Tonight's movie was "High School Confidential" (1958), the Beat Era classic - some might say "camp classic" - about Hepcat Teenagers falling prey to the menace of marijuana at the local high school. Russ Tamblyn of "West Side Story" fame stars as the New Kid in school, who quickly establishes himself as cooler and more badass than the other BMOCs (big men on campus), because he can talk the teen lingo nonstop. He's no shrinking violet, and he stands up to the school's reigning tough guys right away, and even hits on his attractive, conservative teacher. He has an unusual home life, too. He lives with his aunt (Mamie Van Doren), who is constantly hitting on him. Whoa!, right?
Yeah, it's pretty weird, haha, but it isn't played too Over The Top. It just seems a bit outre because they had Mamie Van Doren play the "aunt"....
Well anyway (ahem, cough cough), so Russ Tamblyn is now established at the school as a #1 Cool Cat and Tough Guy, but he isn't much of a student, which leads The Attractive Teacher to offer him academic guidance, only that's not the kind of guidance Tamblyn has in mind.
He has no problem with Chicks, and he mostly puts them on the back burner because he has a higher priority in mind : he wants to sell marijuana to the student body and get 'em all hooked. He is a businessman first and foremost, money is his thing. Therefore, the more users, the better.
He gets involved with the school's most Hep Cat (played by John Drew Barrymore of the famous Barrymore Clan), and this guy is also a low level dealer. He can get Tamblyn some "grass".
But Tamblyn wants more. He has been to a local jazz club and seen a chick strung out on heroin. Now, that is what he wants to sell, because of it's addictive power.
So, with the help of Barrymore, he works his way up the ladder until he is allowed to meet "Mr. A", the big time dealer who has the Junk for sale in quantity.
And as you might guess by this point, that's all I can tell you about the plot.
Lest you take it too seriously, I might point out that it's almost - but not quite - the type of movie John Waters might have been influenced by, because of it's 1950s straight-laced but rebellious and unconventional morality and innuendo. It's almost campy, but not quite because of the straight arrow element. The 1950s teen lingo is so thick in the first 30 minutes that you'll probably want a translator. You really have to pay attention to understand what these kids are saying, haha.
There are some great moments, as in one scene in the jazz club, where a Beat Poetess (Philippa Fallon) recites an acerbic poem, with flourish. Rocker Jerry Lee Lewis is also featured, rocking a street concert at the beginning of the film and again later on, for a reprise.
"High School Confidential" was shot in black and white by director Jack Arnold, a craftsman of the time who had many credits to his name, including a majority of the "Gilligan's Island" episodes, so you know he rules in my book. :)
It is a movie, made in 1958, about the onrushing Teenage Culture that had never before existed in the commercial sense. This was the pop culture of Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N Roll that was to completely dominate the 60s and 70s, and then diverge in other directions in the 80s, mostly into further commericalism, including the commercialism of drugs, which as we know was not a good thing.
Despite it's "cult film" feel, I give "High School Confidential" Two Thumbs Up, especially because of an important twist that keeps things on the level. You will see what I mean when you watch it. :)
Elizabeth, I saw your post about the frog a little while ago. Yeah, he can climb because of those little suction cups on his feet. He probably just wanted to check in, see what was going on. Be glad that he didn't bring a zillion of his buddies along, in a Rain Of Frogs or some such. :)
I liked your picture of Leaf Art, too. At first I wasn't sure if it was a photograph or a painting or drawing, but after several looks I am gonna go with.....photograph.
The frog probably saw it too, and headed for his new home.
See you in the morning. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo :):)
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