Main Cast: John Cusack, Robert Loggia, Jerry Stiller, Wendy Gazelle, Monte Markham
Release Year: 1987
Country: US
Run Time: 93 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Dan Bartlett (John Cusack) is a lovestruck teen who misses his plane to the Caribbean in this engaging comedy. He was to join sweetheart Lori (Wendy Gazelle) and her father Bill (Monte Markham) in the tropical paradise. Determined to get to the island, his efforts are stalled by three natives with a penchant for marijuana. After he shakes the stoners, Dan is captured by the pirate Mac MacClaren (Robert Loggia). He escapes the scurvy buccaneer only to land in jail on bogus charges. Dan later follows his sweetheart to a yacht where her family is being hijacked by another crook. Veteran funnyman Jerry Stiller provides comedy relief. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
Paul Bates - Cleon; Terence Cooper - Capt. Andrew; Roger Cudney - Bartender; Keith David - Alphonso; Shelley Fabares - Buffy Cronenberg; Miguel Angel Fuentes - Policeman #1; Martin Lasalle - Prisoner; Andaluz Russell - Carmelina; Laurencio Cordero - Grandfather; Ben Stiller - Chris Honeywell; Frank Tidy - Britisher; Ted White - Tommy Ray; Ursaline Bryant-King - Roxanne; Dah-Ve Chodan - Ginger Cronenberg; Andrew Cochrane - Mike Harper; Roberto Sneider - Rico
Credit
Chris Dorrington - Art Director, Fernando Ramirez - Art Director, Amanda Mackey-Johnson - Casting, Taryn de Chellis - Costume Designer, Max Kleven - First Assistant Director, Steven Lisberger - Director, Mitchell Sinoway - Editor, Tom Mankiewicz - Executive Producer, Jerry Offsay - Executive Producer, Joseph Conlan - Composer (Music Score), Rareview - Composer (Music Score), William J. Creber - Production Designer, Frank Tidy - Cinematographer, Pierre David - Producer, Tom Mankiewicz - Producer, Theodore R. Parvin - Producer, Jerry Offsay - Producer, Manuel Topete - Sound/Sound Designer, Eric Batut - Sound/Sound Designer, Steven Lisberger - Screen Story, Steven Carabatsos - Screenwriter, Steven Lisberger - Screenwriter, David Korda - Executive in Charge of Production
Unlike many other 80s' films of this genre, there was never a soundtrack released. That is because only two songs appear in the film, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Nylons, and "Lessons in Love" by British group Level 42. The Level 42 song is uncredited.
This is the first time that father and son Jerry Stiller and Ben Stiller would appear in a film together.
The teacher in the movie, Mr. Kowalski, was played by real-life teacher Joseph E. Foster. He currently is a communications teacher at York County Community College in southern Maine.
