Because They're Young (1960)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Paul Wendkos

Writers:

John Farris (novel)
James Gunn (writer)

Release Date:

April 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Whoever you are, you're in this picture! Because this tells of youth's challenge to grown-ups who can't understand!

Plot:

New high school teacher tries to help troubled students and falls in love with the principal's secretary.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Cast

Dick Clark	...	Neil Hendry
Victoria Shaw	...	Joanne Dietrich
Michael Callan	...	Griff Rimer
Tuesday Weld	...	Anne Gregor
Warren Berlinger	...	Buddy McCalla
Roberta Shore	...	Richelle 'Ricky' Summers
Doug McClure	...	Jim Trent
Duane Eddy	...	Cameo appearance
James Darren	...	Cameo appearance
Linda Watkins	...	Frances McCalla
Chris Robinson	...	Patcher
Rudy Bond	...	Chris
Wendell Holmes	...	Principal Donlan
Philip Coolidge	...	Mr. Rimer
Bart Patton	...	Michael Kramer

Also Known As:

Viattomuuden hinta (Finland) [fi]

Runtime:

USA:102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Drexel Productions

Trivia:

Based on an early review of the movie in the September, 1959 issue of Stardust Magazine (Vol. 1, No. 1) ...apparently the working title was the same as the John Farris novel, HARRISON HIGH, on which it was based (no mention of BECAUSE THEY'RE YOUNG). The review also mentioned that Dick Clark's character was that of the principal, not a teacher.

Goofs:

Continuity: Eddy's guitar is amplified even though it is not connected to an amplifier.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Heavy Petting (1989)

Dick Clark clicked for the teens in this movie!

Another movie I'd love to see released on video/DVD that's been too long neglected is "BECAUSE THEY'RE YOUNG" (Columbia, 1960) starring Dick Clark of American Bandstand with Duane Eddy and his Rockin' Rebels, and Bobby Rydell on the soundtrack. Oh yes, that cool blonde hottie Tuesday Weld was in there too. Too bad it was in black & white, but they were doing a retake on "BLACKBOARD JUNGLE" (MGM, 1955) so it had to be, and look like a B-movie. I know I'm dating myself, but I did see this movie in the theaters when it was released in May-June 1960. It was the coolest, man. I mean like I really dug it the most, at age 13. I was into Edd 'Kookie' Byrnes' jive talk, rock'n'roll, and hip beatnik jazz so Maynard G. Krebs was my buddy on TV. And DIck Clark was a swingin' hipster on American Bandstand, WFIL-TV in Philly, broadcast on ABC-TV network nationwide. I watched it every afternoon after coming home from school, along with reruns of "Adventures of SUPERMAN", "Topper", and "Ramar of the Jungle"! Dick Clark really clicked for teens and kids in this movie, I remember everyone thought he did a great job with his first acting role. In retrospect, not having seen this movie since the early '70s when it was shown on TV one Saturday afternoon, I can't really judge it as an adult, but I fondly remember it being kind of a dark, melodramatic sort of "American Graffiti" movie experience. I would love to see it again after all these years! Please, Sony Pictures, put this one on your DVD-to-do list!!! I'd love to see an interview with Dick Clark about this movie. I wonder if he's up to that challenge now?