Rock 'n' Roll High School

MOVIE #1,877 • 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 • 08.12.24 This isn't really an official Dante film (it was directed by his Hollywood Boulevard partner Allan Arkush) but he co-wrote the story and allegedly ghost-directed some scenes so why the hell not, let's watch it. Many of the same actors from both Hollywood Boulevard and Piranha are in this, as are the authors of the titular song: The Ramones, of course (the REAL stars of the show). And Clint Howard is here too! Despite its moments of incredible goofiness (and there are plenty), this is really endearing and has some incredible moments, especially all the on-screen Ramones performances…

I liked this Clint Howard bit on lover's lane with the fake nighttime background...



And this paper airplane, which reminded me of the javelin in Pandemonium (1982)...


Lyrically, "Rock 'n' Roll High School" is a silly novelty song but it's actually got a wonderful melody and chord structure. I'm not sure I've ever really appreciated it before. There are plenty of other amazing Ramones tunes in this as well, including “I Want You Around” and “Teenage Lobotomy” and more. I gotta listen to more Ramones!

The next film is widely considered Dante's first great film, 1981’s The Howling and I’m very excited as I’ve never seen it before.

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CHRONOLOGICALLY
⫷ MOVIE #1,876 - (YOU ARE HERE) - MOVIE #1,878 ⫸

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Rock 'n' Roll High School is a 1979 American musical comedy film directed by Allan Arkush, produced by Michael Finnell, and starring P. J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, Clint Howard and Dey Young. The film features the punk rock group Ramones. It was released on August 24, 1979.