Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

At Adams College, a group of bullied outcasts and misfits resolve to fight back for their peace and self-respect.

Director:

Jeff Kanew

Writers:

Tim Metcalfe (story), Miguel Tejada-Flores (story)

Stars:

Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Timothy Busfield

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Carradine	...	Lewis
Anthony Edwards	...	Gilbert
Timothy Busfield	...	Poindexter
Andrew Cassese	...	Wormser
Curtis Armstrong	...	'Booger'
Larry B. Scott	...	Lamar
Brian Tochi	...	Takashi
Julia Montgomery	...	Betty Childs (as Julie Montgomery)
Michelle Meyrink	...	Judy
Ted McGinley	...	Stan Gable
Matt Salinger	...	Burke
Donald Gibb	...	Ogre
James Cromwell	...	Mr. Skolnick (as Jamie Cromwell)
David Wohl	...	Dean Ulich
John Goodman	...	Coach Harris

Storyline

When lovable nerds Gilbert and Lewis embark on their freshman year at Adams College, little do they realize the dangers that await them. They are beset by taunting from the jocks of Alpha Beta fraternity, which only worsens when the jocks accidentally burn down their house and toss the freshmen out of the freshmen dorm. To make matters more problematic, Lewis develops a crush on pretty Betty Childs, popular sorority sister and quarterback's girlfriend. Joined by the aptly named Booger and the violin-playing Poindexter, the nerds soon realize they must form their own fraternity in self-defense. Soon the tables are turned as the nerds employ high-tech warfare against the jocks.... but can they really succeed and make a difference?

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Plot Keywords:

rape by deception | female pubic hair | shower | female frontal nudity | bare midriff | 

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Taglines:

They've been laughed at, picked on and put down. But now it's time for the odd to get even! Their time has come!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 August 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Revenge of the Nerds

Filming Locations:

Scottish Rite Temple, 160 S Scott Ave, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,513,090, 22 July 1984, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$40,900,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Interscope Communications, Zacharias-Buhai Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Because the script did not have much of a plot (as the interviewed actors and filmmakers have stated), many of the actors were allowed to ad-lib scenes. Timothy Busfield recalls that he ad-libbed Poindexter's painful scream when watching the video of the girls dorm. Robert Carradine remembered that in the scene where he "serviced" Betty in the funhouse, his line was originally "All jocks think about is sports. Ever since we're ten, all we nerds ever think about is sex." He did not like the line and dropped the "Ever since we're ten" part. Curtis Armstrong recalls that it was by pure chance that Booger and Takashi ended up bunked next to each other in the gym and they improvised the running gag of them playing cards and Armstrong's line "What the fuck is a frush?"

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Goofs

During the Lambda/Omega Mu song, when Lamar is singing, Poindexter can be seen "bumping" to the music (going up on their toes) out of time with the others. Possibly deliberate since he is shown to be uncoordinated throughout the film.

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Quotes

Lewis: [in line at the Kissing Booth at the Homecoming Carnival] Hi, Betty.
Betty Childs: A nerd? I'm not kissing a nerd.
Lewis: You have to. I paid my money.
Betty Childs: [Lewis tries to kiss Betty] It's time for my break.
Stan Gable: [Stan brings a short, fat, ugly woman, instead] Kiss this, nerd.
Betty Childs: I want to do it, Stan. All this kissing has made me horny.
Stan Gable: God, Betty, you're like a goat.

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Crazy Credits

DIRTBAGS......A Part of Growing Up

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Alternate Versions

The version of the film shown on Comedy Central cuts out a good chunk of the "roll call" scene, including the "why do they call you Booger" dialogue and a basketball landing in the bunk area.

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Connections

Referenced in Eastbound & Down: Chapter 24 (2013)

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Soundtracks

Don't Talk
Performed by Ya-Ya

User Reviews

Revenge Of The Nerds: One of the best of it's kind

I was late to the party, though I grew up on films like this I never got round to watching the Revenge Of The Nerds movies but I'm really glad I finally did.

I expected Porkys (1981), I expected a semi-brainless raunchy 1980's comedy but what I found was SO much more.

With an immensely talented varied cast ranging from those who became huge stars like John Goodman to underrated talents like Curtis Armstrong this near perfectly crafted comedy benefits from an outstanding cast who make the film that much more special.

Side splittingly funny, well written, excellent 80's soundtrack, feel good vibe and without excess T&A the Revenge Of The Nerds ticks every box twice and entertained me in a way I never expected and haven't experienced from a comedy like this in recent memory.

I personally cannot wait to get around to the sequels and find out what our Nerd friends get up to next.