Private School (1983)

Director:

Noel Black

Writers:

Dan Greenburg (writer) &
Suzanne O'Malley (writer)

Release Date:

29 July 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

You won't believe what goes on and what comes off in ... Private School

Plot:

Christine (Phoebe Cates), a student at an exclusive all-girls private school, is in love with Jim, who attends an academy for boys nearby...

Plot Keywords:

Girls' School | Shower Scene | Thong | Girls' Boarding School | Towel Slip

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Phoebe Cates	...	Christine Ramsey
Betsy Russell	...	Jordan Leigh-Jenson
Matthew Modine	...	Jim Green
Michael Zorek	...	Bubba Beauregard
Fran Ryan	...	Miss Dutchbok
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Betsy
Ray Walston	...	Chauncey
Sylvia Kristel	...	Ms. Regina Copoletta
Jonathan Prince	...	Roy
Kari Lizer	...	Rita
Richard Stahl	...	Mr. Flugel
Julie Payne	...	Coach Whelan
Frank Aletter	...	Mr. Leigh-Jensen
Frances Bay	...	Birdie Fallmouth
Bill Wray	...	Bandleader

Also Known As:

Private School... for Girls (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | Singapore:(Banned) | Australia:M | South Korea:18 | USA:R

Company:

Unity Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: During the riding class, in one shot Jordan can be seen riding with a hat on, topless. In the next shot, the hat is gone and her hair is down.

Quotes:

Betsy: I'm gonna give Bubba another chance.
Christine Ramsey: After what he did?
Betsy: What the hell. If I'm gonna forgive Bubba you can forgive Jim. Compared to Bubba Jim's a saint.
Christine Ramsey: Compared to Bubba anybody's a saint.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Back to the Future: Making the Trilogy (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

Best Years Of Our Lives

The Citizen Kane of 80s sex comedies.

In a genre that gave us many enjoyable films, Private School may well be the best of the bunch. There is something truly irresistible about a film that sets out only to entertain its audience. There is no hidden agenda or deeper meaning or political motives here. The people who created this gem intended only to make us smile and show us some skin and make a little money in the process. Some days, isn't that all a guy really needs? It's about time this one came out on DVD! The film deals with the social interactions between girls from Cherryvale and the young men from the nearby Freemount Academy. Of course when I say "social interaction" I mean sex. Simply put, the guys are trying to either score with the ladies, or at least get a good Polaroid of them coming out of the shower. The film has a serious undercurrent in how it deals with the relationship between Christine Ramsey (Phoebe Cates) and Jim Green (Matthew Modine). They are trying to lose their virginity under the best possible circumstances, but there are of course complications and misunderstandings. Christine's next door neighbor, the lovely and talented Betsy Russell, is out to steal Jim for herself using methods that would certainly grab any young man's attention. The resulting action plays out in the most satisfactory of ways.

Private School scores on many fronts. The cast which contains many recognizable faces puts as much into their roles as they've done in any other films. The soundtrack featuring Phoebe Cates singing on two different tracks is much better than you would expect, as well. There is tons of random nudity so you will get your money worth in that department.

Curiously enough, there is no DVD commentary by any of the actors in this film. Wouldn't it be fun to hear what Matthew Modine would think today about this early role in his distinguished career? And Martin Mull may have been hiding behind a beard for his little three minute cameo, but the appearance was well-appreciated! He must have snuck this little bit part in between takes of Mr. Mom that year.

For those who may question the logic of the Hound giving all ten stars to this film: Heck, that scene with Betsy Russell topless on the horse was worth eight stars by itself!!! 10 of 10 stars.

The Hound.