Reefer Madness

The Bad Film Society is proud to increase drug awareness and The Elks are committed to providing a healthy future for America’s youth. Few know that the Elks National Drug Awareness Program was founded by a member of our Ashland Elks Lodge. The pamphlet “What Teens Should Know About Marijuana” will be available at the event. 

The feature will be Reefer Madness, a 1938 film revolving around the tragic events that occur when high school students are lured by pushers to try marijuana. A hit and run accident, manslaughter, suicide, attempted rape, and descent into madness all ensue. It was originally financed by a church group to be shown to parents as a morality tale to teach them about the dangers of cannabis use. Also, the kaleidoscopic Busby Berkeley inspired sequence revealing the effects of marijuana from the musical remake of Reefer Madness will be screened! 

Film archivist, Steven Mayerson will present some appropriately fascinating cartoons, shorts and drug educational films before the feature. 

Also stay the second chapter of the campy serial, The Lost City from 1935. It’s one of the greatest serials ever made, if anything for its sheer lunacy. A mad scientist in a secret city in a hidden magnetic mountain in deepest, darkest Africa can hurl thunderbolts across the planet, sink ships, cause earthquakes, turn pygmys into giant zombies and black men into white! The technical crew included the cinematographer from King Kong, the art director from Flash Gordon and the special effects man from Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein.

Members should contribute some food for the potluck dinner before the feature. Some bottom feeders just come for the great food! It sure beats dumpster diving! A registered nurse will be in attendance in case anyone should need assistance.