Movie review – “The Marihuana Menace” (1931) *

A lesser known example of 30s exploitation: a news reporter goes under cover to expose marijuana smokers. As usual, mull makes people laugh, skinny dip and crash cars, and have the requisite parties with kids laughing and attempted stabbings. But apart from a great opening scene where an old lady crashes her scooter and all these kids laugh this movie is too sensible and non-stupid to be really fun. The finale in a courtroom is even a bit reminiscent of a Judge Hardy film – the actor who played gramps was reminiscent of Lionel Barrymore. The blonde with a screwed up face reminded me of Hatchet Face in John Waters’ Cry Baby.