Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical

American musicals have taken a bit of a beating as of late. While I haven't seen any musical releases this year thus far, I saw two, highly advertised ones last year. The absolutely dreadful Rock of Ages (2012) and the Les Miserables (2012). Even if you disagree with my assessment of these two films, even if you think they aren't abhorrent wastes of time and patience, you have to admit no modern musical since Chicago (2002) has had exciting dance sequences that harken back to the best of MGM.
instantly forgettable

That is unless you include the Showtime made-for-TV movie Reefer Madness (2004) which I do. For while Les Miserables contained elaborate sets (most of which you couldn't see due to all the f***ing close-ups) and Rock of Ages contained big name stars, Reefer Madness contained sixteen complex musical numbers complete with masterful choreography and an infectious sense of humor. Oh, and it's about pot.

...and then the angels sing.

Reefer Madness follows the story of Jimmy Harper (Christian Campbell), a strapping young lad of some sixteen summers. He falls for a girl by the name of Mary Lane (Kristen Bell) but also falls into the clutches of scurrilous drug dealer Jack (Steven Weber), his weak-willed girlfriend Mae (Ana Gasteyer) and their fellow pot groupies (Amy Spanger and John Kassir). Can true love carry the day and save Jimmy from the evil influences of marijuana? Or will the devil weed take him and his you love with him.

I got me the munchies real bad Jack!

The musical is based on a 1936 propaganda film of the same name. When it was released it was a tale of caution against the dangers of marijuana. When it resurfaced in the 60's, 70's and beyond, Reefer Madness became a cult classic largely because of its cheesy, over-the-top story and its egregious misrepresentation of pot and its dangers.

Now I don't personally smoke the stagger leaf myself. I see no point in smoking something that will distort the way I see the world for a few hours. That's what I have movies for. But with statistics being thrown out like, "four out of five cases of violent crimes are committed by dope slaves," and

How a musical is supposed to look!

"marijuana has an addictive power beyond that of cocaine and heroin," you can't help but giggle at the after school special gone awry. Even Thelma White, the actress who played the original Mae was tickled by the movies original screenplay. She would later live to see Reefer Madness become an off-Broadway musical and was invited by the creators to opening night.

Released by Showtime Networks on DVD, Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical has become somewhat of a cult favorite in its own right even if it didn't make it to the big screen. For just like the 1986 update on the 1960 Roger Corman original Little Shop of Horrors, Reefer Madness updates the material inserting an acerbic yet eager sense of humor and musical numbers. And boy is it a sight to see.

Actually Billy Campbell was on The 4400

Credit must be given to veteran TV scribes Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney (Who also wrote the original musical). Their penchant for quality small screen scrawling and collaboration created a movie that jumps off the screen. Veteran TV actors Ana Gasteyer of Saturday Night Live (1975-Present) fame, Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars (2004-2007) fame, Steven Weber of Wings (1990-1997) fame and Christian Campbell of...I want to say The 4400 (2004-2007) fame, all make valiant and worthwhile efforts in their respective parts. John Kassir, who played the voice of the Crypt Keeper in pervasive horror series Tales From the Crypt (1989-1996) takes home the prize for most hilariously over-the-top performance as Ralph, the pot-addled college boy.
How deliciously absurd is Reefer Madness? Even the DVD case smells of chocolate. Watch it because you must. Then watch it again because you want to. It's the Rocky Horror (1975) of the Bush years. The Little Shop of Horrors of premium cable and even if you watch Reefer Madness and don't think it's all that and a dime bag of weed, it's still has more to offer stylistically than something as trite as Rock of Ages.

Final Grade: A