Right from the origins of cinema, countless films and television dramas have offered sensational and seductive representations of young people's lives. Youth is typically associated with energy, idealism and physical beauty, but it is often represented as both troubled and troubling. These representations are almost always created by adults, implicitly reflecting an adult perspective on how young people 'come of age'. _Youth on Screen_ provides a historical account of representations of youth in Britain and the United States, stretching back over seventy years. From _Blackboard Jungle_ to _This is England_, and from _Jailhouse Rock_ to _Skins_, it covers a range of classics, as well as some intriguing obscurities. Engagingly written and clearly organized, it offers a perfect introduction for students and general readers.