Watch Marihuana

Marihuana is a 1936 cautionary tale about the dangers of smoking marijuana. The movie follows the story of a young woman named Burma Roberts (played by Harley Wood) who is seduced by the allure of smoking weed. At first, Burma is presented as a model citizen. She works hard, attends church and is devoted to her boyfriend Bob (played by Hugh McArthur), a local police officer. However, one night, while attending a party with some friends, Burma is offered a joint and decides to give it a try. From that moment on, Burma's life spirals out of control.

The movie takes a moralizing tone, warning audiences about the perils of smoking marijuana. Through Burma's story, the film depicts a young woman's descent from morality into depravity. At first, she only smokes marijuana as a form of socializing, but soon, it becomes an addiction that consumes her every waking moment. She starts losing interest in her job and her relationship with Bob starts to falter. Eventually, Burma discovers she is pregnant but doesn't know who the father is. Her life is turned upside down when she is sent to jail for possession of marijuana and her baby is taken away from her.

Marihuana was released during a time when Hollywood was making movies that aimed to educate or warn audiences about the dangers of certain behaviors. In the case of Marihuana, it was a time when the use of marijuana was seen as taboo, and the film was an attempt to capitalize on this fear. The movie is heavy-handed in its approach, with every action that Burma takes seen as a direct consequence of her drug use. The film's message is quite clear: marijuana will ruin your life.

While the movie may seem outdated and exaggerated by today's standards, it was a reflection of the time it was made. The film was produced during the era of the Hays Code, which sought to regulate movies and ensure that they reflected traditional values. As a result, Marihuana is filled with melodramatic moments, over-the-top performances, and a story that seems designed to scare rather than entertain audiences. Nevertheless, the movie has its charm, especially when viewed as a period piece.

The acting in the movie can be quite hammy at times, with many of the actors delivering their lines in a very exaggerated manner. This is especially true for Harley Wood, who plays the lead role. Wood's performance can come off as quite histrionic, even for a movie from the 1930s. However, there are moments in the movie where her acting shines, particularly towards the end of the film when Burma is in jail and has to face the consequences of her actions.

The other actors in the movie fare better, giving more subdued, believable performances. Hugh McArthur, who plays Bob, Burma's boyfriend, is likable and charming. He is the picture of the all-American boy, steadfast and loyal to Burma throughout the movie. Pat Carlyle, who plays Burma's best friend, is also effective in her role, providing a sympathetic counterpoint to Burma’s character.

Overall, Marihuana is a movie that is both dated and endearing. The film’s moralistic approach may not appeal to everyone, but it is an interesting artifact from a time when Hollywood was more concerned with shaping the public’s values than it was with making money. It is a movie that is best appreciated as a curiosity, a time capsule of another era.

Marihuana is a 1936 crime movie with a runtime of 57 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.0.