Scream Free! Explained

Scream Free!
Director:Bill Brame
John Lawrence (uncredited)
Screenplay:James Gordon White
John Lawrence
Producer:John Lawrence
executive
Maurice Smith
Ray Dornn
Lynn Steed
Starring:Russ Tamblyn
Richard Beymer
Lana Wood
Studio:Dorad Productions
Distributor:Hollywood Star Pictures
Runtime:80 mins
Country:USA
Language:English

Scream Free! is a 1969 American film. It reunited two of the stars of the film of West Side Story, Russ Tamblyn and Richard Beymer, who appeared opposite Lana Wood, the sister of Natalie Wood, who was also in West Side Story.

The film was also known as Free Grass and Street Drugs.

The film was re-edited in 1989 for a video release with new scenes added and released under the title Street Drugs.[1]

Premise

A man flees with his girlfriend on his motorbike to Mexico.

Cast

Production

The film was shot in March 1968 based on a script by John Lawrence who produced it through a company formed with Maurice L. Smith.[2]

James Gordon White, who worked with Lawrence on The Glory Stompers also worked on the script. He recalled "I didn’t like working on the script. The guys that had the original story credit were given that for putting up the money."[3]

Filming took place in Los Angeles with scenes shot at Griffith Park under the title Free Grass.[4]

Reception

Shock Magazine said "Despite some tedious stretches, it's recommended for anyone into counterculture nostalgia, or members of the Russ Tamblyn Fan Club. "[5]

Video Beat said "Things to look for: Richard Avedon's psychedelic John Lennon posters covering an entre wall, lots of smoking joints, crash pads, psychedelic rock band, "The Boston Tea Party," strobe lights, an unbelievable amount of flashing trippy effects (there's even an end credit for "Psychedelic Lights and Visual Effects") and an absolutely goofy ending."[6]

Psychotronic Video said "A lot of people would enjoy this lost feature (which isn’t a biker movie, although, characters do ride cycles). It deserves to be released in original form."[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Video retreads and bungled Bs. Daily News. 6 March 1991. 37.
  2. News: The Los Angeles Times Part IV. 11 March 1968. 32. John Saxon set for 'lead'.
  3. Book: Albright, Brian. Wild beyond belief! : interviews with exploitation filmmakers of the 1960s and 1970s. 2008. 216.
  4. News: New Castle News. 4 April 1968. 6. Behind the scenes in Hollywood.
  5. https://www.shockcinemamagazine.com/freegrass.html Review of film
  6. https://www.thevideobeat.com/beatnik-hippie-drug-movies/free-grass-scream-free-1969.html Review of film
  7. Free Grass. Psychotronic Video. 11. 9. Spring 1991.