This heavy-handed documentary warning of the evils of marijuana is narrated by someone who speaks slowly in a deep, foreboding voice. Plunked down in the middle of a late 1950s small town, we get to see some beautiful two-toned, big-finned autos and 1940s teenagers played by men and women in their early thirties. We get a full lesson in marijuana; we learn how much it goes for, what parts of the pot plant are best used for a joint, how to roll it and recognize the real stuff and are told where to buy it and how to smoke it for the maximum effect. There is also enough underworld jargon of the era so the novice pothead can wander into a town and sling the lingo well enough so that the local pushers will sell to him. Just what the curious teenager needs to know, including just what the cops will be looking for, those undercover cops in full uniforms!
11 Reviews
Very informative but also painfully dull.
planktonrules21 January 2010
This DVD from Alpha Video is a mess to watch. Through much of the film, you can't tell whether or not the movie was originally made in black & white or color--it's that faded. In addition, the print is very fuzzy--with the details being rather blurry. It's obvious that Alpha didn't restore the film in any manner--something typical of all of the Alpha releases I've seen. On one hand I love Alpha because they have released many things that aren't available elsewhere. On the other, their DVDs never have captions and often have horrible prints.
As for the film, it's produced by the police and the narration sounds a lot like a much more serious version of Jack Webb. There is no dialog in the film, as it's essentially silent with the narrator explaining the action and dispensing lots and lots and lots of information about the various drugs seen in 1958--with the exception of alcohol. The information is very informative and was great for police and community information purposes. Most of the information was pretty accurate though the material given on marijuana did seem a bit overstated (I am NOT an apologist for pot nor am I recommending it--the film, however, makes it seem about as harmful as heroin and barbiturates). However, it was also incredibly dry and dull and after a while I have a devil of a time staying awake! Overall, it's a film that most probably would not care to see. Since this film debuted, many better anti-drug films have been released and seeing THE NARCOTICS STORY is more for the curious than someone wanting to learn the facts about drug abuse.
As for the film, it's produced by the police and the narration sounds a lot like a much more serious version of Jack Webb. There is no dialog in the film, as it's essentially silent with the narrator explaining the action and dispensing lots and lots and lots of information about the various drugs seen in 1958--with the exception of alcohol. The information is very informative and was great for police and community information purposes. Most of the information was pretty accurate though the material given on marijuana did seem a bit overstated (I am NOT an apologist for pot nor am I recommending it--the film, however, makes it seem about as harmful as heroin and barbiturates). However, it was also incredibly dry and dull and after a while I have a devil of a time staying awake! Overall, it's a film that most probably would not care to see. Since this film debuted, many better anti-drug films have been released and seeing THE NARCOTICS STORY is more for the curious than someone wanting to learn the facts about drug abuse.
Better than you think it should be
dbborroughs8 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Better than many films of this sort, this is a semi-documentary look at narcotics and how pill popping turns to marijuana which turns inevitably to heroine and harder drugs dragging down the user into a spiral from which they may never recover. To be certain the narration is of the clipped Dragnet variety making things a bit silly, especially in retrospect, but the scenes it depicts are not so completely out in left field as to be unconnected with reality. If there is any real flaw its that everything is too neat and clean as if in many cases people were afraid of getting the costumes dirty. I'm not sure who the film is actually aimed at since the film deals with the police and the difficulty of law enforcement in stamping out drug use. It's not clear if this was made as an exploitation film in the "Reefer Madness" variety of if they film makers had a higher purpose. Its not a bad film, but at the same time I this is the sort of film that is best viewed by people who like this sort of well intentioned documentary that looks silly introspect. That said if you've never seen one of these films this is possibly the best I've run across.
Mildly Entertaining But Also Quite Boring
Michael_Elliott18 April 2017
The Narcotics Story (1958)
** (out of 4)
Art Gilmore narrates this somewhat entertaining documentary that talks about the evils of marijuana and heroin. This here was originally made as a police training video but it was eventually shown to the public as the exploitation genre from the classic era was coming to an end. Basically the first part of the film takes a look at that green grass and how smoking it can turn you into a dangerous person. The second portion looks at heroin and the damage it does to a person including women who could find themselves in prostitution.
THE NARCOTICS STORY was made for a good cause and that was to teach police officers about the various signs to look for when it comes to dealing with drug users. The information told here is certainly more authentic than what we saw in films like REEFER MADNESS but at the same time you can't help but laugh at some of it because of how silly it is. With that said, the films is mildly entertaining on that level as we at least get to hear what was thought on the drug during this era.
The stuff with the heroin is certainly a bit darker as we get some images of abusers and the damage done to their bodies. In a strange bit, we're also told how several drugs are made so someone could have watched this back in the day and got in on the business. With all of that said, the film is really very boring in its delivery. The re-enactments are rather cheap and the narrator is way too dry at times.
If you're a fan of these types of exploitation documentaries then you'll want to check this out but others should probably stay clear.
** (out of 4)
Art Gilmore narrates this somewhat entertaining documentary that talks about the evils of marijuana and heroin. This here was originally made as a police training video but it was eventually shown to the public as the exploitation genre from the classic era was coming to an end. Basically the first part of the film takes a look at that green grass and how smoking it can turn you into a dangerous person. The second portion looks at heroin and the damage it does to a person including women who could find themselves in prostitution.
THE NARCOTICS STORY was made for a good cause and that was to teach police officers about the various signs to look for when it comes to dealing with drug users. The information told here is certainly more authentic than what we saw in films like REEFER MADNESS but at the same time you can't help but laugh at some of it because of how silly it is. With that said, the films is mildly entertaining on that level as we at least get to hear what was thought on the drug during this era.
The stuff with the heroin is certainly a bit darker as we get some images of abusers and the damage done to their bodies. In a strange bit, we're also told how several drugs are made so someone could have watched this back in the day and got in on the business. With all of that said, the film is really very boring in its delivery. The re-enactments are rather cheap and the narrator is way too dry at times.
If you're a fan of these types of exploitation documentaries then you'll want to check this out but others should probably stay clear.
Just the Facts, Ma'M, Just the Facts
artpf16 October 2013
This police training film uses dramatizations of real life events to demonstrate the battle law enforcement faces with narcotics, most specifically barbiturates - also known as "goof balls" - and marijuana - also know as "tea".
It shows how to identify certain narcotics, identify the signs that someone is using, identify the signs of where drug deals take place, identify the signs of use in a secluded public place, and apprehend the users in these public settings.
As it follows one young woman neglected by her parents, the film also shows the underlying causes of narcotics use, with these underlying causes often the forgotten issue as everyone tends to deal with the symptoms.
Think of it as a precursor to Dragnet. It's in color, which is a plus. What i found interesting is that just about everyone in this film did nothing else -- or a couple of uncredited bits. What's up with that?
It's a watchable movie for a while but gets long in the tooth after about 30 minutes.
It shows how to identify certain narcotics, identify the signs that someone is using, identify the signs of where drug deals take place, identify the signs of use in a secluded public place, and apprehend the users in these public settings.
As it follows one young woman neglected by her parents, the film also shows the underlying causes of narcotics use, with these underlying causes often the forgotten issue as everyone tends to deal with the symptoms.
Think of it as a precursor to Dragnet. It's in color, which is a plus. What i found interesting is that just about everyone in this film did nothing else -- or a couple of uncredited bits. What's up with that?
It's a watchable movie for a while but gets long in the tooth after about 30 minutes.
Drugs
BandSAboutMovies1 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Written by Pittsburgh native Roger Emerson Garris, who was the story editor for the Sherlock Holmes TV series, this police training film is all about barbituates and marijuana. Yes, people once called drugs these words.
Narrated by Art Gilmore, who was on Dragnet and voiced the radio announcer on The Waltons, this movie lets kids know that it starts with sneaking their parent's booze and ends up with you in jail, dead or worse. Avoid weed, avoid malt shops, avoid everything.
Narrated by Art Gilmore, who was on Dragnet and voiced the radio announcer on The Waltons, this movie lets kids know that it starts with sneaking their parent's booze and ends up with you in jail, dead or worse. Avoid weed, avoid malt shops, avoid everything.
"What's going on here?"
classicsoncall2 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
If I had seen this semi-documentary billed by it's IMDb title "The Narcotics Story" I probably would have passed, but instead it showed up on the Turner Classics line-up this morning as "Goofballs and Tea" - how do you pass up something like that? Now don't get me wrong, I'm not even a casual drug user, but those exploitation films of the Thirties and Forties are a trip unto themselves, stuff like "Reefer Madness", "Cocaine Fiends" and "The Marijuana Menace". However those flicks were presented as stories involving youth headed down the wrong road, whereas this looked more like a training film for new police detectives and corrections officers. The color format was a little jarring as I fully expected this in black and white, but otherwise it was fairly par for the course, explaining how the casual use of barbiturates and marijuana may eventually lead to the use of harder drugs. A scenario is played out where a beat cop in full dress uniform uses his knowledge of street lingo and 'suspicious' activity to track down a couple of hop-heads and their female companion. Oddly, their 'pusher' wasn't brought to justice in this picture, but the end credits mentioned that this was Part One of a Police Science Production, so perhaps they caught up with the drug dealer in the next episode.
What made this presentation curiously relevant to today's events is an upcoming book about to be published by author Ed Maraniss about President Barack Obama's youthful days spent with his pot smoking buddies while a teenager in Hawaii. Just like in the film, the Choom Gang would roll up all the car windows to insure that the smoke from their marijuana cigs would stay trapped in the vehicle for maximum effect; they called it 'roof hits'. Obviously, if the President and his buddies had seen this film, they would have known that the increased use of marijuana could lead to serious brain deterioration. At least Clinton didn't inhale. Hey, don't look at me like that, I'm just reporting what I just learned.
What made this presentation curiously relevant to today's events is an upcoming book about to be published by author Ed Maraniss about President Barack Obama's youthful days spent with his pot smoking buddies while a teenager in Hawaii. Just like in the film, the Choom Gang would roll up all the car windows to insure that the smoke from their marijuana cigs would stay trapped in the vehicle for maximum effect; they called it 'roof hits'. Obviously, if the President and his buddies had seen this film, they would have known that the increased use of marijuana could lead to serious brain deterioration. At least Clinton didn't inhale. Hey, don't look at me like that, I'm just reporting what I just learned.
worth the watch if you like exploitation films
woodpusher666692 February 2013
The average movie goer may find this to be a dry movie. I for one, found it to be quite comical and entertaining. Directed as a narrated feature. This movie progresses with all the momentum of a pta meeting in the early 50s. That is to say, anyone in the room that isn't stoned or anyone that possesses a "normal" sense of humor, may wish they were anywhere else in the world as long as they weren't watching this film. Luckily for me (as I have stated above) this movie is fun and funny to watch and has plenty to offer to the avid film freak. I will go as far as to say this film is worth watching over other well known films such as "reefer madness" or "marihuana". In summation, If you can't get any enjoyment out of this movie, cult exploitation films may not be for you, or you may enjoy one with more of a storyline. As opposed to this "informative" approach.
Finally! An old anti-drug film that I can take seriously.
soulexpress15 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This was a police training film that ended up getting a theatrical release. Filmed in full color, its technical advisers included both a narcotics detective and a reformed heroin addict. As such, THE NARCOTICS STORY has a strong air of authenticity about it. Much of what plays out in its 74 minutes is both ugly and disturbing, and intentionally so.
The authoritative bass voice of one Art Gilmore narrates the events. This lack of dialogue from the cast members works in the film's favor as there is no bad acting to distract the viewer from the storyline. And I found the storyline itself quite interesting. From the sneaky and clever techniques the addict adopts to conceal his drugs from the cops, to the increasingly thorough investigative techniques of law enforcement, these 74 minutes went by quickly. This is not a pretty story, but it drew me in and never lost my interest.
Some have argued that the film's approach is heavy-handed. While this claim is not without merit, THE NARCOTICS STORY is head and shoulders above those numerous, low-budget, black-and-white, anti-drug propaganda films of the 1930s and '40s--most notably, REEFER MADNESS. Yes, the "don't do drugs" message is strong here, but it's bolstered by evidence of what can and will happen to one who becomes an addict. The film's portrayal of a junkie in withdrawal is entirely too convincing and was rather hard to sit through.
After I watched THE NARCOTICS STORY, I did some fact-checking on its claims. The lion's share of what it posits appears to be true, even sixty years later. My one big problem is the film's implication that marijuana and heroin are equally as addictive and lethal. While that was the prevailing belief in 1958, it has long since been proven false.
The authoritative bass voice of one Art Gilmore narrates the events. This lack of dialogue from the cast members works in the film's favor as there is no bad acting to distract the viewer from the storyline. And I found the storyline itself quite interesting. From the sneaky and clever techniques the addict adopts to conceal his drugs from the cops, to the increasingly thorough investigative techniques of law enforcement, these 74 minutes went by quickly. This is not a pretty story, but it drew me in and never lost my interest.
Some have argued that the film's approach is heavy-handed. While this claim is not without merit, THE NARCOTICS STORY is head and shoulders above those numerous, low-budget, black-and-white, anti-drug propaganda films of the 1930s and '40s--most notably, REEFER MADNESS. Yes, the "don't do drugs" message is strong here, but it's bolstered by evidence of what can and will happen to one who becomes an addict. The film's portrayal of a junkie in withdrawal is entirely too convincing and was rather hard to sit through.
After I watched THE NARCOTICS STORY, I did some fact-checking on its claims. The lion's share of what it posits appears to be true, even sixty years later. My one big problem is the film's implication that marijuana and heroin are equally as addictive and lethal. While that was the prevailing belief in 1958, it has long since been proven false.
Blows away Reefer Madness. A laugh every 2 seconds. or 420
gengie3322 July 2013
Have only caught 20 mins so far. Want to secure a copy as there are no scheduled showings on TCM I have located. Jack Webb could not outdo this narrator for his hilarious ignorance and SS mentality. Every time he refers to addicts and pushers I fell off the couch. Check the suspect's head placed thru open window as a technique. Brilliant. Gotta get a DVD copy and throw a Tea party. Sad that i cannot partake anymore (due to panic attacks) but I'll have a drink and watch unsuspecting others bust a gut watching this 1958 classic. The earlier reviews seemed to not capture the amazing camp value of this film. They called it dry and slow moving. Please! I miss the Old Dragnet reruns with Blueboy and other drug war hysteria episodes. I give it 5 stars and equal spliffs
comical, but informative
Patmarie26 October 2011
Though this was made about 30 years after Reefer Madness, it is similar. It was good that it discussed the importance of underlying causes, like family stress, that can lead young people to use drugs. I don't know why anyone would say that it has to do with heroin, as there is nothing here about that drug. Very detailed instructions about how to clean marijuana, and how to roll the perfect joint. It was almost as though you were being taught how to do this as well as possible, which was odd. Though I am not recommending marijuana use, there was some overkill, i.e., we are told that when someone gets high on marijuana, they will deliberately injure or wound themselves and find that amusing. This is untrue and ridiculous, I've never even heard that in other anti-drug information. The info about barbiturates, especially mixed with alcohol, was sobering, and not funny, even after all this time. Yes the film is not high-quality, and could be dull, but unless I'm thinking of the wrong film, it's only 15 minutes long, so no big deal, and it was worth it for a few laughs.
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