‘Reefer Madness,’ the P.S.A. That Backfired Spectacularly
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- "Good-bad" movies are films that may not be great cinema but are highly entertaining due to their memorable ridiculousness and absurd elements.
- The 1936 film "Reefer Madness" exemplifies this genre, blending propaganda with unintentional humor about the dangers of marijuana.
- The film humorously exaggerates marijuana's effects, linking laughter to escalating mental disturbances and violent behavior in a deliberately over-the-top manner.
- Originally a morality tale titled "Tell Your Children," "Reefer Madness" was later re-cut into an exploitation film, gaining cult status for its campy portrayal of cannabis use.
