Mad Youth

This is a sleazy little film about "white slavery"--in other words, women forced into prostitution. While the budget was obviously very low and the production values low, this film actually was pretty watchable due to decent writing--as the plot often surprised me and wasn't completely telegraphed (something usual for the genre). Oddly, while the writing isn't bad, portions of the film look like a second-rate talent show, as various acts (some good, some bad) parade through two scenes that are largely irrelevant. In the first one, there are two excellent jitterbug dancers (this makes sense at a "wild party") and a drum major (huh??!?!). Later, it's pretty much the same.

The plot itself concerns a very vain and stupid mother who is too busy running around with male escorts (the real type, not male prostitutes). Her favorite male escort begins dating her daughter on the sly and you assume he's up to no good--especially since she seems pretty "fast". However, where the film goes next and the actual character of this man was very unexpected--making this very low-budget film worth a peek. Aside from a few poor performances and the odd talent show portions, it's a pretty good suspense film about the seamier side of life.

By the way, for an exploitation film, this one does NOT have any nude scenes--the plot is rather adult and there are some women in lingerie but that's really about all.

American society dames get a cuffing and a lecture on parenthood from a faux count gigolo in this pre-war cheapie looking to cash in on lurid sensationalism. Disjointed and sloppy most of the way it unintentionally (or indifferently)entertains with titillating moralizing as women of all ages pre-sage this age of narcissism with self centered abandon.

Upper cruster Lucy Morgan (Betty Compson) spends most of her time playing bridge with fellow elites and buying the attention of phony counts from an escort service while ignoring daughter Marian (Mary Ainslee) who throws wild parties while she is absent. Enter Count Dehoven (Willy Castello), gigolo with a conscience and the attention of both mom and daughter. The Count falls heavily for the daughter much to mom's consternation, causing a major rift that sends Marian off to live with her star struck friend who in reality is being held hostage in a bordello, a fate now awaiting Marian. Can she be rescued? Looks like a job for the Count.

This crass high society expose may lack subtlety, second takes and production values of any kind but it does offer some warped incite into the era ( jitterbugging teens, absentee parents) via cautionary tale and the offbeat casting of a suave two bit gigolo as its moral conscience. Battling the hackneyed script and his own limited abilities Willy Costello brings both the unctuous and noble out in his Count DeHoven.

Ainslee's Marian is a bit long in the tooth for a confused teen but silent screen superstar in career free fall Compson is indomitable in a low key Billie Burke sought of style as an incurable romantic and while their scenes together lack smoothness they do confront the heart of the matter.

Mad Youth puts on no airs as it plows its way to its tepid climax but it does score points with its Code challenging moments and fun juxtaposing of the generations; the younger caught up in an energized frenzy at a party (featuring in another bizarre twist a baton twirler in full uniform) while their ever so proper parents battle ennui at bridge tables in another part of town with Ma Morgan attempting to bed the count, forever lying about her age.

Mad Youth may be a bad film but under the right circumstances it can be quite entertaining.

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.

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

Lucy lives with her rich divorcee mother Marian Morgan. Marian hires male escort Count DeHoven, but he has a fling with Lucy instead. Lucy's friend Helen got kicked out of her home and intends to marry. Marian is tired of her daughter's partying and jealous of her youth. Marian sends her to live with her father. She heads off to stay with Helen instead.

The filmmaking is poor. The acting is mostly stiff and average at best. I'm not sure about the intention. It is a B-movie. One can argue that it's better than most B-movies. That's not a high bar to clear. I am engaged enough to stay with the story and there are some fun dance scenes. In the end, this is not good enough.