Reefer Madness - Alex, what is - why this post was posted?
Posted on 01/17/2005 8:38:40 PM PST by new cruelty
LOS ANGELES - Actress Thelma White, best known for playing a drug addict in "Reefer Madness," a 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film that resurfaced decades later as a cult classic, has died. She was 94.
She died of pneumonia Tuesday at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in the city's Woodland Hills section, her godson, Michael Homeier said.
White played a hard-boiled blond named Mae who peddles "demon weed" to unsuspecting youths in the low-budget cautionary tale written by a religious group about the dangers of marijuana. In the film, she lures high school students to her apartment for sex and drugs, turning them into hopeless addicts who shoot their girlfriends, run over pedestrians and go insane.
A musical and comedy actress who made more than 40 movies with the likes of W.C. Fields, Will Rogers, and others, White was horrified when RKO studios picked her for the film. She had little choice but to accept the role because of her contract.
"I'm ashamed to say that it's the only one of my films that's become a classic," White, told The Times in a 1987 interview. "I hide my head when I think about it ... a dreadful film."
Born in 1910, White was a carnival performer as a toddler, progressed to vaudeville, radio and movies, then worked as an agent and producer for many years.
The movie was destined for obscurity, but in 1972 Keith Stroup, the founder of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, discovered it in the Library of Congress archives, bought a print and screened it at a New York benefit.
The movie was seen by Robert Shaye, who recognized its appeal as a hilarious, if unintentional, parody. He rereleased it through his then-fledgling company, New Line Cinema, holding midnight showings until the film became a high-camp hit, especially popular on college campuses.
Born Thelma Wolpa in Lincoln, Neb., in 1910, White was the daughter of itinerant carnival performers who traveled throughout the Midwest. She made her debut at age 2 when her parents stuck her in a line of dolls and at the appropriate moment cued her to start cooing and wiggling.
In 1928, White signed with RKO Studios, which cast her in short films such as "A Night in a Dormitory," "Sixteen Sweeties" and "Ride 'Em Cowboy!"
White twice saw an off-Broadway musical that spoofed the movie in 1999 despite her reliance on a wheelchair and an oxygen tank.
The musical play "was campy and over the top, and she loved it," said Homeier, White's only survivor.
I believe I saw the film in the early 70's at Penn State.
What kind of movies were these?
Does the posted thread bother you?
Dreadful doesn't even begin to describe it. I showed it to my 14 yr. old, and we both were laughing so hard, we had to turn it off.
LOL, yeah they have rather interesting names.
IMDB shows all three to be comedies. The more things change?
As I noted, I barely recall seeing it. I remember a guy playing the piano really fast. I also remember it seemed kind of camp, a little like the films they would show us in driver's ed.
I thought it was interesting that the film was re-released by New Line Cinema.
Click on picture above for larger image.
I've seen the DVD version for purchase at one of the 'sale bins' at the 'SoundShop' in the past year or so. The price seemed to be pretty modest if I recall. So it may be good for a couple of cheap laughs.
[Actress Thelma White, best known for playing a drug addict in "Reefer Madness," a 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film that resurfaced decades later as a cult classic, has died. She was 94.]
Another life cut tragically short by the evil effects of "reefer" addiction. When will these Hollywood types learn.
*Sob... Sniff.*
snicker.
Did you go to one of the midnight showings? When I was in college (86-91), the thing to watch on campus were Rocky Horror or weekly episodes Spy Smasher and King of the Rocket Men serials.
BLOOD FLOWS RED ON THE HIGHWAY!
Aw, jeez, not this $#!& again!!!!
I've seen it and it's hilarious if you actually know anything at all about marijuana. As a propaganda film in those far off times when few people did, however, it made its mark.
Some say that Harry Anslinger used it with Congress to get the national marijuana drug law passed.
"Death on the Highway"! and, don't forget "Safety in Shop Class".
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