Summer School (1987)

Director:

Carl Reiner

Writers:

Stuart Birnbaum (story) &
David Dashev (story) ...

Release Date:

22 July 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

At Ocean Front High, what do they call a guy who cuts classes, hates homework, and lives for summer vacations? Teacher.

Plot:

A high-school gym teacher has big plans for the summer, but is forced to cancel them to teach a "bonehead" English class for misfit goof-off students...

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Summer | Student | High School | Field Trip

Cast

Mark Harmon	...	Mr. Freddy Shoop
Kirstie Alley	...	Ms. Robin Elizabeth Bishop
Robin Thomas	...	Vice Principal Phil Gills
Patrick Labyorteaux	...	Kevin Winchester
Courtney Thorne-Smith	...	Pam House
Dean Cameron	...	Francis 'Chainsaw' Gremp
Gary Riley	...	Dave Frazier
Kelly Jo Minter	...	Denise Green (as Kelly Minter)
Ken Olandt	...	Larry Kazamias
Shawnee Smith	...	Rhonda Altobello
Richard Steven Horvitz	...	Alan Eakian
Fabiana Udenio	...	Anna-Maria Mazarelli
Francis X. McCarthy	...	Principal Kelban (as Frank McCarthy)
Tom Troupe	...	Judge
Lucy Lee Flippin	...	Substitute Teacher - Ms. Cura

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:12 | West Germany:12 (cut) | West Germany:16 | Spain:13 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Charles Evans Hughes Jr. High School - 5607 Capistrano, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The Hawaiian shirt that Mark Harmon wears is the same exact Duke Kahanamoku model Montgomery Clift wears in "From Here To Eternity."

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Rhonda stands up during first roll call and pats her pregnant stomach, the echo of the ball under her shirt is audible.

Quotes:

Shoop: Please take your seats.
Chainsaw, Dave: Where should we take 'em?

Movie Connections:

References An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Soundtrack:

Jackie

One of the greatest 80s teen comedies ever made

While John Hughes seems to have the monopoly on 80s teen comedies, anyone who loved Ferris Bueller etc... should check out this Carl Reiner masterpiece. Great writing, flawless direction and perfect performances from the lead roles help this film portray summer, school, (as you could guess from the title)and teenage rebellion with charm and wit. Mark Harman is widely considered to have made his name on his looks, but the performance he gives in Summer School is one of a comedy master, with subtle hints of a father figure who never grew up himself. A timeless feel-good classic.

two thumbs up.