Back to School (1986)

Director:

Alan Metter

Writers:

Rodney Dangerfield (story) &
Greg Fields (story) ...

Release Date:

13 June 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Sport

Tagline:

Registration starts Friday, June 13, at theaters everywhere.

Plot:

To help his discouraged son get through college, a funloving and obnoxious rich businessman decides to enter the school as a student himself.

Plot Keywords:

Score Employs Electronic Instruments | Speedo | College Campus | Diving Board | College Student

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Rodney Dangerfield	...	Thornton Melon
Sally Kellerman	...	Dr. Diane Turner
Burt Young	...	Lou
Keith Gordon	...	Jason Melon
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Derek
Paxton Whitehead	...	Dr. Phillip Barbay
Terry Farrell	...	Valerie Desmond
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Coach Turnbull
Adrienne Barbeau	...	Vanessa
William Zabka	...	Chas
Ned Beatty	...	Dean Martin
Severn Darden	...	Dr. Borozini
Sam Kinison	...	Professor Terguson
Robert Picardo	...	Giorgio
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.	...	Himself

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:MG6 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #27622) | Germany:6 | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Finland:K-10 | Iceland:L | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Paper Clip

Trivia:

One of the last shots in the opening montage is of Rodney Dangerfield golfing. This was taken directly from his first film, Caddyshack (1980)

Goofs:

Continuity: When the football team confronts Derek, Jason is standing more towards Lou near the booth. When the football player picks up Derek, Jason is now behind Derek. In the next shot when Thorton steps in, Jason is back near Lou.

Quotes:

[Thornton has a room full of experts writing his papers]
Jason Melon: Dad, what's goin' on here?
Thornton Melon: I'm doin' my homework.
Jason Melon: No, no, no, no, THEY're doing your homework.
Thornton Melon: Jason, a good executive knows how to delegate authority.

Movie Connections:

References "Wonder Woman" (1976)

Soundtrack:

Twist And Shout

Revenge of the 80's:The reinvention of Rodney Dangerfield continues..

Back to School (1986) was a surprise hit for stand up comedian actor Rodeny Dangerfield. After making a big impression with audiences with his spot in the golf comedy Caddyshack and a lead role in Easy Money, his star was slowly rising. But it was this film that cemented his spot in American pop culture as a true icon of the 80's and a transition star.

Rodney stars as Thorton Melon (nee Meloni) a successful entrepreneur who had to drop out of school when he was younger to take care of the family business. Years later his son is in college but feel dissatisfied with life in general. After a series of comical events, Mr. Melon decides to visit his son's exclusive university to see how he's really doing. Along the way he decides to give book learning a try.

A very enjoyable film. Rodney Dangerfield made the transaction from a stand-up act to an actor. The director wisely let him improvise his dialog and work in some of his material into the movie. The cast features Sally Kellerman, Robert Downey Jr., Keith Gordon, Burt Young, Terry Farrell and guest star slots for Adrienne Barbeau and Ned Beatty.

Not a masterpiece by any means but an enjoyable film none the less. Recommended, especially on a slow Sunday afternoon.