Up In Smoke

Up in Smoke is a 1978 comedy film directed by Lou Adler and starring the iconic stoner comedy duo, Cheech and Chong, who also wrote the screenplay. The movie became a classic and a cultural phenomenon, capturing the essence and humor of the hippie counterculture of the 1970s. Behind the scenes of the movie, however, the making of Up in Smoke was far from what one would expect.

Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, better known as Cheech and Chong, had already established themselves as a stand-up comedy duo. They were signed by Adler to perform at his club, The Roxy, in Los Angeles. Adler was impressed by their performances and offered them a chance to create a film together.

The film was initially called "High Times," but the movie studio was hesitant to incorporate cannabis culture into the film's title. They asked for a new title, and Cheech came up with "Up in Smoke."

The film's plot follows two friends, Pedro and Man, who meet by chance and form a bond over their shared love for marijuana. Along the way, they get into multiple misadventures due to their love for cannabis, and the story takes a hilarious turn.

Filming began in the fall of 1977, and it was shot primarily on location in Los Angeles. However, there were several challenges to producing the film amidst the era's drug culture. Production was routinely interrupted by on-set marijuana use and actors forgetting their lines.

One particular scene involving a van made entirely out of marijuana posed several challenges since it was challenging to find plants that would not wilt under the harsh lights on set. The effects team got creative and covered the van in oregano to make it appear like marijuana.

Despite challenges, the movie was completed and released on time. The film's soundtrack also included music from up-and-coming artists such as War, the Cheech and Chong Band, and Tom Scott.

To promote the movie, Cheech and Chong went on a nationwide tour, performing at sold-out concerts and promoting the film along the way. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Cheech Marin admitted that the band's popularity helped promote the film, and the tour helped them reach audiences beyond traditional movie watchers.

Upon its release, Up In Smoke was a box office success and propelled Cheech and Chong into a cultural phenomenon. The film is still a classic and remains popular among fans of stoner comedies, with its mix of slapstick humor and a showcase of cannabis culture.

Despite its incendiary subject matter, Up In Smoke managed to become a box office sensation, despite exceeding its budget. It launched the careers of Marin and Chong, who would go on to make more successful films together. The movie remains a snapshot of a bygone era when stoner comedies were the norm, and its influence can be seen in many pop culture works today.

Up in Smoke's success led to further movies featuring Cheech and Chong, including "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie" and "Nice Dreams." The duo became pop culture icons and heavily influenced the development of stoner comedies.

However, the making of Up in Smoke had a more significant impact than just launching the careers of Cheech and Chong. The movie was the first portray of cannabis culture in mainstream media and helped to bring it into the limelight. It also demonstrated that there was a market for stories about stoners, and it would inspire a generation of stoner comedies and counterculture films.

Up in Smoke's success did not come without criticism, however. The film was banned in some countries and faced backlash from anti-drug campaigns.

First and foremost, the film's subject matter - marijuana use - is the primary reason why it was banned in some countries. In the 1970s, marijuana was still considered a controversial and illicit substance in many parts of the world. The depiction of marijuana use and its implications on public morality led to the banning of the film in some countries that had strict censorship laws.

Furthermore, Up in Smoke was a film that challenged conventional social norms and values. The movie's humor was rife with sexual innuendos and off-color jokes, which were unacceptable in many communities worldwide. The film's liberal use of profanity and the drug-related themes made it unsuitable for many people, especially younger audiences.

Several countries, the United Arab Emirates, for example, had very strict censorship laws. The government deemed Up in Smoke to be highly offensive and deemed it unsuitable for public consumption. It was, therefore, banned in such countries. Censorship was the norm in many countries during this era, which limited creative expression significantly.

In some countries, the movie was also banned due to the portrayal of law enforcement and authority figures as bumbling and ineffective. Law enforcement agencies and officials work hard to maintain safety and order, and the portrayal of them as foolish and incapable is not seen as acceptable.

Moreover, the film's negative portrayal of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans ruffled feathers in some parts of the world. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are both of Mexican-American descent, and their humor, which included several Mexican stereotypes, was offensive to some people. This led to the ban of the film, particularly in Mexico.

In conclusion, Up in Smoke was a groundbreaking comedy that pushed the boundaries of conventional humor and societal norms. The depiction of marijuana use, sex, and unconventional humor made it unsuitable for many viewers. The censorship laws in countries where it was banned also played a huge role in its unavailability. While it may have faced criticism and bans in some areas, it remains a cult classic and an iconic film in American cinema history.