Mad Youth

In MAD YOUTH, Marian Morgan (Mary Ainslee) waits for her mother to go out to her bridge game. Then, she invites "the gang" over for a bash. These 25 year old "teens" spend the night "jitterbugging" and playing "strip poker"! Adding to this godless mayhem, a baton-twirling majorette shows up! In a glittery uniform!

Meanwhile, mum's been out with a gigolo known as "The Count". When she brings "The Count" home for a nightcap, he falls for Marian!

Thus, begins Marian's downward spiral into an abyss of mariachi bands, clown-faced matadors, dogs in bull costumes, and human trafficking!

MAD YOUTH is another melodramatic morality tale from yesteryear. While not as deliriously absurd as REEFER MADNESS, it does have its own silly charm. Plus, the dance routines are a hoot!...

This movie is quite mature in its themes, and i recommend it as a better than average "exploitation" film. It stars Willam (Willy) Castello, the suave, often villainous Dutch-born actor, as the Count de Hoven. This is not the same actor as William Costello, born in Rhode Island, USA, who voiced Popeye. It is also of interest to note that some scenes from "Mad Youth" were later excerpted and used alongside other Willy Castello exploitation film clips to make an entirely new feature, "Confessions of a Vice Baron," in which the Castello character narrates his life of crime and multiple name-changes -- as if every character he had played in each of the earlier movies had been one man in disguise. I have never seen another movie that uses this device, and so i have made an effort to watch every film that contributed to "Confessions of a Vice Baron." So far, "Mad Youth" is by far the best of the lot.

Shapely sweater-clad Mary Ainslee (as Marian Morgan) enjoys wild nights partying while "lonesome" mother Betty Compson (as Lucy) prefers quieter evenings playing bridge with "dedicated and refined" gigolos like accented immigrant Willy Castello (as "Count" DeKoven). With her alimony check spent, Ms. Compson can't afford the extra charge for Mr. Castello's "love" on their first date, but future funds mean "necking" sessions. Then, when Castello meets Ms. Ainslee, both mother and daughter desire the same man. Are Castello's intentions good, or "strictly dishonorable?"

"Mad Youth" takes an unexpected turn for a last act, after skirting with some actual depth. The performances of Ainslee and Compson become quite good, and intriguingly natural. It's nice to see women portrayed as interested in sex (for a change). After the rival mother and daughter share a marvelous scene, the story returns to its lurid roots. The dissolve and double exposures used for Ainslee's "drunk scene" and Compson's discovery of her daughter's diary are well done. The uninhibited dancing of Tommy Wonder and the "Jitter Bugs" is another highlight. Watch for the slinky blonde prostitute to stand in front of a revealing lamp, and one of the fighters to split his pants, in the film's final minutes.

****** Mad Youth (5/5/40) Melville Shyer ~ Mary Ainslee, Betty Compson, Willy Castello, Tommy Wonder

Nothing really mad going on here at all, of course, apart from the heavy-handed moralizing as delivered by gigolo Count Willy Castello which will have you laughing out loud. And that is the point of these type of films - they are unintentionally hilarious in parts. It's what makes them good entertainment.

The story starts with Betty Compson (Lucy) phoning up for an escort as usual. On this evening she gets Willy Castello and she is not shy in coming forward! She takes him home where they meet up with her daughter Mary Ainslee (Marian). Big mistake. Castello takes a shine to the daughter and they start dating behind the mum's back. Ha ha. This must have happened so many times in real life. Well, the youth party and dance away but there is a new storyline introduced when Ainslee's best friend Betty Atkinson (Helen) absconds from home in response to an advert. The reality is that she has become a prossie and Ainslee unknowingly gets caught up in her plight when she pays her a visit. We need a hero to come and save them.

Meanwhile, Compson ends the film as she started it - by calling up an escort/gigolo to spend her evening with. She really has got life sussed. A good role model.

I enjoyed this movie it was nice look at the teens of the late 30's and early 40's. It had great dance scenes and good music to go with it. with had a very realistic and intense fight scene for it's time. some scenes were a little long and drawn out.it is a good midnight movie it's a drive in style movie fine for the whole family. If you can find a copy you should see it there is not much more to say about it is just OK. it's not memorable but it's good, I mean don,t go out of your way to fine it but if you come across it pick it up for me. If you like black and white movie on a Saturday night you will like this.

love, Steve