THE EXPLOSIVE GENERATION (1961)

 

William Shatner, in his iconic role as Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek TV show and the films which followed, did heroic battle with Klingons, Romulans, Kahn and all kinds of dangerous alien characters. But long before he took flight on the Starship Enterprise (He's still there, by the way.), the talented Canadian actor found himself caught up in an even more heated confrontation. In his first starring movie role, Shatner plays a high school teacher who finds himself trapped in the middle of an eternal, universal conflict: teenagers suffering from hormonal overload and the attempts by their frantic parents to make sure those hormones stay unloaded until the little darlings finish college and get married. 

THE EXPLOSIVE GENERATION is a worthy entry into the Teen Angst genre that began with the release of two classic films in 1955: BLACKBOARD JUNGLE and REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE. These two very serious, critically acclaimed films officially established American teenagers as a distinct social class. More importantly, the kids had money in their pockets and enough free time to go to the movies while their parents were busy working. The rousing success of these two films encouraged the Hollywood studios to make more films focused on teens and their troubles. As the 1950s moved on, cinematic juveniles were not only tangling with those pesky hormones, but with werewolves, vampires, sea monsters and aliens from outer space, with plenty of rock and roll included in the soundtracks.

William Shatner seems shocked to find himself beamed into a high school classroom.

 Today's Teen Angst classic begins at a high school basketball game, followed by a party. Four high school seniors, Janet Sommers (Patty McCormack), her boyfriend Dan Carlyle (Lee Kinsolving), and Marge Ryker (Suzi Carnell) and her date Bobby Herman Jr. (Billy Gray), decide to spend the night at the house, which is owned by Bobby's father, after the party ends. They lie to their parents about where they are. In the morning, Janet wakes up in a panic because they all have to get to school. There's quite a bit of tension among the four about what they've done. 

Patty McCormack, the "Bad Seed" herself, all grown up and filled out. Lee Kinsolving is second from the right.

Janet is especially upset and argues with Dan. In their homeroom class, the teacher, Peter Gifford (William Shatner), asks the students to suggest topics for discussion, topics that address the various problems and concerns of teens who are about to graduate and go out into the adult world. Janet tells Mr. Gifford that what most of the kids are concerned about is sex. This comment gets quite a wild reaction from the other kids and causes some embarrassment for Mr. Gifford. He says such topics are best discussed with parents. But Janet persists and gets support from the class. When the teacher reminds Janet that sex has already been covered in their biology courses, she clarifies that she's concerned about the real personal issues teens deal with, such as how far a girl has to go with a boy to be popular, and how boys feel they have to prove what big men they are. Mr. Gifford finally agrees to discuss anything the students want to talk about. He tells them to write their questions and concerns down and not sign their names. He gathers up the papers and says the class will address the questions next week.

The morning after effect. Lee Kinsolving, Billy Gray, Patty McCormack and Suzi Carnell feeling guilty.

In no time at all, word gets around the whole school about Mr. Gifford's "sex survey". Naturally, the parents also find out, and all hell breaks loose in the community. Janet's parents (Virginia Field and Arch Johnson), now aware that the four teens spent a night together and lied about it, form a committee to visit the school principal (Edward Platt) and demand that the papers be destroyed and Mr. Gifford issue an apology. They accuse him of being a danger to the morals of their children. Mr. Gifford reluctantly gives in to their demands. But when school is resumed, he sees how disappointed the kids are and how badly he's let them down. So, he changes his mind about turning in the papers to the principal. As a result, he gets suspended.

Concerned and well-dressed parents: Virginia Field and Arch Johnson

Mrs. Sommers finds it difficult to struggle through making a high-tech breakfast with Janet's raging hormones filling the kitchen. What IS a mother to do?

The students are angry that their freedom of speech has been taken away from them, so they organize a protest, Dan being the main organizer. Mr. Gifford understands how they feel, but he tries to discourage them from getting into trouble. The kids hold a rally in front of the school and refuse to go to classes until Gifford is reinstated. The police arrive and order them to disperse and be quiet. Dan takes that advice to heart and tells the kids to remain silent for the entire day. The students stay silent even during a basketball game at the end of the school day. And they even get the opposing fans involved by handing out flyers encouraging them to join the protest.

A generation explodes!! Actually, it's more like a pep rally than a protest. Things will heat up considerably in a few years when the Baby Boomers take over.

As the basketball game continues in eerie silence, Janet takes the paper she wrote and reads it to her mother at home. She reveals that nothing happened on the night she and Marge stayed with their boyfriends, because they were all too scared and felt guilty. Lying to their parents made it all seem "dirty". Janet wrote about how much she loves and respects her mother but can't talk to her about her feelings. She loves Dan and wants to marry him someday but is finding it hard not to give into her sexual desires. She hopes that with boys and girls talking about these concerns together they might find the answer. Janet's mother, finally understanding, starts crying and puts her arms around her daughter. 

The parents go to the principal and have Mr. Gifford reinstated. The community crisis is resolved just as the basketball game comes to an end. All the kids erupt in joyous screaming and crowd onto the court as the cheerleaders and school band lead them in a victory march. When classes resume on Monday, the principal brings the student's papers back to Mr. Gifford's class and he begins the discussion.

Beau Bridges and Patty McCormack

Lee Kinsolving and Billy Gray, obviously up to no good!

Billy Gray and Beau Bridges

Gorgeous Patty McCormack

Despite the suggestive title, the movie turns out to be less explosive than promised. Everyone's virtue remains unscathed, and all teenage hormones are safely, if tenuously, under the control of parents and the educational system. Still, the notion of candid discussions about sex was a hot topic in 1962. And considering the controversies happening in our culture today, this modest B-flick turned out to be quite prescient.

William Shatner was still in his apprenticeship period as an actor. His work in films, television and theater began in 1951. In 1961, he had a supporting role in JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBURG. He also starred in two fascinating cult movies: THE INTRUDER (1962) for Roger Corman and the 1966 horror film INCUBUS. Most of his long, successful career has been on television and on other planets. Now ninety-four years old, Shatner shows no signs of slowing down.

Patty McCormack, only sixteen years old, stands out among the young cast. She had already found success in the 1954 Broadway production of THE BAD SEED as the charming but murderous child Rhoda Penmark. The play was a sensation, and Patty reprised her role in the 1956 film version, which won her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress. In 1957, she played Helen Keller in a television production of THE MIRACLE WORKER, a role that went to Patty Duke for both the Broadway and film adaptations. Her career seems to have peaked at this point and her output since then has been erratic, many of her films being in the exploitational category: JACKTOWN (1962), THE MINISKIRT MOB and THE YOUNG RUNAWAYS, both in 1968. In a sense, her film work after such a lofty beginning in THE BAD SEED seems unworthy of her talents. Still, she has maintained a long career and enduring star status. Evil Rhoda Penmark has stalked her throughout her life, a situation she has happily embraced.

Billy Gray and Lee Kinsolving were both well into their twenties when they made this film. Gray had begun as an extremely talented child actor, making an impression in the sci-fi classic THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951). From 1954 to 1960 he was on the popular TV show FATHER KNOWS BEST. His subsequent acting career has been less than prolific, but he did appear in two cult favorites: THE NAVY VS. THE NIGHT MONSTERS (1966) and a very strange little film called DUSTY AND SWEETS MCGEE (1971). Lee Kinsolving was an intense young actor who began his career in live television and sadly only appeared in three films, THE EXPLOSIVE GENERATION being his last. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his excellent work in THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS (1960). He left acting in 1964 and died of a heart attack ten years later at age thirty-six. You can see his work in TV shows like GUNSMOKE, THE TWILIGHT ZONE and THE OUTER LIMITS.

Nineteen-year-old Beau Bridges, son of veteran tough-guy actor Lloyd Bridges, was sort of in the background in this film, but his blonde good looks and soulful expression get your attention. He began acting as a child in the late 1940s in films like THE RED PONY (1949) and ZAMBA (1949) and also appeared on his father's hit TV show SEA HUNT. His apprenticeship continued mostly on TV and in movies like VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS (1965), a movie that must be seen to be believed. (Even then, you still won't believe it.) He finally proved himself a brilliant actor in THE INCIDENT (1967), one of my favorite films. He and his younger brother, Jeff, worked together in THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS (1989). He's had a long and successful career and is still active in the business today.

The film was directed by Buzz Kulik, also known for BRIAN'S SONG (1971) and the miniseries GEORGE WASHINGTON (1984).

THE EXPLOSIVE GENERATION (1961) ♦RARE♦ Theatrical Trailer

♦Drive-In Classics♦ 'The Explosive Generation' (1961) William Shatner, Patty McCormack

This post is part of Brian Shuck's third Favorite Stars in B-Movies Blogathon. Thanks to Brian for inviting all of us to participate!

Films From Beyond the Time Barrier: Day 1 of The Third 'Favorite Stars in B Movies' Blogathon has arrived!