Assassin of Youth
Assassin of Youth

Movie spotlight

Assassin of Youth

1938
Movie
80 min
English

A high-school girl gets involved with a ring of teenage marijuana smokers and starts down the road to ruin. A reporter poses as a soda jerk to infiltrate the gang of teen dope fiends.

Insights

IMDb4.1/10
Director: Edward D. Wood Jr.Genres: Exploitation, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A young woman travels to Hollywood seeking a new life but falls into a world of drug addiction and crime. Her descent is shown through a series of increasingly desperate and dangerous situations. The film attempts to portray the perils of marijuana use and the underbelly of the entertainment industry.

Critical Reception

Assassin of Youth is a notorious exploitation film, widely considered one of Edward D. Wood Jr.'s early, low-budget efforts. It is known more for its sensationalist portrayal of drug use and its often amateurish filmmaking than for critical acclaim. It has gained a cult following over the years due to its historical context as a "reefer madness" film and its association with Wood's later, more famous works.

What Reviewers Say

  • Seen as a primitive example of "drug scare" cinema.

  • Features lurid and often unintentionally humorous depictions of marijuana's supposed effects.

  • Hailed by some for its earnest, albeit misguided, attempt to warn against drug use, and by others for its sheer camp value.

Google audience: Audience reception is largely focused on its historical significance as an early propaganda film about marijuana. Many viewers find it fascinating from a cult film perspective, noting its dated and melodramatic approach.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

This film was made before Edward D. Wood Jr. gained notoriety for directing films like 'Plan 9 from Outer Space'; it is often cited as an early example of his distinctive, low-budget filmmaking style.

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