Watch The Violent Years

The Violent Years is a 1956 film directed by William Morgan, which addresses issues of juvenile crime, violence and delinquency in post-World War II America. The story revolves around the character of Paula, a 17-year-old girl from a wealthy family who leads a gang of teenage girls who run amok and commit various crimes, including theft, vandalism, arson and assault.

Jean Moorhead stars as Paula, the ringleader of the gang, who is portrayed as intelligent, strong-willed and ruthless. She is a character that defies gender norms of the time and represents a new type of teenage girl that is disillusioned with the traditional values of society. Her gang is made up of fellow high-school students who are bored and frustrated with their lives, and who find a sense of freedom and excitement in their criminal activities.

Barbara Weeks plays Mrs. Bradley, Paula's mother, who is depicted as distant and uncaring. She is too busy with her own social life and responsibilities to pay much attention to her daughter's destructive behavior. It is suggested that Paula's rebelliousness is a result of her mother's neglect and lack of guidance.

Art Millan plays Detective Egan, a law enforcement official who is determined to catch the gang and bring them to justice. He is presented as a sympathetic character who understands the root causes of juvenile delinquency and who tries to help Paula and her friends through his interactions with them.

The film is notable for its frank portrayal of teenage crime and delinquency, which was a taboo subject in the 1950s. It presents a social commentary on the breakdown of traditional values and the disillusionment of youth in post-war America. The Violent Years was also one of the first films to address the issue of female juvenile delinquency, which was seen as a new and disturbing phenomenon at the time.

The film's title, The Violent Years, is a reference to the perceived increase in youth violence in the post-war era. The film was part of a wider cultural discussion about the causes and consequences of juvenile delinquency, which included books, articles, and other media.

Overall, The Violent Years is an important cultural artifact that captures the anxieties and concerns of post-War America, and offers a glimpse into the changing attitudes towards youth and societal norms during the 1950s.

The Violent Years is a 1956 drama with a runtime of 56 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.5.