Claiming to be a Daring Drug Expose!, this early exploitation film evaded strict censorship of its lurid content (Weird Orgies, Wild Parties, Unleashed Passions!) by claiming to be educational - a cautionary tale about the alleged dangers of premarital sexual intercourse and the use of recreational drugs. Directed by Dwain Esper, and written by Esper's wife, Hildagarde Stadie, the plot followed a teenage girl who succumbs to "the weed with roots in hell" at a beach party and ends up pregnant, peddling Heroin, and planning a kidnapping, implying that one puff of the devil's weed would lead to Heroin addiction and ruin. With its scenes of wild parties, playful nudity and illicit drug-taking, Marihuana has become one of the cult classics of the 1930s for its laughable campness. Naturally, the rare original posters for the film, with their camp, colourful artwork and sensational slogans, have become very desirable to collectors. Following the first release of the movie in 1936, Marihuana toured the country in roadshow presentations through the 30s and 40s, making it difficult to precisely date the surviving posters, which can be found with various minor design variations. The blank portion at the top of the poster was designed for each theater to advertise their screening details. 

Provenance

Very Good (B+)

Conservation backed on linen. Prior to backing this poster had one vertical and three folds as issued, with minor splits to fold edges, small perpendicular splits across folds in places, minor edge wear and a tiny loss to tip of upper right corner. Backing and light colour touching have smoothed and diminished these imperfections for display. Image and colours otherwise excellent.