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Drama Cult Classic

A ruthless teen rules Wilson High with intimidation, corruption, and a gold coin at stake.

HIGH SCHOOL CAESAR

He had more rackets than Al Capone!

1960 · 1h 15m · NR · Drama · IMDB TMDB

Matt Stevens is the big man at high school. He sweats the students for protection money, acquires copies of tests for a fee, and has rigged the votes so he can beat Kelly in the election for student president. Aside from his anointed acolytes, Matt is almost universally despised. His parents are obscenely rich and spend their time travelling in Europe rather than giving him the parental guidance he needs. Things begin to get ugly when some of the teens resist his power and show Matt up at the drag race.

Quick Answer

What is High School Caesar about?

High School Caesar is a 1960 American drama film directed by O'Dale Ireland about Matt Stevens, a wealthy and manipulative teenager who rigs a high school election, extorts his classmates, and faces growing resistance from his peers.

Programmer's Pick

High School Caesar delivers a teensploitation punch with its proto-greaser overlord and a school so corrupt it makes student government look like the mob. Matt Stevens’ gold-plated ego—and gold coin—are on the line in a world where drag races decide power and love is just another transaction.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Matt Stevens is the self-appointed kingpin of Wilson High, running the student body like a petty mob boss. With his leather-jacketed gang, he bullies classmates for protection money, rigs the class president election, and imposes fees for everything from school dances to test answers. Matt’s power isn’t built on popularity—most students resent him and his lack of fairness. Even his closest ally, Crickett, is more a devotee than a friend. Beneath Matt’s bravado is a teenager neglected by wealthy, absentee parents. As the student body’s patience wears thin, the setup is primed for conflict between Matt’s authoritarian rule and peers unwilling to play by his rules.

Details & Specs

Director
O'Dale Ireland
Writers
O'Dale Ireland, Ethelmae Wilson Page, Robert Slaven
Release
1960
Runtime
1h 15m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Drama

Why This Matters

Released by Filmgroup as a double feature with Date Bait, this 1960 film typifies the era's teen-centered exploitation cinema and reflects the distribution strategies of pairing genre films for drive-in audiences.
— SassyFlix Curator

Why Cult

High School Mob Boss

Matt Stevens runs Wilson High with intimidation, extortion, and a taste for rigged elections.

Teensploitation Drama

This independent film fully embraces campy teensploitation, featuring delinquent antics and drag races.

Corrupt Student Government

Student politics get the gangster treatment as Matt fixes votes and monetizes everything from tests to dances.

Lonely Rich Kid Angle

Matt’s villainy is fueled by absentee, globe-trotting parents, adding a layer of melodramatic pathos.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was High School Caesar released? +

High School Caesar was released in 1960.

Who directed High School Caesar? +

High School Caesar was directed by O'Dale Ireland.

How long is High School Caesar? +

High School Caesar has a runtime of 75 minutes.

What genre is High School Caesar? +

High School Caesar is a drama film.

Trailers & Clips