High School Confidential!

Directed by Jack Arnold, 1958
85 minutes

“Directed by Jack Arnold, one of the great B-movie specialists, High School Confidential! starts with a bang.” —David Sterritt, Cineaste

A tough new student muscles into the campus drug scene, setting off a slang-filled 1950s morality tale of juvenile delinquency, undercover investigation, and rock-and-roll rebellion. Starring Russ Tamblyn (who went on to play Riff in West Side Story), High School Confidential! includes appearances by John Drew Barrymore, Jackie Coogan, and Mamie Van Doren—as well as a rollicking theme song performed by rock-n-roll icon Jerry Lee Lewis.

The “My Favorite Films” series features tales of romance, humor, suspense, satire, and heroism with films since 1945. These films may hold special memories for you—no matter how many times you see them, they continue to draw you in once more. While many of these films are available through streaming, it's always more fun to see them in the theatre.

This October, join us for the My Favorite Films series as we celebrate the cinematic vision of artists Ed and Linda Blackburn, whose works are part of the Modern’s collection. Paintings like Ed Blackburn’s Painting No. 3 (High School Confidential) and Painting No. 4 (You Belong to Me) draw inspiration from popular films from the 1940s and 1950s—and now you can see the movies that inspired them! Before or after the screenings, spend time in the galleries and discover the Blackburns’ spirited dialogue with art and film.

Make a day of it at the Modern and include extra time to visit the galleries. Enjoy lunch in Café Modern and then settle in for an afternoon screening, or plan for a coffee break afterwards with fellow film enthusiasts.

Screenings are at 2 pm most Wednesdays in the auditorium. Tickets are $5 (free for Modern members) and are available at the Museum’s admission desk or online here.