Reefer Madness is a 1939 exploitation film directed by Louis J. Gasnier. Originally titled “Tell Your Children”, the film was financed by a church group as a morality tale to warn parents about the dangers of marijuana use. The plot follows a group of teenagers who are lured into trying marijuana by unscrupulous dealers, leading to a series of melodramatic events, including addiction, crime, insanity, and even murder. While intended as a serious warning, the film's exaggerated portrayal of marijuana's effects has made it a cult classic, often viewed as unintentional satire. Rediscovered in the 1970s, it became a favorite among advocates of cannabis reform and is now considered one of the most infamous propaganda films ever made.

Credits:
Director: Louis J. Gasnier
Producer: George Hirliman
Starring: Dorothy Short, Kenneth Craig, Lillian Miles, Dave O'Brien
Screenplay: Arthur Hoerl
Cinematography: Jack Greenhalgh

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