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==Production==
==Production==
===Original Novel===
The novel ''Harrison High'' was published in 1959 when John Farris, the author, was 22.<ref>Sullivan, R. (1959, Mar 15). Grubby paths thru sensation. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/182240341?accountid=13902</ref> He wrote it when 20 while a student at the University of Missouri; it was based on his high school experiences in Memphis, Tennessee. ("Harrison High" though was fictional.)<ref>By, L. N. (1959, Apr 19). IN AND OUT OF BOOKS. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/114637430?accountid=13902</ref> The ''New York Times'' book reviewer said it was like "an interminable adolescent bull session."<ref>Levin, M. (1959, Apr 26). Dating and mating. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/114908869?accountid=13902</ref>
The novel ''Harrison High'' was published in 1959 when John Farris, the author, was 22.<ref>Sullivan, R. (1959, Mar 15). Grubby paths thru sensation. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/182240341?accountid=13902</ref> He wrote it when 20 while a student at the University of Missouri; it was based on his high school experiences in Memphis, Tennessee. ("Harrison High" though was fictional.)<ref>By, L. N. (1959, Apr 19). IN AND OUT OF BOOKS. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/114637430?accountid=13902</ref>


Film rights were bought by the Drexel Film Corporation, who arranged to make the film through Columbia. Dick Clark signed to play the lead.<ref>Dick clark to make film debut; cannes festival entries listed. (1959, Apr 29). New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/114902515?accountid=13902</ref> [[Jerry Bresler]] who had a multi-picture deal with Columbia, was assigned to produce and he hired James Gunn to write a script.<ref>Scheuer, P. K. (1959, May 28). Yvette ideal girl of distant future. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/167436473?accountid=13902</ref>
The ''New York Times'' book reviewer said it was like "an interminable adolescent bull session."<ref>Levin, M. (1959, Apr 26). Dating and mating. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/114908869?accountid=13902</ref>
===Development===
Film rights were bought by the Drexel Film Corporation in April 1959, who arranged to make the film through Columbia. Dick Clark, host of ''[[American Bandstand]]'', signed to play the lead.<ref>Dick clark to make film debut; cannes festival entries listed. (1959, Apr 29). New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/114902515?accountid=13902</ref>


"The script is fairly true to life," said Clark. "Most teenagers are normal."<ref>Thomas, B. (1959, Oct 18). Potentate of the clark cult. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/182392767?accountid=13902</ref>
[[Jerry Bresler]] who had a multi-picture deal with Columbia, was assigned to produce and he hired James Gunn to write a script.<ref>Scheuer, P. K. (1959, May 28). Yvette ideal girl of distant future. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/167436473?accountid=13902</ref> Paul Wendkos signed to direct in June.<ref>FILMLAND EVENTS: Wendkos to Direct 'Harrison High'
Los Angeles Times 5 June 1959: A9. </ref>

"Most pictures about teenagers are wrong," said Clark. "They are older people's concepts of how teenagers act... I doubt if there ever can be a truly honest portrayal in films. Not all girls are beautiful and all boys handsome, as they are in films... [But] the script is fairly true to life. Most teenagers are normal."<ref>Thomas, B. (1959, Oct 18). Potentate of the clark cult. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/182392767?accountid=13902</ref>

The cast included several young actors under contract to Columbia including Michael Callan. Warren Berlinger had just been in ''Blue Denim''.
===Shooting===
Filming started 12 August 1959.<ref>Entertainment Films Stage Music: 'Blue Denim' Pair Cast at Columbia
Los Angeles Times 12 Aug 1959: C7. </ref>


The campus and classroom scenes were shot at [[Herbert Hoover High School (Glendale)|Hoover High School]] in [[Glendale, California]]; most of that school's buildings were later torn down and replaced with a more contemporary look in the mid-1960s to comply with California's building codes for schools.
The campus and classroom scenes were shot at [[Herbert Hoover High School (Glendale)|Hoover High School]] in [[Glendale, California]]; most of that school's buildings were later torn down and replaced with a more contemporary look in the mid-1960s to comply with California's building codes for schools.
==Reception==
The ''Los Angeles Times'' called the film "an agreeable surprise."<ref>Film Ponders Ways of Youth: 'They're Young' Forms an Agreeable Surprise
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 13 Mar 1960: I1. </ref>

The film did not make ''Variety''s list of top earners for 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/variety221-1961-01#page/n46/mode/1up|title="Rental Potentials of 1960"|website=Variety|date=4 January 1961|page=47}}</ref>

==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 13:16, 2 April 2019

This article is about the 1960's film. For the Duane Eddy song, see Because They're Young (song).
Because They're Young
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPaul Wendkos
Written byJames Gunn
Produced byJerry Bresler
StarringDick Clark
CinematographyWilfred M. Cline
Edited byChester W. Schaeffer
Music byJohn Williams
Production
company
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • April 1960 (1960-04)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Because They're Young is a 1960 film from Columbia Pictures, starring Dick Clark as Neil Hendry, an American high school teacher who tries to make a difference in the lives of his students. The film co-starred Tuesday Weld, Michael Callan, Warren Berlinger, Roberta Shore, Doug McClure, and Victoria Shaw. It was directed by Paul Wendkos. The screenplay was based on Harrison High, a novel by John Farris.

Musicians Duane Eddy and James Darren had cameo roles in the movie, whose title song became the biggest hit record of Eddy's career. Though not appearing himself, Bobby Rydell's "Swingin' School" was featured prominently in the movie's soundtrack.

Plot

A crusading high school teacher tries to help his troubled students.

Cast

Production

Original Novel

The novel Harrison High was published in 1959 when John Farris, the author, was 22.[1] He wrote it when 20 while a student at the University of Missouri; it was based on his high school experiences in Memphis, Tennessee. ("Harrison High" though was fictional.)[2]

The New York Times book reviewer said it was like "an interminable adolescent bull session."[3]

Development

Film rights were bought by the Drexel Film Corporation in April 1959, who arranged to make the film through Columbia. Dick Clark, host of American Bandstand, signed to play the lead.[4]

Jerry Bresler who had a multi-picture deal with Columbia, was assigned to produce and he hired James Gunn to write a script.[5] Paul Wendkos signed to direct in June.[6]

"Most pictures about teenagers are wrong," said Clark. "They are older people's concepts of how teenagers act... I doubt if there ever can be a truly honest portrayal in films. Not all girls are beautiful and all boys handsome, as they are in films... [But] the script is fairly true to life. Most teenagers are normal."[7]

The cast included several young actors under contract to Columbia including Michael Callan. Warren Berlinger had just been in Blue Denim.

Shooting

Filming started 12 August 1959.[8]

The campus and classroom scenes were shot at Hoover High School in Glendale, California; most of that school's buildings were later torn down and replaced with a more contemporary look in the mid-1960s to comply with California's building codes for schools.

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called the film "an agreeable surprise."[9]

The film did not make Varietys list of top earners for 1960.[10]

References

  1. ^ Sullivan, R. (1959, Mar 15). Grubby paths thru sensation. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/182240341?accountid=13902
  2. ^ By, L. N. (1959, Apr 19). IN AND OUT OF BOOKS. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/114637430?accountid=13902
  3. ^ Levin, M. (1959, Apr 26). Dating and mating. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/114908869?accountid=13902
  4. ^ Dick clark to make film debut; cannes festival entries listed. (1959, Apr 29). New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/114902515?accountid=13902
  5. ^ Scheuer, P. K. (1959, May 28). Yvette ideal girl of distant future. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/167436473?accountid=13902
  6. ^ FILMLAND EVENTS: Wendkos to Direct 'Harrison High' Los Angeles Times 5 June 1959: A9.
  7. ^ Thomas, B. (1959, Oct 18). Potentate of the clark cult. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/182392767?accountid=13902
  8. ^ Entertainment Films Stage Music: 'Blue Denim' Pair Cast at Columbia Los Angeles Times 12 Aug 1959: C7.
  9. ^ Film Ponders Ways of Youth: 'They're Young' Forms an Agreeable Surprise Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 13 Mar 1960: I1.
  10. ^ ""Rental Potentials of 1960"". Variety. 4 January 1961. p. 47.
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