Assassin of Youth (1937) is an exploitation film directed by Elmer Clifton. It is a pre-WWII movie about the supposed ill effects of cannabis. The movie is often considered a clone of the much more famous Reefer Madness (sharing cast member Dorothy Short). The thriller reflects perfectly the anti-drug propaganda of its time.The journalist Art Brighton goes undercover to investigate the granddaughter of a recently deceased rich woman, killed in a drug-related car crash. The girl, Joan Barrie, will inherit the fortune of her grandmother if she is able to fulfill a morals clause in the will. Joan's cousin Linda Clayton and her husband Jack will try to frame Joan to acquire the fortune themselves.
The journalist tries to save Joan and dismantle the criminal gang of marijuana-dealing youths to which Linda belongs. While the newspaper tries to show the horrible dangers of marijuana to the general public, violence scales in the town in the form of obscene all-night drug parties where anything can happen.
A key concluding scene in a courtroom involves the prosecution of Joan. Just as the judge is about to pass sentence the journalist Art Brighton rushes in with evidence exposing Linda's involvement in the drug distribution. The film ends announcing Joan's engagement to Art.
Cast:
Luana Walters as Joan Barry
Arthur Gardner as Art Brighton
Dorothy Short as Marjorie 'Marge' Barry
Earl Dwire as Henry 'Pop' Brady
Fern Emmett as Henrietta Frisbee
Henry Roquemore as Judge George Herbert
Fay McKenzie as Linda Clayton
Michael Owen as Jack Howard
The journalist tries to save Joan and dismantle the criminal gang of marijuana-dealing youths to which Linda belongs. While the newspaper tries to show the horrible dangers of marijuana to the general public, violence scales in the town in the form of obscene all-night drug parties where anything can happen.
A key concluding scene in a courtroom involves the prosecution of Joan. Just as the judge is about to pass sentence the journalist Art Brighton rushes in with evidence exposing Linda's involvement in the drug distribution. The film ends announcing Joan's engagement to Art.
Cast:
Luana Walters as Joan Barry
Arthur Gardner as Art Brighton
Dorothy Short as Marjorie 'Marge' Barry
Earl Dwire as Henry 'Pop' Brady
Fern Emmett as Henrietta Frisbee
Henry Roquemore as Judge George Herbert
Fay McKenzie as Linda Clayton
Michael Owen as Jack Howard
Category
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Short film