Combat High (1986)

Maxwell and Perry are forced in Military School after they've gone too far.

Director:

Neal Israel

Writer:

Paul W. Shapiro

Stars:

Keith Gordon, Wallace Langham, George Clooney

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Keith Gordon	...	Max Mendelsson
Wallace Langham	...	Perry Barnett (as Wally Ward)
George Clooney	...	Maj. Biff Woods
Dana Hill	...	Sgt. Andrea Pritchett
Elya Baskin	...	Interpreter
Tina Caspary	...	Mary Beth
Danny Nucci	...	Jai
Kevin Haley	...	Kevin
Jesse Welles	...	Mrs. Mendelsson
Robert Culp	...	General Edward 'Ed' Woods
Jamie Farr	...	Col. Frierick
Sherman Hemsley	...	Judge Daley
Bernie Kopell	...	Mr. Mendelsson
Richard Moll	...	Col. Felix Long Sr.
Marc Price	...	Felix Long, Jr.

Storyline

"Police Academy"-style comedy set in a military school. Two errant high-school students are ordered by a judge to spend a year at a prestigious military academy, where one of the cadets finds out who is responsible for a spate of midnight thefts.

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Plot Keywords:

school | military school | cadet | theft | russian | 

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Taglines:

Making the world safe for laughter!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Combat Academy

Filming Locations:

Independence, Missouri, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Frank von Zerneck Films, Lynch/Biller Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

George Clooney's film debut.

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Goofs

When Maxwell puts the sticker onto the back of the army truck, its almost straight. When it drives away, it's at an angle.

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Quotes

Maj. Biff Woods: What are you all doing in my room? And what's this forest is doing in my room?

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Soundtracks

Crazy For You
Performed by Lynn Carey

User Reviews

The Diet Version of Stripes (or Police Academy).

I used to watch this quite a bit during school holidays after I'd taped it, probably one quiet mid-week afternoon. The theme - Be Cruel To Your School - still sticks in my head decades later!

Released in the UK as 'Combat Academy', this follows 'Wacky' Max Mendelson (Keith Gordon in a poor man's Carey Mahoney) and his socially awkward pal (especially around girls) Perry Bennett played by Wally Ward. When one 'crazy' prank too many sees them bounced out of school, into court and then into the arms of 'Combat Academy' (although It might have been easier if their absentee parents has packed them off themselves).

This is pretty much a moderate, family friendly clone of Police Academy or Stripes, with a few laughs, but nowhere near the raucous, caustic, adult humour. You could set your watch on its predictability, but George Clooney pops up in his debut role, and Dana Hill is a hard bitten squad leader with a soft centre.

Wouldn't go out of my way, but catch it one afternoon like I did all those years ago.

PS. Strange to relate but I did actually know a chap called Max Perry - God Rest his soul.