Wisconsin Theater Presents Musical Version Of Anti-Pot Cult Film

Even though most of the country, including neighboring states, is legalizing recreational marijuana, Wisconsin remains strongly against changing its cannabis laws.

RELATED: Wisconsin Won't Legalize Recreational Marijuana

A New Film Genre Created And What Was It?

Back in the 1920's a new movie genre was started. They were called "Exploitation Films." The movie studios created them to make a quick buck. The flicks were usually about controversial subjects that would cause a stir. Many of them gained "cult" status.

According to dartmouth.edu.com, 

A film designed by its producers to ‘exploit’, via clever marketing and promotion, the notoriety of certain sensational current events and trends and/or taboo subjects.

 

Exploitation films are usually low-budget and calculatedly commercial, venturing into parts of the market neglected by mainstream filmmaking.

 

The Most Famous "Exploitation Film" Of All Time

If I had to pick the most famous "Exploitation Film" of all time, I have to say it must be "Reefer Madness" which was released in 1936. It's an anti-marijuana movie. When it was released, the motion picture was very controversial and it freaked a lot of people out. Viewers thought it was a true story when it really was fictional. Years later it would become a "cult classic" and considered a comedy.

According to imbd.com, 

Cautionary tale that features a fictionalized take on marijuana use.

 

A trio of drug dealers lead innocent teenagers to become addicted to "reefer" cigarettes by holding wild parties with jazz music.

 

Then Came Along "Reefer Madness The Musical"

In 2005, the "cult classic" was recreated with a new twist. That was "Reefer Madness: The Musical." Of course, it was a spoof of the original film.

According to amazon.com, 

Inspired by the cult 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film, Reefer Madness gets the joint jumping in this boisterously funny musical romp.

Wisconsin Theater Presents "Reefer Madness: The Musical"

The Sprague Theater in Elkhorn, Wisconsin is hosting "Reefer Madness: The Musical" presented by the Lakeland Players. The shows will be held from October 20th through the 22nd, and also from 27th to the 29th. Tickets are general admission and just $20 each.

According to lakegenevanews.net,

“The real message of ‘Reefer Madness the Musical’ is not to encourage young people to smoke pot, but to encourage them to think for themselves and make their own independent decisions in life, which is a pretty good message wrapped in the madness of a musical,” said director Maggie Speer.