Growing up in Raleigh in the late ’70s, punk rock was not something that came naturally. The local rock radio station considered Molly Hatchet new wave. The local mall record store didn’t stock the Sex Pistols for fear of a police raid. Anytime a club had a punk night, the cops would bust it for fear of all the destruction. TV avoided “punk” except when CHiPs and Quincy visited those violent and outrageous kids and their dangerous clubs where dancing was merely hand to hand combat. There was nothing fun about the depiction of punk around here until one afternoon when a pay cable channel ran Rock ‘N’ Roll High School. There were the Ramones in all their t-shirt, leather jacket, ripped jeans and sneakers glory. Their fast guitar-based music proved there was a gear beyond The Who and The Eagle. The movie showed there was more out there than we were being allowed to believe. It also showed the positive fun in the destructive world of punk. Rock ‘n’ Roll High School: 45th Anniversary 4K UHD takes us even deeper into the joy of discovering the lighter side of punk.
Vince Lombardi High School is about to get a new principal and she’s not going to put up with the same amount of nonsense that sent her predecessor into the funny farm. Principal Togar (Eating Raoul‘s Mary Woronov) is fierce as she seeks to clamp down on the troubled teens that give her lip. Her biggest target is Riff Randell (Stripe‘s P.J. Soles). She’s a rock and roll girl who is mad about The Ramones. She’s becoming a bad influence on campus genius Kate Rambeau ( The Serpent and the Rainbow‘s Dey Young) who wants to also be a wild child. Even with the new harsh rules at school, Riff refuses to be deterred from camping out for three days to not merely get a ticket for The Ramones show, but to buy 100 tickets so she can take her pals from school including Kim. She also wants to meet Joey Ramone to give him a copy of her song “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School.” After she gives away 98 tickets, Togar hijacks the last two. It seems that Riff and Kim will be stuck outside the sold out Ramones show. Even nerdy music teacher Mr. McGree (Eating Raoul‘s Paul Bartel) has a ticket? Can Togar break Riff’s reckless streak?
I made it inside a sold out the Ramones concert when they came to Raleigh. It was a rush to be near the stage when Johnny hit the first riffs of “Blitzkrieg Bop.” The message of this film was true. As Joey sang, I imagined Riff Randell bouncing behind him.
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School is a brilliant and rebellious film. After 45 years, Riff can be viewed as patron saint of rebellious high school girls with good taste. Even the dumb high school jokes don’t fall flat. There’s a subplot about Kim using campus black marketeer Eaglebauer (Gentle Ben‘s Clint Howard) to hook up with goofball Tom Roberts (Hell Nights‘ Vince Van Patten) that would have fallen flat in another high school movie. But in this movie, their awkward relationship glows. Perhaps what makes the movie extra special is the lack of a comeuppance reel. Not to give away the ending, but this is a pure teen dream when the kids get their revenge on the school. When the Ramones drop by the school, the students use this moment to go beyond merely trashing the hallways with their old tests. It’s a glorious musical moment that doesn’t get interrupted by Togar and her student minions putting a final jackboot in the fun. It’s a blast on more than one level. After seeing the film, I dug out my vinyl copy of the Ramones’ first album and cranked it up. Rock ‘n’ Roll High School is a movie that can change your life even 45 Years later.
The video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. This fresh transfer is a 4K Scan From The Original Camera Negative. The Ramones have never looked this good without seeing them in concert. The audio is DTS-HD MA Mono. You’ll be amazed at the range of a single speaker that works with The Ramones music and Riff’s riffs. The movie is subtitled in English.
Two Blu-ray Discs are included. The first disc has the movie and the commentaries. The second disc has all the bonus features.
Interview with Musician and Actor Marky Ramone (19:44) has us spend time with the drummer for the Ramones. He’s not happy he didn’t win an Oscar. By right, “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” should have won the Best Song Oscar. He joined the band (replacing Tommy Ramone) right before they started the film. He felt they were a perfect fit. They all loved Roger Corman. He was happy the movie turned out so good.
“Class Of ’79: 40 Years Of Rock ‘N’ Roll High School” – Expanded Edition (74:07) features new interviews with Director/Story Writer Allan Arkush, Co-Director/Story Writer Joe Dante, Actress P.J. Soles, Screenwriter Richard Whitley, Screenwriter Russ Dvonch, Cinematographer Dean Cundey, Editor Larry Bock, and more. Arkush talks about how the story first started when he was stuck in high school with a fantasy that the Rolling Stones shows up and destroy the place. Arkush reflects on his time working for the Filmore East which led to using the place for his student film at NYU. For those wondering why the Ramones aren’t a part of this bonus feature, sadly Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee have passed away.
Introduction with Allan Arkush (5:30) is for when the film ran at a film festival. He shows off the characters from his high school that became characters in his film. I’m impressed by his record cabinet. Now I want to hang out with Arkush and listen to the vinyl. I’d bring pastries!
Five Audio Commentary Tracks cover everything in the film. First is Director Allan Arkush, Producer Mike Finnell and Screenwriter Richard Whitley talking about the production and the creative process. Next there’s Executive Producer Roger Corman and Actress Dey Young dipping into the tales from making the rebellion on a shoestring. The third track has Allan Arkush And Actors P.J. Soles And Clint Howard. Screenwriters Richard Whitley And Russ Dvonch get their say. New for this edition is Stephen B. Armstrong. He’s got a lot of information since he wrote the book I Want You Around: The Ramones and the Making of Rock ‘N’ Roll High School. You can watch the movie five times with fresh voices.
“Back To School: A Retrospective” (23:46) features interviews with Allan Arkush, Executive Producer Roger Corman, Clint Howard, Joe Dante and others. This was from a previous release. Roger reminds us that he originally wanted to make Disco High. Arkush told Roger that you can’t blow up a high school with disco music.
“Staying After Class” (16:02) reunites actors P.J. Soles, Vincent Van Patten and Dey Young. P.J. jokes about saving the pizza Joey Ramone gave her. The ladies show off the stuff they saved from the film. P.J. talks of her fight with Roseanna Arquette over the part of Riff.
Interview With Roger Corman Conducted By Leonard Maltin (4:36) has Leonard saying he’s fond of the film. Leonard is a cool guy and get Roger to talk about his Disco fixation. Roger talks about the anarchy of the film.
Interview With Allan Arkush (11:35) includes a Look At Rare, Behind-The-Scenes Stills. He talks of the influence of The Beatles in A Hard Day’s Night in letting him understand what a director does.
Allan Arkush’s 2019 Sunday Slasher Rock ‘n’ Roll High School Intro (5:30) has him show off his high school experience before the screening in Chatanooga, TN. The teacher who was so helpful to him actually called him after seeing his name on an episode of Ally McBeal. Arkush also directed numerous episodes of Moonlighting. We learn how Punk magazine got Roger Corman to see why The Ramones belonged in the movie.
Audio Outtakes From The Roxy (15:24) is a recording of The Ramones on stage during the show in the movie.
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School Forever (91:31) is the 1991 sequel that was written and directed by Deborah Brock. Corey Feldman is the troublemaker at Ronald Reagan High built on the ashes of Vince Lombardi High. When things get too much for the principal played by Larry Linville (Frank Burns on MASH), they school board brings back Mary Woronov. Mojo Nixon (“Stuffin’ Martha’s Muffin”) plays the spirt of Rock and Roll. Corey Feldman sings. This is in standard definition.
Original Radio Ads (1:05) and TV Spot (0:34) has them selling the soundtrack along with the film.
Theatrical Trailer (2:11) promises rebellious girls, exploding mice and The Ramones. Do you want to dance?
Trailers From Hell (2:18) has Filmmaker Eli Roth (Hostel) talking about why he loves the film. He gets into how much the soundtrack would cost today.
Happy Birthday, Joey! (3:56) is Allan Arkush’s video talk for special show in memory in Joey Ramone. He says when Joey walked the streets of New York, he was like the Pope. He points out that when they were kids, they saw the same The Who show in 1968. We learn about how a Grateful Dead record almost had the Ramones back out of the film.
The Real Riff Randell (2:07) has Allan Arkush introduce us to the woman who inspired the character. She went to all the shows and brought Johnny Thunders along. She has a cool clothing store in San Diego.
Who Wrote Rock ‘n’ Roll High School? (6:59) has a meta moment as Allan Arkush watch himself introduce a previous video edition. He explains how the script came together. This involves the writer of Altered States and Network and nude gymnastics team. He explains Corman sends him residual checks often. That’s how he bought his spread in Oregon.
Shout Factory presents Rock ‘N’ Roll High School: 45th Anniversary Edition. Directed by: Allan Arkush. Screenplay by: Richard Whitley, Russ Dvonch & Joseph McBride. Starring: P. J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, Clint Howard, Dey Young & The Ramones. Rated: PG. Boxset Contents: 1 4K UHD disc and 2 Blu-ray discs. Running Time: 93 minutes. Released: December 10, 2024.
