Marihuana / Narcotic

Cinema from the 1930s is not often characterized by excessive drug use, nudity and violent crime sprees, but this wasn't the case for filmmaker Dwain Esper. The writer/director dabbled in exploitation pictures that took on an educational fa�ade, where drugged-out youths engaged in reckless consumption of alcohol, marijuana, and heroin, all of which were shown to lead to acts of criminal behavior, sexual perversion, and shocking violence. Because, you know, that's what toking a rolled cigarette of the devil's lettuce does to you.

"Reefer Madness" is perhaps the most well-known "drugsploitation" picture, but Kino Lorber has recently brought to Blu-ray two of the earliest entries in this uniquely ridiculous subgenre. "Marihuana" and "Narcotic," both directed by Esper (who would later go on to produce "Reefer Madness"), are a pair of absurd works that showcase the dangers of drug use in the era's youth. "Narcotic," made in 1933, is described in its opening scroll as being "presented in the hope that the public may become aware of the terrific struggle to rid the world of drug addiction." It follows a physician who navigates his way through opium addiction, sex-crazed parties, and eventual madness at the hands of his vices. "Marihuana," made in 1936, is far more ridiculous, following a high school girl who smokes cannabis and turns into a hardened heroin addict who, get this, inadvertently kidnaps her own child (whom she had given up for adoption).

The films are shockingly misguided, but perhaps their greatest weakness is that they're just... so... boring. They're worth watching for the curiosities surrounding their place in cinematic history, but other than that these are snooze-worthy films that, both around an hour long, feel like a lifetime to get through. It's tough to tell whether smoking marijuana beforehand actually makes the experience better or more grueling to endure. After a while, you get the shtick. But then you realize there's still 40 minutes left.

Nonetheless, this is a cool release from Kino Lorber as part of their "Forbidden Fruit" collection that highlights exploitation features of years' past. Bonus features include:

� Audio commentary for Marihuana by Bret Wood, co-author of "Forbidden Fruit: The Golden Age of the Exploitation Film"
� Audio commentary by producer David F. Friedman and Something Weird founder Mike Vraney (2000)
� Audio commentary for Narcotic by Bret Wood
� Theatrical trailers
� Two versions of Dwain Esper's "How to Undress (in Front of Your Husband)"
� Dwain Esper's "How to Take a Bath," trailer and fragments of Dwain Esper's lost film "The Seventh Commandment" (1932)

"Marihuana/Narcotic"
Kino Lorber Blu-ray
$29.95
https://www.kinolorber.com/product/marihuana-narcotic-forbidden-fruit-vol-4-blu-ray