Fool-teen madness Folks, this is right up (or down, depending on your point of view) with other bits of classic so-bad it's-good pop culture foolishness as GRAVE ROBBERS FROM OUTER SPACE (aka Plan 9), REEFER MADNESS, LI'L PIMP, the Rudy Rau Moore "Dolemite" trilogy, and the song "Hollaback Girl."
Like REEFER MADNESS, this is an incredibly stupid 1930s film with the admittedly noble intention of keeping the kiddies klear of the wacky weed. But it's so ridiculous that it's hilarious! Early in the film, a drunk at the bar spills a beer bottle, and the camera shows the beer spilling between his knees, causing passerby to think....need I say it, people.
The loosey-goosey gals go gaga over the ganja at a bohemian beach bash, leading to their bucknaked romp in the ocean and...I'll let you see it to find out (try saying all this with a straight face).
Very old people who haven't gotten away from their backwoods farms since 1949 and EXTREMELY sheltered homeschooled geeks may find thid effective. But for everyone else, it's just a good belly-howl. See it and you'll understand.
pre-code marvel Even by Pre-Code standards this film pushes the limits. MARIHUANA is a movie along the same lines as "Reefer Madness" and "Assassin of Youth"; the story of a rich girl seduced by the 'giggle weed'.
Deeply resenting the entire family being pre-occupied by her sister's wedding to a rich and eligible young man; Burma (played by Harley Wood) gets caught up in the wrong group of kids, who spend their weekends skinny-dipping, smoking weed and having wienie roasts. It's during this party that Burma gets pregnant, but is forced to give the baby up for adoption.
Burma goes to work selling drugs to hooked and hopeless housewives (don't ask), before she comes up with a plan to kidnap her own sister's child and hold it for ransom...
MARIHUANA is a more-than-worthy companion piece to "Reefer Madness". Both feature some of the most bizarre and inane acting to ever find it's way onto the screen. Very much a Pre-Code production, MARIHUANA also features a scene of female nudity that I'm surprised even made it out of the cutting-room. Harley Wood plays the hard-boiled drug dame to the hilt, spewing out caustic lines like nobody's business!
If you enjoy your movies cheap and tawdry, you'll get a kick out of this.
The "giggle" weed strikes again! Teenagers beware! It could happen to you! Mix alcohol and the evil giggle weed and you could end up dead. Or even worse, you could become a hard-core drug pushing heroin addicted drug dealer!
So is the moral of the 1936 exploitation film "Marihuana". We even get to see a little bit of 1930's T&A!
Now what more could you ask for?? :)
I enjoyed watching Burma (Harlene Wood) go from happy go lucky teenager -to pregnant misfit- to "Blondie" the drug dealer, all in less than an hour!
A fun little film and certainly a time capsule of days long past! For fans of these types of movies, this is a must see classic!
What more could you ask for?? A bunch of stoned girls running around naked on the beach! Black and white 1930's boobies rule.
Fascinating Time Capsule! I watched this l930s exploitation flick along with two others: Assassins of Youth and Reefer Madness, but "Marihuana" was my favorite. You're given a glimpse into how Hollywood hopefuls tried desperately to prove themselves before even a Poverty Row camera. The clothes, the hairstyles and make-up are fascinating to study. Nobody had even heard of jeans back then, or casual attire. This was before the Big Band Sound and so the "in" kids did the Lindy Hop and other then hot dance numbers. The actress who portrayed Burma did a great job and you can almost believe that she was so desperate at the end that she did something that I can't say here since it would spoil your fun. Considering the ultra low budget that the movie-maker had to work with, he did a magical job of putting together this movie. The previews, by the way, are equally entertaining. Screaming warnings roll along the screen that demand "Mothers...Fathers...Discover Where Your Children Are Having Their Fun!..."
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
