Review of Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) by E F — 08 Jun 2010

Rock 'n' Roll High School is not only a Roger Corman classic, but also a genuine cult classic that served as a real bridge between the end of the 70's and the dawning of the 80's as the rowdy students of Vince Lombardi High School never let the party die, or the music stop.

That is, until new principal Mary Woronov takes charge and in true tyrannical fashion, make every effort to stop the music that plagues the school, namely the music of The Ramones, the class majority's favorite band, especially the favorite band of lead and school bad girl Riff Randell (then VERY beautiful P.

J. Soles) who works to not only keep the party spirit alive at school, but also to thwart the principal's attempts at bringing down school spirit. She's also attempting to show off her written songs to the Ramones who are holding a big concert in town.

The film also features the likes of Corman film regulars like Clint Howard, Paul Bartel, Dick Miller, and Joe Dante (who helped to write the film). The end result is a purely slapstick-riddled and slightly moronic and heavily dated film, but in this instance, who cares? This was our Step Up back in the day, only much much much much MUCH better, with loads of great Ramones songs and performances, lots of ultra non-PC humor throughout nearly this entire PG film, back in a day when Americans weren't pussies and felt the need to censor anything and everything.

Come to think of it, the stiff, dull part of America has essentially become Principal Togar! Anyways, this films a lot of fun and Soles is very beautiful to look at it. It's a shame age has not been well to her.

The same cannot be said for co-star Dey Young, who actually looks hotter now than she did back then. Fast-living hot chick turned ugly, while straight-laced nerd turned hot...go figure. Overall, great nostalgic movie.

You dumb, young people need not apply.