOT ..??

This movie is a story straight out of the Black Ghetto in the 60s. I can relate to the script the story and the situations. A young man living in the ghetto has dreams goals and aspirations. And through it all he continues to dream and seeks to make his dreams become a reality. Young gifted and black and foolish as it goes in the ghetto with youths getting into trouble of various types, this movie hits on the reality of growing up through it all. I have to order another copy because my ex ripped mine off.

My favorite movie as a young teen growing up. Now it is finally on Blu Ray . The plot is basically young teens growing up in Chi Town in the 60s even though there were some clothing issues with the styles of clothes that were out in the 70s finding their way into a 60s era movie. Must have been a limited budget. But still a fun movie with a sad ending. Hilton-Jacobs is great in his role backed by Thurman, who managed to play a teen despite being in his twenties when this movie was made. Loved seeing the old cars and buses when life was much simpler. The transfer to blu ray is done well.

I'm Gen X and I'd never seen this before. But now I know where ideas for Boyz in the Hood came from, as well as other movie troupes. A classic movie in every sense about urban life and how choices (both good and bad) can affect an outcome. A good watch.

A classic film, still relevant to this day. An alternately haunting, stirring and fun soundtrack of period classics that help propel the story line and convey the emotions of the characters just as perfectly as the "American Graffiti" soundtrack did.

Referenced in Run DMC lyrics, homaged by Boys to Men in song and video...a timeless treasure of Black American culture.

This is one of Chicago best movies about black teenagers in a big city. This movie gives hope to young people even though it has a strong delivery in it's message. And the soundtrack, yeah, it's a great soundtrack to this movie.

I really wish more people would watch, enjoy and learn from classic black films like this.