Johnny Be Good (1988)

Director:

Bud S. Smith

Writers:

Steve Zacharias (written by) &
Jeff Buhai (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

25 March 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Sport

Tagline:

Every college in the country wants Johnny. 'Cause when he's good he's very very good. And when he's bad he's better.

Plot:

It's recruiting time and despite being short and scrawny, Johnny Walker is America's hottest young football prospect...

Plot Keywords:

Football | American Football | Reference To John Wayne | Reference To Liberace | Future

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Anthony Michael Hall	...	Johnny Walker
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Leo Wiggins
Paul Gleason	...	Wayne Hisler
Uma Thurman	...	Georgia Elkans
Steve James	...	Coach Sanders
Seymour Cassel	...	Wallace Gibson
Michael Greene	...	Tex Wade
Marshall Bell	...	Chief Elkans
Deborah May	...	Mrs. Walker
Michael Alldredge	...	Vinny Kroll
Jennifer Tilly	...	Connie Hisler
Jon Stafford	...	Bad Breath
Peter Koch	...	Pete Andropolous
Howard Cosell	...	Himself
Jim McMahon	...	Himself
George Hall	...	Grandpa Walker
Lucianne Buchanan	...	Lawanda Wade
Tony Frank	...	Joe Bob
Tim Rossovich	...	Gas Attendant
Robert Downey Sr.	...	NCAA Investigator
David Denny	...	Benny Figg
Chris Dunn	...	Flick Weaber
John Deluna	...	Jose Popupu
Lawrence Wolf	...	Recruiter Larry (as Larry Wolf)
Michael Colyar	...	Recruiter Mike
Lee Ritchey	...	Recruiter Lee
Linwood Walker	...	Recruiter Linwood (as Linwood Phillip Walker)
Ted Dawson	...	TV Reporter
Adam Faraizl	...	Randy Walker
Megan Morris	...	Raylene Walker
Jack Gould	...	Priest
Dennis Letts	...	Army General
Craig Tonelson	...	Pete Provolone
John Cunningham	...	Substitute (as John F. Cunningham)
Denise Thorsen	...	Eunice Elkans
Hayley Ladner	...	Juicy Dorfman
Holly Harrington	...	Cheerleader #2
Philisha Sanders	...	Cheerleader #3
Traci-Ann Dutton	...	Girl at Motel
Karen Cecka	...	Girl at Motel
Barbara Cecka	...	Girl at Motel
John Hawkes	...	Pizza Boy #1
Scott Bate	...	Pizza Boy #2
Michael Lorre	...	Hare Krishna #1 (as Michael Petty)
Van Dykes	...	Hare Krishna #2
Thethia Hanson	...	Tupperware Lady #1
Clara Paul	...	Tupperware Lady #2
Harlan Jordan	...	Exterminator
Harvey Christiansen	...	Bait Shop Owner
Doris Hargrave	...	Woman at Piermont (as Doris V. Hargrave)
Gary G. DeLaune	...	Local TV Reporter
Catherine Alexander	...	Waitress at BBQ
Thomas Patti	...	Chauffeur (as Thomas Anthony Patti)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Pankow	...	Lou Landers (uncredited)

Directed by
Bud S. Smith		(as Bud Smith)

Writing credits
Steve Zacharias		(written by) &
Jeff Buhai		(written by) &
David Obst		(written by)

Produced by
Jeff Buhai	....	executive producer
Jeffrey Chernov	....	co-producer
Adam Fields	....	producer
David Obst	....	executive producer
Karen Penhale	....	associate producer
Steve Zacharias	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Jay Ferguson

Cinematography by
Robert D. Yeoman

Film Editing by
M. Scott Smith		(as Scott Smith)

Casting by
Gary M. Zuckerbrod

Production Design by
Gregg Fonseca

Art Direction by
Sharon Seymour

Set Decoration by
Dorree Cooper

Costume Design by
Susie DeSanto

Makeup Department
Leslie Ann Anderson	....	key hair stylist (as Leslie Anne Anderson)
Devora Fischa	....	makeup artist (as Devorah Fischa)
Steven Smith	....	hair stylist
Michelle Vittone	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Jeffrey Chernov	....	unit production manager
Sjon Ueckert	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Paul Moen	....	first assistant director
Victoria E. Rhodes	....	second assistant director (as Vicki Rhodes)

Art Department
Kenneth Angell	....	assistant scenic artist: Texas
Jonathan Ashby	....	carpenter: Texas
Carmen Avila	....	art department coordinator: Texas
Asahel Cooper	....	swing gang
Lisa Devo	....	property assistant: Texas (as Lisa Debo)
Lyle Ehlers	....	carpenter: Texas
Alida G. Frattorola	....	scenic artist
John Frick	....	on-set dresser (as Jon A. Frick)
Jeff Hammond	....	swing gang
Thomas C. James	....	construction coordinator (as Tom James)
Daniel Lopez	....	carpenter: Texas
Lisa Lopez	....	property assistant: Texas
Kevin Marroquin	....	draft person: Texas
Maggie Martin	....	assistant property master
Douglas McDonald	....	property master
Daniel Miller	....	sculptor: Texas
Leo Murphy	....	lead man
Vivienne Radkoff	....	art department coordinator
Denise P. Robinson	....	on-set dresser
Elizabeth Rowland	....	painter: Texas
Craig Steward	....	painter: Texas
Karen Steward	....	draft person: Texas
Alphonso Torres Jr.	....	carpenter: Texas
Claude Viator	....	carpenter: Texas

Sound Department
David Brink	....	boom operator
Craig Busch	....	cable person
Jeff Bushelman	....	sound editor (as Jeffrey Bushelman)
Stephen Bushelman	....	sound editor (as Steve Bushelman)
Craig Clark	....	sound editor
Mike Dobie	....	supervising sound editor
Patty Dobie	....	assistant sound editor
J. Paul Huntsman	....	supervising adr editor (as Paul Huntsman)
Gregg Landaker	....	sound re-recording mixer
Steve Maslow	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert Nichols II	....	sound recordist
Kim Nolan	....	assistant sound editor (as Kimberly Nolan)
Luigi Phonica	....	sound mixer
Gary Ritchie	....	sound recordist
Jill Smith	....	apprentice sound editor

Special Effects by
Jon G. Belyeu	....	special effects coordinator

Stunts
Michael Barefoot	....	stunts
Jamie S. Bunch	....	stunts (as Jamie Sue Bunch)
Tim Butler	....	stunts
Doug Coleman	....	stunts (as Douglas Coleman)
Frank Ferrara	....	stunts
Randy Fife	....	stunts
Dale Graves	....	stunts
Dennis Hill	....	stunts
George Hill	....	stunts
Kyle Johnson	....	stunts
Bonnie McPherson	....	stunts
James Pate	....	stunts
Steve Pate	....	stunts
Jackie Resch	....	stunts
Pam Rubin	....	stunts
Tim Short	....	stunts
John Shults	....	stunts
Russell Towery	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Thomas Alcala	....	gaffer (as Tommy Alcala)
Richard Barlow	....	electrician: Texas
Curtis Bingham	....	best boy
John Boccaccio	....	first assistant camera (as John Bocaccio)
Richard J. Cartwright	....	still photographer (as Richard Cartwright)
Larry Langley	....	grip: Texas
Bob Leitelt	....	grip: Texas (as Robert Leitelt)
Greg Lomas	....	electrician: Texas (as Gregory Lomas)
Willie Mann	....	best boy grip
Bernie Miles	....	electrician: Texas
Mike Moad	....	dolly grip
Howard Neef	....	camera operator: NFL
Richard Osborn Jr.	....	second assistant camera (as Rick Osborn)
Les Percy	....	key grip
Mitch Reneau	....	electrician: Texas
Robert B. Reynolds	....	electrician: Texas (as Robert Reynolds)
Timmy D. Short	....	electrician: Texas
Phil Tucket	....	camera operator: NFL
William Velten	....	electrician: Texas
Gregory Wardell	....	electrician: Texas

Casting Department
Liz Keigley	....	location casting
Sari E. Keigley	....	casting assistant: Texas (as Sari Keigley)
Shari Rhodes	....	location casting
Stacey Rhodes	....	casting assistant: Texas (as Stacy Resch)
Sherry Sims	....	casting assistant: Texas
Rosemary Welden	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Rosalie Blagaigh	....	wardrobe assistant: Texas
Rachel De La Rosa	....	wardrobe assistant: Texas
Donna Jones	....	seamstress: Texas
Taneia Lednicky	....	costumer
Janet Lucas Lawler	....	key costumer (as Janet Lawler)
Dundee Murray	....	wardrobe assistant: Texas
Ann Patrice	....	costume shop foreperson: Texas
Eileen Sieff Stroup	....	assistant costume designer (as Eileen Sieff)
Nancy Walker	....	seamstress: Texas
Chris Wrightself	....	seamstress: Texas

Editorial Department
Richard Alderete	....	assistant editor
Donah Bassett	....	negative cutter
Seth Flaum	....	additional film editor
Karen Gebura	....	assistant editor
Bob Hagans	....	color timer
Phil Hetos	....	color timer
Jere Huggins	....	additional film editor
Craig Kitson	....	apprentice film editor
Greg Moring	....	apprentice editor: Texas
Michael Mulconery	....	assistant editor
Robin Rosenthal	....	apprentice film editor
Charles Simmons	....	additional film editor

Music Department
Steve Goldman	....	production music supervisor
Marsha Loeb	....	assistant music supervisor
Dick Rudolph	....	music supervisor
Scott Smith	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Jerry McKnight	....	transportation coordinator
Ronald L. Paschall	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Cathy Adams	....	production assistant: Texas
Beth Brown	....	production assistant: Texas
Linda Brumfield	....	script secretary
Steve Buhai	....	production assistant (as Steven Buhai)
Lisa Cunningham	....	secretary: Bud Smith
Richard Davis Jr.	....	location manager (as Richard Davis)
Anne Dunivan	....	tutor: Texas
Anne Dunivan	....	welfare worker: Texas
Philip Elins	....	production assistant (as Phil Elins)
Loren Ellis	....	secretary: Adam Fields
Peter Emch	....	production assistant: Texas
Pablo Ferro	....	title designer
Ron Fitts	....	craft service
Douglas Fletcher	....	production assistant: Texas
Mary Galindo	....	production assistant: Texas
David Garonzik	....	production assistant
Julie Ann Glotfelty	....	tutor: Texas
Julie Ann Glotfelty	....	welfare worker: Texas
Gus Gonzales	....	first aid
Ralph Harris	....	technical advisor: football
Chere Hickock	....	animal trainer
Andrew Hilford	....	production assistant
Liz Hollingsworth	....	location assistant: Texas
John Johns	....	video tape recorder operator: Texas (as John Johnns)
Lindsey Kamm	....	secretary: Adam Fields
Kathleen Kirk	....	tutor: Texas
Kathleen Kirk	....	welfare worker: Texas
Marc Kunis	....	assistant auditor (as Mark Kunis)
Susan Malerstein	....	script supervisor
Carl Mazzocone	....	special projects
Whitney J. Miller	....	production auditor (as W. Miller)
Robyn Moskow	....	production assistant
Nancy Neugebauer	....	tutor: Texas
Nancy Neugebauer	....	welfare worker: Texas
Thomas Patti	....	trainer: Mr. Hall (as Thomas Anthony Patti)
Fredell Pogodin	....	unit publicist
Stuart Posner	....	assistant: Adam Fields
Douglas A. Raine	....	production associate (as Douglas Raine)
Robin Rosenthal	....	production secretary
Marianne Sawyer	....	location assistant: Texas
Jim Schaeffer	....	assistant auditor
Adam Drey Smith	....	assistant: Bud Smith
Robie Snow	....	production assistant: Texas
Ray Sonnamaker	....	video tape recorder operator: Texas
Ray Ybarbo	....	police coordinator: Texas

Production Companies

• Orion Pictures Corporation

Distributors

• Globo Vídeo (Brazil) (video)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (USA) (video)
• Orion Pictures Corporation

Other Companies

• Benson Motor Company  picture cars
• Cinema Research  titles and opticals
• Sportsrobe  costumes

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:15 | Iceland:12 | New Zealand:M | Finland:K-14 | USA:PG-13 (theatrical version) | USA:R (video rating) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Georgetown, Texas, USA

Company:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Playing on the drive-in screen is non other than a scene from Putney Swope (1969) which was both written and directed by Robert Downey Sr..

Quotes:

Georgia Elkans: Well. Since you're not going to speak, you WILL rub my feet.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Bride of the Monster (#5.23)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

Skintight

Not that bad

Not the best movie I've ever seen but a good coming of age comedy. Repeat comedy. Some people might not like this movie but I thought it was good. If you like movies in general and can deal or like the 1980's and early 1990's era movies you'll enjoy this.

If you like the Breakfast Club or any of the Brat Pack era movies you'll like this. It also has some good football scenes but only a few short ones so those that hate football can manage through them.

Basically this movie is about college recruiting of a star high school football quarterback. He struggles with the moral question of does he go to the flashy money schools or the one where he might get an education. In the mean time his family, coach and friends all fall victim to college recruiters.

Not a good movie for young children due to sexual overtones, drinking, etc. Men and women should both enjoy this movie.

My favorite scene is early in the movie with Johnny in his room playing the drums with the TV and stereo going. I could really relate to this scene from my high school years. I measure movies by the question of, would I be disappointed if I had paid $10 to see it at the movie theater. This one exceeds the grade. Enjoy.