First of all let me say that I am not espousing any opinion on whether or not marijuana should be legalized or used.  I have chosen this film Reefer Madness,, because it is a good example of propaganda and disinformation that has nothing to do with a war.  It is worth 120 points.  You must go into detail and depth with this in order to do well.

Before you watch the film read this brief history of how marijuana became illegal in the U.S. and this article on the film itself (published in High Times–which means they have an agenda) and one more, a film studies-centered article on the film :

Then watch the 1936 version of  Reefer Madness:

Use the questions below to write a short (3-5 page) essay about the film as propaganda.  You can do research if you want, but you don’t have to.  If you do use sources, be sure to cite them and use either MLA or APA formatting–your choice.  And if you quote (or paraphrase) from the articles I have provided, cite those as well.  Put this essay in your own words, and this doesn’t need to be a formal essay, and don’t bother with a long introduction–in fact use this to get you started: 

The 1936 film, Reefer Madness, is an excellent example of propaganda that helped make marijuana illegal in the United States.  The film begins . . . .

Make sure to address the questions below at some point in the essay.  And remember–essays are divided into paragraphs.

Analyze (decode) the original film–what propaganda techniques does it use (be sure to give examples/describe scenes or dialog that back up what you are asserting)?  What aim does the movie have?  After reading the history of marijuana legality provided above, and the two other articles,  how does your knowledge of that history affect how you understand the film?  Why would American citizens in 1936 be taken in by what we now think of as a ridiculous and unintentionally hilarious film?  Why do you think stoners have turned this into a cult classic that they watch while getting high?  Does this film contain any ideas/misconceptions about marijuana that some people still have today?   Who and/or what are the villains in this film?  Are the villains dehumanized in any way?  Explain.  What values does the film embrace?  What values does it reject?  Are any of these values still seen in the same ways today?  Which ones and why or why not?  Can you think of any other films that are similar to/reference this one?  Which films, and in what ways are they similar?  (You can include spoofs and satire as well as more serious films–think things like Rocky Horror).  

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