Public Domain Movies | Assassin of Youth

The film revolves around a young high school student named Joan Barry (played by Luana Walters). When Joan's brother dies from a drug overdose, she becomes determined to uncover the truth behind his death. She infiltrates a group of marijuana users to investigate and bring those responsible to justice.

As Joan delves into the world of drug use, she discovers a sinister plot orchestrated by a criminal drug ring. The ring, led by a nefarious figure named Frank "Duke" Dillon (played by Arthur Gardner), is pushing marijuana onto unsuspecting youth. The film depicts marijuana use as a dangerous gateway to more severe forms of addiction and criminal behavior.

Throughout the story, the film employs a moralistic and cautionary tone, typical of exploitation films of the time. "Assassin of Youth" uses sensationalized and exaggerated portrayals of drug use to convey a moral message about the perceived dangers of marijuana, aligning with the anti-drug sentiments prevalent during the era (1953).

Directors: Phil Tucker

Stars: Timothy Farrell, Lenny Bruce, Bernie Jones


Assassin of Youth (1938) on IMDb