Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)

Joe Dante co-wrote this funny, exuberant youth picture about a teenager named Riff Randell (Halloween's P.J. Soles) who is a huge fan of the Ramones and leads a rebellion against her school's uptight, anti-rock-music principal Togar (Mary Woronov in the role of her career). There are many odd touches in this delightful cult film, not the least of which is a giant delinquent mouse who went to seed after listening to loud music. Beyond the funny script and engaging cast, there is of course an incredible soundtrack, featuring all the Ramones songs that most people of a certain age know better than their algebra. Whether you like the Ramones or not, this picture is still a lot of fun and one of the most enjoyable musicals of its time. The "Corman Classics" videotape contains an interview in which producer Roger Corman reveals that the film was originally conceived as Disco High until director Allan Arkush fortunately convinced him that using rock & roll was a better idea. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide