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The Explosive Generation

  • 1961
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
442
YOUR RATING
The Explosive Generation (1961)
The Explosive Generation: Apologize?
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Watch The Explosive Generation: Apologize?
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86 Photos
Drama

A high-school teacher gets into trouble when he tries to teach a sex-education class.A high-school teacher gets into trouble when he tries to teach a sex-education class.A high-school teacher gets into trouble when he tries to teach a sex-education class.

  • Director
    • Buzz Kulik
  • Writer
    • Joseph Landon
  • Stars
    • William Shatner
    • Patty McCormack
    • Lee Kinsolving
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    442
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Buzz Kulik
    • Writer
      • Joseph Landon
    • Stars
      • William Shatner
      • Patty McCormack
      • Lee Kinsolving
    • 20User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    The Explosive Generation: Apologize?
    Clip 1:02
    The Explosive Generation: Apologize?

    Photos86

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    + 80
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    Top cast30

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    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Peter Gifford
    Patty McCormack
    Patty McCormack
    • Janet Sommers
    Lee Kinsolving
    Lee Kinsolving
    • Dan Carlyle
    Virginia Field
    Virginia Field
    • Mrs. Katie Sommers
    Stephen Dunne
    Stephen Dunne
    • Bobby Herman Sr.
    • (as Steve Dunne)
    Phillip Terry
    Phillip Terry
    • Mr. Carlyle
    Arch Johnson
    Arch Johnson
    • Mr. George Sommers
    Edward Platt
    Edward Platt
    • Mr. Morton
    Suzi Carnell
    • Marge Ryker
    Jan Norris
    Jan Norris
    • Terry
    Beau Bridges
    Beau Bridges
    • Mark
    Peter Virgo
    • Fred - Dean of Boys
    Stafford Repp
    Stafford Repp
    • Police Captain
    Bruce Kerner
    • Mark
    Peter Virgo Jr.
    • George
    Judee Morton
    • Charlene
    • (as Judy Morton)
    Vito Scotti
    Vito Scotti
    • H.S. - Custodian
    Michael Quinn
    Michael Quinn
    • Director
      • Buzz Kulik
    • Writer
      • Joseph Landon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to the Arizona Republic newspaper of August 22, 2014, two days of filming occurred at Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona. About 350 students got to play extras in the film. Making his Hollywood debut as an extra was a 17-year-old David Geffen, the future music and film producer.
    • Goofs
      The first time William Shatner enters the classroom, a microphone is visible at the top of the frame for a full ten seconds.
    • Quotes

      Mrs. Katie Sommers: What do you mean "prove" your love?

      Janet Sommers: Well if you don't know, maybe you'd better ask DAD!

    • Connections
      Featured in American Masters: Inventing David Geffen (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Wait for Me
      By Hal Borne
      Sung by Kim Charney (as Kimm Charney)

    User reviews20

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10

    Surprisingly earnest

    Contrary to the lurid poster and title, The Explosive Generation is an enlightened, sensitive, and even-handed treatment of the issues involved in attempting to include a sexual education curriculum in high schools in the early 1960's. William Shatner is sensitive, realistic, gentle, and winning as the teacher trying to his best only to find his words and methods distorted by those with other agendas.

    Patty McCormack (known for the Bad Seed, Kathy O, the Miniskirt Mob, and the Ropers) is quite good as the ingenue made to feel suddenly uncomfortable about her own sexuality in increasingly tense and challenging times. 50's TV fans will enjoy seeing Bud from Father Knows Best (Billy Gray) as one of the students. This is truly worth seeing both as a movie and as a history lesson.
    • the_old_roman
    • Aug 26, 2001
    • Permalink

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    FAQ13

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Frühreife Generation
    • Filming locations
      • Mesa High School, Mesa, Arizona, USA(Mason High School)
    • Production company
      • Vega Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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