The Explosive Generation

The Explosive Generation is a 1961 film directed by Buzz Kulik. It stars William Shatner and Patty McCormack. Plot The story is about Peter Gifford, a teacher who wants to teach high school students to think for themselves and express themselves. A female student pushes to have open classroom discussion about the physical and emotional issues associated with teenage relationships and sex. This issue gets blown out of proportion by parents who don't have the facts and jump to ill-informed conclusions, demanding sanctions against the mostly innocent teacher, who keeps still on the matter to protect the involved students. The entire student body rallies in a Gandhiesque silent protest that helps everyone learn to appreciate the truth of the matter. Cast William Shatner as Peter Gifford Patty McCormack as Janet Sommers Lee Kinsolving as Dan Carlyle Virginia Field as Mrs. Katie Sommers Billy Gray as Bobby Herman Jr. Steve Dunne as Bobby Herman Sr. Phillip Terry as Mr. Carlyle Arch Johnson as Mr. George Sommers Edward Platt as Mr. Morton Beau Bridges as Mark Stafford Repp as Police Captain Vito Scotti as Custodian Jocelyn Brando as Mrs. Ryker (uncredited) David Geffen as Student (uncredited)