Tell Your Children
Seen it?1938 | 66 min | Drama
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It's still drawing plenty of interest, but a lukewarm 42% audience score and soft box office held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Great for people who like stories that don't look away and anyone who loves a strong drama. It deals with hard things honestly. If you loved GoodFellas, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Gives its people room to develop, at 1 hr 6 min. An easy one to fit in on a school night.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1938: an older pace and style.
- Not the one if you want explosions or easy laughs.
High-school principal Dr. Alfred Carroll relates to an audience of parents that marijuana can have devastating effects on teens: a drug supplier entices several restless teens, Mary and Jimmy Lane, sister and brother, and Bill, Mary's boyfriend, into frequenting a reefer house. Gradually, Bill and Jimmy are drawn into smoking dope, which affects their family lives.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
39% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
Our audience score: 42%
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide on a $100K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 127K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Brokedown Palace Weeknight WatchAnother drug-world drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
GoodFellas
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drug-world drama.
Catch Me If You Can Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
Snowden
Sunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Point Blank
Saturday SpecialAnother drama.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Louis J. Gasnier
- Dorothy ShortMary
- Kenneth CraigBill
- Lillian MilesBlanche
- Dave O'BrienRalph
- Thelma WhiteMae
- Carleton YoungJack
- Warren McCollumJimmy
- Patricia RoyaleAgnes
- Joseph ForteDr. Carroll
- Harry Harvey Jr.Junior