art of sucre - Shop now
Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Select delivery location

Reefer Madness

Dorothy Short (Actor) Format: DVD
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 391 ratings
IMDb4.5/10.0
Watch Instantly with Rent Buy
Assassin of Youth $0.99 $2.99
Format NTSC
Contributor Dorothy Short
Language English
Runtime 1 hour and 21 minutes
Number Of Discs 1

Product Description

Product Description

When sold by Amazon.com, this product will be manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Review

This unabashed propaganda film (also known by the title Tell Your Children, a dead giveaway) has become a cult classic of comically bad cinema due to its dated, alarmist views on the dangers of "marijuana addiction" and the exaggerated symptoms thereof. After the onscreen prologue that declares "Something must be done to wipe out this ghastly menace," Reefer Madness launches into a case study of clean-cut WASP couple Bill (Kenneth Craig) and Mary (Dorothy Short), high schoolers who play tennis and drink tea on the back porch. Their friend Jimmy (Warren McCollum) introduces them to a pot dealer named Jack (Carleton Young), who invites Bill up to his den of inequity, where stoned ne'er-do-wells laugh fiendishly, dance, and play the piano. After one joint, Bill is hooked, and his life begins to plummet down the tubes -- he starts flunking school and becomes a promiscuous regular in Jack's apartment. When a worried Mary tracks Bill down, she too is given a joint and begins giggling uncontrollably while being aggressively fondled by the bizarre addict Ralph (Dave "Tex" O'Brien). When Bill bursts out of the bedroom to tangle with Ralph, hallucinating and blacking out, Mary is accidentally shot. This prompts a string of guilt and calamitous occurrences, including several more deaths and courtroom sentences to mental institutions, all because of the devil weed. The film ends with the ominous warning, "The dread marijuana may be reaching forth next for your son or daughter...or yours...or YOURS!" --Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.33:1
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 3.5 ounces
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ B000WDVIWE
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 21 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ November 28, 2015
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Dorothy Short
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ A2ZCDS
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000WDVIWE
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 391 ratings

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
391 global ratings
YOU CAN'T GO WRONG
5 out of 5 stars
YOU CAN'T GO WRONG
MARENGO FILMS PUT BOTH REEFER MADNESS & MARIHUANA THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE REMASTERING PROCESS. THE FILMS WENT THOUGH A SOUND DESIGN, AND SCENE FOR SCENE COLOR CORRECTION.FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS THE NUDE SCENES ON THE BEACH CAN BE CLEARLY SEEN,THE CRACKLES AND BUMPS ON THE SOUND TRACKS ARE GONE. THE MUD IS GONE FROM THE DARK SCENES AND THE LIGHT SCENES HAVE PROPER CONTRAST.WE BELIEVE THESE PRINTS ARE THE FINEST PRINTS OF THESE TWO FILMS ON THE MARKET.AND... ALL OF MARENGO FILMS' PRODUCTS ARE 100% MADE IN AMERICA... HOW ABOUT THAT?WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS - MARENGO FILMS
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Anthony Collins
5.0 out of 5 stars A funny look at the way they thought of pot
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
Verified Purchase
A great look at the way they thought of pot very funny
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Miss Rock
5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, good grief, rotten tomatoes !!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
One of the worse movies ever made. A kid could watch this movie and see the lies. The untrue situations are so farfetched, it is laughable. My recommendation, light up a fat joint and watch this movie. Lots of giggles.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Tamara Hunnicutt Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Twofer!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2006
Verified Purchase
I got the twofer from Promodvds ("Reefer Madness with Hemp for Victory" AND "Stoner Shorts vol.1") and was floored! If you have any interest in social history, or just want to laugh until you puke, you have to get this. The main features are 2 anti - drug films and 2 "social films". These were actually made to be played for kids in school! The "Social" films seem to be made for the purpose of discussion in maybe a high school social studies class or something. Get some friends together to watch these because I guarantee you'll wanna discuss this stuff MST3000 style! Oh, and the Betty Boop cartoons - I had NO idea she was so naughty, or controversial. I had looked this DVD up at stonershortsdvd [dot] com - there's more info than their amazon store, and there is a reel in quicktime of clips from the DVD- -I had to get this after seeing the reel and am so glad I did.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jason R. Korsiak
4.0 out of 5 stars Mike Nelson sans his robot friends, Murderous Pot Heads
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2009
Verified Purchase
'Reefer Madness' opens with a long scrolling prologue, outlining some of the dangers of 'marihuana,' its various 'soul-destroying' aspects including uncontrollable laughter, violent outbursts, and incurable insanity. It began as a simple morality piece produced by a church, but was taken over by one of the most infamous exploitation directors of the 30's.

Simply put, 'Reefer Madness' is terrible. It is one of the worst movies ever made. It had no artistic directorial style, dry dialogue, and inconsistent pace, and worst of all a complete lack of understanding about its subject matter. According the the filmmakers, marijuana users are uncontrollable, amoral, cackling madmen. One segment of dialogue even speaks of a young boy, a "marijuana addict" who, under the influence of the drug, butchered his family with an axe.

However, the film (terrible as it may be) is one of those films that are so terrible they are a joy to watch for the hilarity they bring. It is by far on the funniest non-comedies I have ever seen.

What makes the viewing of this film all the more rich is the masterful construction of this DVD. It gives us a somewhat remastered print, rendered in dizzying psychedelic color (with the black and white presentation for all those purists out there), and most important a commentary track by Mystery Science Theater 3000 alumni Mike Nelson.

If you are a fan of either the movie itself, or MST3K, this is a must own.

Also, important to note, this dvd is NOT for the musical version, it is for the original 1930's film.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Robert W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very funny and entertaining with narration.
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
You have to watch it with the guy from Mystery Science Theater 3000 narrating, otherwise the ignorance of the original movie producers will frustrate you. Kind of like politicians today that say marijuana is addictive and leads to harder drugs. We all know it's your psychology that drives you to harder drugs, and marijuana is as addictive as oreo cookies.

I'm 63 this year, and marijuana possession was a felony in my day. It's reminiscent of the paranoia and hatred of long hairs during that time...stupid-ignorant-bully establishment. Like Keith Richards said, " Let me be clear about this. I don't have a drug problem. I have a police problem."
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Sound Guy
1.0 out of 5 stars proposing to screen it to neighbors and am extremely disappointed in the DVD pressing
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
I originally viewed this in the mid-70's on 16 mm film in a University Criminology class to help examine how public policy is made.Quite enlightening! I purchase this DVD for entertainment purposes, proposing to screen it to neighbors and am extremely disappointed in the DVD pressing. I will not attempt to show it to others.It appears to be a poor transfer from film to DVD and a further copy of a DVD. Although there are no blemishes on the disc, there are multiple places where the player can't read the data.There are also several generational losses in fidelity.The hair jiggling in the upper right of the frame does not enhance that "original" look. The audio is horrible. I have 2 different copies of the original "Little Shop of Horrors" and there is also a world of difference between them - one is enjoyable and the other is not. As a fan of old films and music, there is real dis-service done to these old treasures when they are duplicated with little regard to preserving the original fidelity of the original recordings, whether film or audio. Additional barriers (besides time) between the current viewer and the directors' original vision amount to disregard, at best, and contempt, at worst for both the originator and the consumer, all for a quick, small profit. I don't mind paying more for fidelity. I love my Criterion DVD's and paid handsomely for them.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Firekeeper
3.0 out of 5 stars Classic?
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
This OK I guess. Not as funny as the propaganda films I sat through in combat training. I wish the government would let everyone see the hand grenade or how to dig a poop hole video. Now those are quit humurous. Anyone that has been in the service has been asked more than a million times if they ever smoked Mary Jane. In the service it seemed liked they wanted me to say I did. I was asked every day thought my career. Funniest moment was when I had diarrhea. The Commander came in and was all sympathetic and caring and talked to me while I sat on the craper. We talked about some deep emotional crap ( very touching hallmark junk) then he got real quit and glared at me with his laser beam eyes. He says, "Son, now you be honest and straight with me. I care about you and your future. ...Have you ever or have you ever wanted or thought about or maybe even ever smoked weed whilst you knew it or not?" "No sir.".
" you ever have dreams about smoking weed?" "No sir"
"You sure son? " " yes sir"
" Flush your waste matter you stinking grunt" "I sir"
That's my story. This film cant live up to that moment. So this is for you main stream pot head dope smoking zombie cyborgs out there.
PEACE!!!!!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Greg the Bags
5.0 out of 5 stars Old School 😛
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
Funny and stupid at the same time. I still enjoy the stupid dvd.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Jason Garrett
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious Propaganda!
Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 2024
Verified Purchase
This movie is a perfect example of the phrase “Unintentional Humour / Comedy”. If you like weird, obscure, strange movies this movie will be a good addition to your collection.
Report
Ian Davies
1.0 out of 5 stars Versión americana, no sirve en Europa.
Reviewed in Spain on August 30, 2023
Verified Purchase
No entiendo como no lo dice en Amazon, no sirve en Europa.
Report
Neily
5.0 out of 5 stars Stoned its much funnier
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
It's totally over the top and highly incorrect to the effects of Hemp. If you think to yourself that their all drunk then it makes more sense but this film was to put people off smoking the herb. As a reefer smoker I found it a good experience and best watching when stoned as it's so much funnier. Of course pot doesn't make you violet but it was a time in history when racist Americans believed all bad things came from African Americans and thought black plus weed was the downfall of society. They were wrong in both areas black power and Hemp are now things that make America a more loving, caring and peaceful country
Report
Stefy
3.0 out of 5 stars One thousand steps beyond
Reviewed in France on December 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
"Reefer Madness" est un film tout bonnement hallucinant ! Eh oui. Cernons l'affaire: en 1936 un certain Louis Gasnier tourne ce film, commandité par un groupement catholique. But du film: montrer à tous, et spécialement aux parents, les dangers de la marijuana. Louable entreprise...

Sauf que, voilà, le film, qui se veut pourtant très sérieux et concerné, raconte tout bonnement n'importe quoi. Car ici, des jeunes gens bien comme il faut, en tirant sur leur premier joint, deviennent subitement complètement hystériques, se retrouvent bourrés de tics psychotiques aberrants et, surtout, complètement absurdes d'un point de vue scientifique ou même simplement raisonnable.

Avec un joint, d'après ce film, on devient complètement immédiatement zinzin, on sombre de suite dans une addiction carabinée et on adopte très vite un comportement des plus névrotiques. Pensez donc: on tombe dans la débauche la plus immorale (si, si) et on finit par tuer, violer ou se suicider. Bref, du gros n'importe quoi pour dénoncer les méfaits de la drogue.

A regarder ça aujourd'hui, on n'en revient pas, c'est tout bonnement hallucinant, comme je le disais au début, et consternant. Parce qu'outre une vision ultraréactionnaire et méchamment moralisatrice de la société où chacun doit bien gentiment rester à sa place et se comporter de la façon attendue, c'est-à-dire en intégrant tous les codes sociaux de la bienséance sans ne jamais rien remettre en question, avec un effarant pouvoir gouvernemental et policier réprimant dans les grandes largeurs tous les réfractaires sous prétexte que ces derniers ont non seulement forcément tort mais sont même dangereux, le message est on ne peut plus limite. Car enfin, et on le sait bien, devant une telle désinformation, quand le jeune aura compris qu'on lui a raconté des craques (hum...) au sujet de la marijuana, pas étonnant alors qu'il se tourne alors ensuite vers des drogues vraiment dangereuses en se disant que ce doit être la même chose, qu'on lui raconte n'importe quoi.

Aujourd'hui, regarder ce film fait donc bien marrer. A regarder en priorité à plusieurs avec des potes (et du matos). Attention cependant, "Reefer Madness" n'est pas vraiment un nanar. Certes les acteurs sur-jouent les comportements "sous influence" mais le film est plutôt bien filmé et monté, avec un réel souci de qualité technique. C'est juste qu'être si totalement à côté de la plaque, ça vous pose un film. A en devenir culte, ce qui est le cas. Bref, une curiosité décalée sympathique qui vaut son coup d'œil vitreux aux pupilles dilatés. De rire.
Report
Joachim Meyer
5.0 out of 5 stars gut
Reviewed in Germany on October 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
ein film der die "Aufklärung" über Dope durch die damalige Regierung beinhaltet. Ein echtes Zeitdokument, wie damals darüber gedacht wurde.
Report