Back to School

Plot

Self-made wealthy guy Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield) decides he needs a better education -- and also to spend some time away from his cheating new wife. Thornton joins his son, Jason (Keith Gordon) at college. Dad hopes to gain his son's respect (isn't that always Dangerfield's motivation?), while his son tries to fit in with his snobbish and brutish fellow students. English professor Diane Turner (Sally Kellerman) forms a strong bond with Thornton, encouraging both father and son to stick out their first year despite all odds. The finale involves some slapstick at the swimming pool diving board, and the obligatory commencement address delivered by Dangerfield, who proves that he can crack jokes without tugging at his tie. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Review

Rodney Dangerfield has made a nominal career of playing the disrespected everyman, but the one he creates for Back to School is probably both the wealthiest and most loveable. One of his fonder star vehicles, Back to School twists the standard college comedy format by inserting a wild-eyed adult into the equation, then making him adept both at fitting in with his wisecracking classmates and cutting corners like a seasoned pro. (When he's required to write a paper on Kurt Vonnegut, he hires the author himself to do it; on receiving a poor grade, in a moment that's pure Dangerfield, he tells Vonnegut he doesn't know squat about himself.) Sharing the writing credit with seven others, including Animal House veteran Harold Ramis, Dangerfield finally writes himself a balance between his typical zippy putdowns and the warmth audiences expect from their comic heroes. Hardcore fans might think he's selling out in favor of sentiment, but most others will find it charmingly unselfconscious. He even convinces that a refined professor like the one played by Sally Kellerman just might go for him. Keith Gordon is the perfect straight man for Dangerfield, rolling his eyes like a put-upon son, but also generating his half of a believable father-son chemistry. And for suspension of disbelief at its zaniest, just check out Dangerfield's inimitable dive during the climactic swim meet. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Cast

• Rodney Dangerfield - Thornton Melon
• Sally Kellerman - Diane
• Burt Young - Lou
• Keith Gordon - Jason Melon
• Robert Downey, Jr. - Derek
• M. Emmet Walsh - Coach Turnbull

Adrienne Barbeau - Vanessa; Paxton Whitehead - Philip Barbay; Terry Farrell - Valerie; William Zabka - Chas; Ned Beatty - Dean Martin; Severn Darden - Dr. Barazini; Sam Kinison - Prof. Terguson; Robert Picardo - Giorgio; Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. - Himself; Edie McClurg - Marge; Nora Boland - Agnes; Kimberlin Ann Brown - Girl in Dorm Hallway; Bob Drew - Bob/Contractor; Leslie Huntly - Coed; James Ingersoll - Judge; Becky Le Beau - Hot-Tub Girl; Michael McGrady - Player; Santos Morales - Bartender; Phil Rubenstein - 1st Executive; Tim Stack - Trendy Man; Steve Sweeney - Security Guard; Stacey Toten - Hot Tub Girl; John Young - 2nd Executive; Brad Zutaut - Petey; Danny Elfman - Oingo Boingo Band Member; Curtis Stone - 'Twist & Shout' Band; Sarah Abrell - Sorority Girl; Kristen Aldrich - Student in Diane's Class; Dana Allison - Young Woman; Eric Alver - Student at Fraternity Party; Boris Aplon - Tony Meloni; Kimberlee Carlson - Rodette; Lisa Denton - Lisa; William Grauer - Drunken Student; Holly Hayes - Girl in the Crowd; Jason Hervey - Young Thornton; Tricia Hill - Lisa's Friend; John William James - Man in Stands; Lisa LeCover - Rodette; Theresa Lyons - Cashier; Jill D. Merin - Girl at Dorm Party; Beth Peters - Mrs. Stuyvesant; Josh Saylor - Student in Diane's Class; Dallas Winker - Rodette

Credit

Dorinda Rice Wood - Costume Designer, Alan Metter - Director, David Rawlins - Editor, Harold Ramis - Executive Producer, Estelle Endler - Executive Producer, Michael Endler - Executive Producer, Danny Elfman - Composer (Music Score), Richard Wolf - Songwriter, Hallie D'Amore - Makeup, Marjorie Stone McShirley - Production Designer, David Snyder - Production Designer, Thomas E. Ackerman - Cinematographer, Harold Ramis - Producer, Chuck Russell - Producer, Estelle Endler - Producer, Edmund Silkaitis - Set Designer, Michael Lantieri - Special Effects, Dick Ziker - Stunts, Chuck Picerni, Jr. - Stunts, Pete Antico - Stunts, Rodney Dangerfield - Screen Story, Greg Fields - Screen Story, Dennis Snee - Screen Story, Rodney Dangerfield - Screenwriter, Vern Porter - Screenwriter, Will Aldis - Screenwriter, Michael Elias - Screenwriter, Steven Kampmann - Screenwriter, Harold Ramis - Screenwriter, Peter Torokvei - Screenwriter, Rich Eustis - Screenwriter, Will Porter - Screenwriter

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