Police Academy (1984)

A group of good-hearted but incompetent misfits enter the police academy, but the instructors there are not going to put up with their pranks.

Director:

Hugh Wilson

Writers:

Neal Israel (screenplay), Pat Proft (screenplay),

Stars:

Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall, G.W. Bailey

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Guttenberg	...	Carey Mahoney
Kim Cattrall	...	Karen Thompson
G.W. Bailey	...	Lt. Harris (as G. W. Bailey)
Bubba Smith	...	Moses Hightower
Donovan Scott	...	Leslie Barbara
George Gaynes	...	Commandant Lassard
Andrew Rubin	...	George Martín
David Graf	...	Tackleberry
Leslie Easterbrook	...	Sgt. Callahan
Michael Winslow	...	Larvell Jones
Debralee Scott	...	Mrs. Fackler
Bruce Mahler	...	Doug Fackler
Ted Ross	...	Captain Reed
Scott Thomson	...	Chad Copeland
Brant von Hoffman	...	Kyle Blankes (as Brant Van Hoffman)

Storyline

New rules enforced by the Lady Mayoress mean that sex, weight, height and intelligence need no longer be a factor for joining the Police Force. This opens the floodgates for all and sundry to enter the Police Academy, much to the chagrin of the instructors. Not everyone is there through choice, though. Social misfit Mahoney has been forced to sign up as the only alternative to a jail sentence and it doesn't take long before he falls foul of the boorish Lieutenant Harris. But before long, Mahoney realises that he is enjoying being a police cadet and decides he wants to stay... while Harris decides he wants Mahoney out!

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Plot Keywords:

police | police academy | cadet | police officer | lieutenant | 

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Taglines:

When THESE cops hit the streets, even the bad guys die laughing!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 March 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Loca academia de policía

Filming Locations:

Simcoe Place, Simcoe Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$81,200,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ladd Company, The, Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to an interview in Entertainment Weekly, Tom Hanks, Michael Keaton and Judge Reinhold were considered for the role of Mahoney.

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Goofs

When Barbara hits Copeland with the tray in the cafeteria, the tray is already dented before it even hits him.

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Quotes

Lieutenant Thaddeus Harris: Well, well, well... I told you not to try me, boy. Stand up.
[Mahoney stands up]
Lieutenant Thaddeus Harris: Now, I want you two squad leaders to take Mr. Mahoney here, and run him until he throws up.
Cadet Kyle Blankes, Cadet Chad Copeland: Yes, sir.
Lieutenant Thaddeus Harris: Then, just after he throws up... run him some more.
Cadet Kyle Blankes, Cadet Chad Copeland: Yes, sir.
Lieutenant Thaddeus Harris: You are going to learn, Mahoney, that nobody - *nobody* - screws with me.

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Connections

Referenced in Castle: Knockdown (2011)

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Soundtracks

"CRAZY CHRIS"
Performed by Dave Brubeck
Courtesy of Fantasy Records

User Reviews

Put your mind in neutral and be entertained!

This is a great movie for relaxing after a hard day at work. It's sheer escapism and good-humoured fun that only requires the watcher to put their mind in neutral, rest their feet, and not think too much.

A lot of the gags are not very original; we've seen most of them before in some other form. But the basic premise of a Police Academy full of misfits provides a novel context.

I've only seen this first movie of the series and don't really have plans to see any of the others. Can't believe they've made ssssssssooooo many sequels.

Too much Police Academy could certainly wear a bit thin, but first time around it's sheer good fun.