We continue our trip back to school with a film that I so truly love, 1960’s High School Caesar!
High School Caesar tells the story of Matt Stevens (John Ashley), a high school student who also happens to be an aspiring crime boss. With the help of his ever present entourage of leather jacket-wearing acolytes, Matt shakes down his fellow students for protection money, sells copies of tests, and even goes so far as to rig the student elections to make sure that he’s elected Student Body President over the idealistic (but rather boring) Kelly Roberts (Lowell Brown). His classmates may hate him but, along with his jumpy second-in-command Cricket (Steve Stevens) and his sultry girlfriend Lita (Daria Massey), Matt rules the school.
When we first meet Matt, he’s busy beating another student into unconsciousness. (“He won’t ever pay late again,” Matt explains to his gang.) In fact, Matt is such a tough guy at school that I’m sure that 1960 viewers were quite shocked to discover that, away from school, Matt actually lives in a mansion. (Today, the idea that a spoiled rich kid might turn out to be a jerk is no longer all that shocking.) Matt’s parents are touring Europe and have basically abandon Matt. The only two people taking care of him are a butler that he talks down to and a maid that he adores you.
As quickly becomes obvious, Matt is intent on controlling the entire school. However, what he doesn’t know is that a group of the “good” kids (all of whom voted for boring, old Kelly Roberts) have been getting together and having drag races. When Matt finds out and decides to take that over as well, his classmates finally start to fight back…
So, why do I love High School Caesar? Well, first off, it’s an out-of-control youth film and I love out-of-control youth films. After all, this entire back-to-school series pretty much exists because of my love for films about teenagers who are growing up too fast and taking things too far. But even beyond that, High School Caesar is distinguished by John Ashley’s excellent performance as Matt. If Buzz hadn’t gone over that cliff in Rebel Without A Cause, he probably would have turned out to be a lot like Matt. Matt might be a bad guy but, as is evident from his relationship with the family maid, he just needs someone to care about him.
And finally, how can you not love the High School Caesar soundtrack?
Personally, I hope that, at some point in the future, Peyton Reed remakes High School Caesar. But until then, you can watch the original below!
Through the Shattered Lens 