Summer School (1987 film)
Summer School | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Carl Reiner |
Screenplay by | Jeff Franklin |
Story by |
|
Produced by | |
Starring | |
Cinematography | David M. Walsh |
Edited by | Bud Molin |
Music by | Danny Elfman |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 minutes[1] |
Country | United States[1] |
Language | English |
Box office | $35.7 million (US)[2] |
Summer School is a 1987 American
Plot
At a
The teacher scheduled to lead the class, Mr. Dearadorian, unexpectedly wins the lottery and immediately quits, so Gills seeks an emergency replacement among the teachers still on school grounds. Each manages to evade him, quickly figuring out what he wants them to do, until he finally corners Shoop, blackmailing him into taking the job or lose
On his first day, Shoop meets Robin Bishop, who is teaching
Gills threatens to fire Shoop unless his students pass the end-of-term test. With Alan's suggestion, Shoop negotiates with each teen to grant them a favor if they study. The kids agree, so he gives Denise driving lessons, accompanies Rhonda to
Shoop is arrested, covering for Chainsaw and Dave after they are found in possession of alcohol. He desperately calls Robin and she and Gills bail him out of jail. Gills then inadvertently exposes his true self to Robin when he reiterates his dislike of Shoop and his students and she overhears, causing her to storm off. Larry loses his stripper job when he is found out by his aunt and his mother, who go to the club where he works.
The students make more demands on Shoop after he tells them they need to take a test so he throws an English book against the
Shoop and his students then begin preparing for the test in earnest, and even Jerome, who had "gone to the bathroom" weeks before, returns. The exam goes smoothly, despite Rhonda going into labor during the test; she later puts the child up for adoption. Gills tells Shoop the average of grades was below passing, indicating failure, so he is ready to fire him. However, the students' parents come to defend him. Due to each of the students' marked improvement, Principal Kelban grants Shoop tenure for his positive efforts despite Gills' objections.
Shoop returns to the beach with his dog and Robin. He asks her to a dinner date for the last time, and she accepts at last, kissing him in the sunset.
Cast
- Mark Harmon as Freddy Shoop
- Kirstie Alley as Robin Bishop
- Robin Thomas as Vice Principal Phil Gills
- Courtney Thorne-Smith as Pam House
- Dean Cameron as Francis "Chainsaw" Gremp
- Gary Riley as Dave Frazier
- Patrick Labyorteaux as Kevin Winchester
- Kelly Jo Minter as Denise Green
- Shawnee Smith as Rhonda Altobello
- Richard Horvitz as Alan Eakian
- Ken Olandt as Larry Kazamias
- Fabiana Udenio as Anna-Maria Mazarelli
- Duane Davis as Jerome Watkins (Bathroom Guy)
- Tom Troupe as Judge Stuart R. Dryer
- Francis X. McCarthy as Principal Kelban (credited as Frank McCarthy)
- Carl Reiner as Mr. Dearadorian
- Andrea Howard as Woman at Strip Joint
Soundtrack
The Summer School soundtrack, on Chrysalis, consists of 1980s rock and dance songs with performers including Paul Engemann, Blondie, E. G. Daily, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Vinnie Vincent, Billy Burnette, and Elisa Fiorillo.
Some songs that appear in the film, including James Brown's, "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and Eddie Murphy's "Party All the Time", do not appear on the soundtrack. The movie is also notable for containing the only completely unreleased Danny Elfman film score to date.
Daily's "
.Track listing
- "Happy" – credited to Danny Elfman (actually performed by Elfman's band Oingo Boingo, but credit changed for contractual reasons) (3:57)
- "Mind over Matter" – E. G. Daily (4:21)
- "Jackie" – Elisa Fiorillo (3:41)
- "I'm Supposed to Have Sex with You" – Tonio K (5:00)
- "Seduction" – E.G. Daily (3:41)
- "Brain Power" – Paul Engemann (4:09)
- "All I Want from You" – Tami Show (5:09)
- "Second Language" – Tone Norum (3:40)
- "My Babe" – The Fabulous Thunderbirds (2:36)
- "Get an Education" – Billy Burnette (3:45)
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 57% of 35 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.4/10.[3] Metacritic gave the film a score of 27 based on 9 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[4]
Roger Ebert gave the film ½ out of four stars, calling it "listless, leisurely and unspirited".[5]
The film grossed $35.7 million in the United States, becoming the 32nd highest-grossing film of 1987.[2]
Home media
A bare-bones DVD edition of Summer School was released by Paramount Home Entertainment in 2004. This was followed by a special edition DVD, known as the "Life's a Beach Edition", which was released on May 22, 2007.[6]
Remake
Along with the special edition DVD release commemorating the twentieth anniversary of Summer School, many of the original cast were present for a reunion party. During an audience Q&A, Dean Cameron suggested that he would be open to a sequel or possibly even a remake of the original. When asked who he would cast as Chainsaw, he suggested Shia LaBeouf or Zach Braff.
In early 2012, Adam Sandler's production company Happy Madison Productions signed on for a remake.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d "Summer School (1987)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
- ^ a b Box Office Mojo (Summer School)
- ^ "Summer School (1987)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
- ^ "Summer School Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (1987-07-22). "Summer School". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
- ^ Summer School (US - DVD R1) in News > Releases at DVDActive
- ^ Summer School Blu-ray (US - DVD R1 at Blu-Ray.com)
- ^ Kit, Borys (2 April 2012). "Adam Sandler's Happy Madison to Produce 'Summer School' Remake (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 April 2012.