Review of Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) by Hunter D — 15 Nov 2010

It's the biggest, craziest, most exciting party from the late seventies you can think of, rolled up into movie form. You've got the energetic and cute P.J. Soles of HALLOWEEN and CARRIE fame, you've got Clint Howard's memorable mug, DEATH RACE 2000 director Paul Bartel running around in front of the camera as the square music teacher who converts to punk rock, a cameo by Dick Miller, a giant punk-rock loving lab rat, grabby hall monitors, and of course, The Ramones.

The movie is total mayhem from start to finish, you can't help but participate in it, even if you're watching it by yourself. Allan Arkush (who didn't go on to do much more of note), made a perfect wild teenage ride with the help of the great Joe Dante, as well as a memorable paper airplane sequence put together by Jerry Zucker, who went on to do the ultimate flight comedy with his collaborators, AIRPLANE! It's perfect for parties and putting yourself in a good mood, especially if you like The Ramones.