Zapped! (1982)

User Rating:

4.0/10   

Director:

Robert J. Rosenthal

Writers:

Robert J. Rosenthal (writer)
Bruce Rubin (writer)

Release Date:

23 July 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

An A+ Comedy That Makes the Grade!

Plot:

A teenager science-nerd gains telekinetic powers.

Plot Keywords:

High School | Telekinesis | Teen Comedy | Nude In Public | Prom

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Scott Baio	...	Barney Springboro
Willie Aames	...	Peyton Nichols
Robert Mandan	...	Walter J. Coolidge
Felice Schachter	...	Bernadette
Scatman Crothers	...	Dexter Jones
Roger Bowen	...	Mr. Springboro
Mews Small	...	Mrs. Springboro (as Marya Small)
Greg Bradford	...	Robert Wolcott
Hilary Beane	...	Corinne Updike
Sue Ane Langdon	...	Rose Burnhart
Heather Thomas	...	Jane Mitchell
Hardy Keith	...	Roscoe Brown
Curt Ayers	...	Art
Merritt Butrick	...	Gary Cooter
Jennifer Chaplin	...	Melissa Granger

Also Known As:

The Wiz Kid (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | USA:PG (original version)

Filming Locations:

John Marshall High School - 3939 Tracy Street, Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Apple

Trivia:

According to the press kit, on the first take of the sweater popping scene, Heather Thomas was pulled to the ground.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Robert Mandan's character is called "Walter Coolidge" in the film, but during the credits his character is called "Walter Johnson."

Quotes:

Paperboy: Barney bonehead.
Barney Springboro: Up yours.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Pineapple Express (2008)

Soundtrack:

Got To Believe In Magic

If Things Had Only Gone This Well For Carrie

Zapped secured the services of three current teen stars to guarantee a box office for this comedic salute to Carrie. The three are Scott Baio from Happy Days, Willie Aames from Eight Is Enough, and Felice Schachter from The Facts Of Life. Would that things had only gone this well for Carrie on her prom night.

Nerdy kid Scott Baio, a misunderstood science genius, gets some kind of chemicals mixed due to baseball coach Scatman Crothers spilling something and a noxious gas overtakes him in the laboratory in school. When he wakes up he finds himself with the power of telekinesis. After that it's one ridiculous situation after another.

One thing about this film, except for the three leads nearly everyone else in the movie is a blithering idiot. Other kids, teachers, Baio's parents, Scatman Crothers is an exception. Best scene in the film is on prom night Baio's parents get a couple of priests to perform an exorcism on him.

As for the prom, the scene is strictly a takeoff on Brian DePalma's Carrie with the damage played for laughs instead of violence. Typical brat pack comedy by three who were trying to break into the pack. Some funny scenes, but mostly kind of dopey.