Summer School (1987)

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. Fortunately, his unconventional brand ... See full summary »

Director:

Carl Reiner

Writers:

Stuart Birnbaum (story), David Dashev (story),

Stars:

Mark Harmon, Kirstie Alley, Robin Thomas

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

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. Fortunately, his unconventional brand of teaching fun field trips begins to connect with them, and even inspires ardor in some.

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Plot Keywords:

summer | teacher | school | summer school | student | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Diversión en el colegio de verano

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Gross:

$35,658,098 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On Shoop's left hand, you can see that he has injured one of his fingers and it appears to have been smashed. This occurred when Mark Harmon had to actually put out the fire on the couch during the party scene that grew quickly out of control.

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Goofs

When Pam asks Freddy "French or Italian?" he says "French", but she grabs and starts shaking the Italian dressing.

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Quotes

Mrs. Gremp: How do you want your eggs? Fried, or scrambled?
Chainsaw: I don't know. What are eggs?

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Connections

Spoofs Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

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Soundtracks

"Brain Power"
Written by Michael Jay and Alan Roy Scott
Performed by Paul Engemann

User Reviews

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.