1970—1980: Ten Golden Years of Teen Films

The Death of Richie, 1977
This made-for-TV anti-drug movie added to its shock value by mentioning it was based on a true story. The film stars Robby Benson and includes Lance Kerwin and Clint Howard (yes, Ron Howard’s brother). Eileen Brennan of Private Benjamin fame plays the submissive mother and Ben Gazzara is the hard-assed, emotionally stunted (and seriously cranky) father. Richie is a teenager who can’t seem to get along with his parents or deal with social pressures. To escape he creates a psychedelic drug den in his closet, covering the walls in tin foil. (Far out, man.) He starts to shy away from mainstream activities to hang out with his stoner friends who don’t seem to have all that much fun even when they’re high.

Richie increases his use of pot and pills, even lying on his bed smoking a joint in front of his mom during a Christmas party. Matters only get worse and Richie acts out in inappropriate violent rages. Even Richie’s drug dealing friend “Brick” thinks he’s using to excess. (Brick, by the way, is played by Charles Fleischer, who occasionally played Welcome Back Kotter‘s non-Sweathog bad boy Carvelli) Richie ODs, his parents lock him out for the night, he and his dad fight, Mom worries, Richie gets high and aggressive again. . . lather, rinse, repeat. As far as therapy goes, well, what would the neighbors say? Dad is unwilling to attend sessions and by the time Mom realizes things are out of control, they have long passed the point of no return. The situation climaxes in a confrontation between father, son, and a gun, but the title probably gives the rest away.

Cotton Candy, 1978
A dorky group of underdog teens form a band named Cotton Candy (led by American Graffiti‘s Charles Martin Smith). There’s a battle of the bands afoot and they must compete against a popular pyrotechnic-loving band named Rapid Fire (who only seem to know a cover of “I Shot the Sheriff”). Ron Howard directed and co-wrote this made-for-TV schmaltz with his brother Clint, who also plays one of the film’s lovable losers. (The fact that the movie remains unreleased to this day hints at Howard’s possible feelings about the work.) The goofy looking teens awkwardly play strip poker and gig at a tot’s birthday party—not simultaneously, of course. They’re serious about the band, but are their tunes (like the glorious Bubblegum song “Star Ship”) enough to win over the audience and Rapid Fire fans at the battle of the bands?

The Initiation of Sarah, 1978
Kay Lenz stars as a shy outcast teen with telekinetic powers. She and her pretty and potentially popular sister Patty pledge sororities. Of course, Patty is accepted into the prestigious house while Sarah is relegated to the reject sorority full of social misfits. Morgan Fairchild plays the tormenting über bitch Jennifer, the leader of the popular sorority house. Patty assures Sarah that they will remain friends, but Jennifer, who should win the gold medal in Olympic cruelty, tells Patty she must not speak to her sister again. (Ain’t that a kick?) The late great Shelley Winters plays the ominous housemother to Sarah and her sorority sisters. She’s terribly secretive about a locked room and her initiation rituals. Who can predict what will happen during the sorority’s initiation? This is a guaranteed good time movie—except for the characters in the film. Think of it as Carrie-light with less pig’s blood and no mentions of dirty pillows.

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