High School Confidential! (1958)

67% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(1,844 ratings)

Producer Albert Zugsmith serves up another all-star exposé with High School Confidential. Delivering a superb performance under the circumstances, Russ Tamblyn heads the cast as "typical" high schooler Tony Baker. Usually seen in the company of his voluptuous "aunt" Gwen Dulaine (the truly… More Producer Albert Zugsmith serves up another all-star exposé with High School Confidential. Delivering a superb performance under the circumstances, Russ Tamblyn heads the cast as "typical" high schooler Tony Baker. Usually seen in the company of his voluptuous "aunt" Gwen Dulaine (the truly impressive Mamie Van Doren), Tony convinces one and all that he's looking for kicks of the controlled-substance kind. In truth, however, our hero is really an undercover narcotics agent named Mike Wilson, bound and determined to smash the operation of drug lord Mr. A. (Jackie Coogan). The once-in-a-lifetime cast includes such worthies as John Drew Barrymore (Drew Barrymore's daddy), Ray Anthony (then married to Mamie Van Doren), Charles Chaplin Jr., Michael Landon, and Jerry Lee Lewis as "himself." This updated Reefer Madness is not to be missed! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Jack Arnold
Written By: Robert Blees, Lewis Meltzer
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1958 Wide
On DVD: Jun 15, 2004
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
As astringent a vision of the late-'50s as Frank Tashlin's are opulent
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A most ridiculous classic cult teen-exploitation film about juvenile delinquents in the 1950s, but not without being entertaining.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Hot stuff in '58, but period sleaze is nostalgic fun now.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Hilariously broad exploitation stuff.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This movie may remind you of reefer madness and movies like it, and it should it's basically the same kind of film, one that's supposed to make you aware of the dark side of the teenage nightlife or something like that. This movie has a good story, but in the end it's… More
This movie may remind you of reefer madness and movies like it, and it should it's basically the same kind of film, one that's supposed to make you aware of the dark side of the teenage nightlife or something like that. This movie has a good story, but in the end it's lacking something.
Ken S

Fantastic Drug Propaganda from the 50's The beat poetry and Jerry Lee Lewis are particularly choice