Okay, let's rewind the tape. Picture this: it’s Friday night, the VCR is humming, and you’ve just slotted in a tape promising goofy laughs and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of that quintessential 80s heart. If that tape happened to be Summer School (1987), you were in for a treat. It wasn’t aiming for cinematic immortality, but boy, did it deliver on the fun, becoming a staple of cable reruns and video store 'Comedy' sections for years. It’s the kind of film that feels like a warm, slightly fuzzy memory itself, perfectly suited for the VHS Heaven archives.
At its core is Mark Harmon, fresh off being crowned People Magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive', taking a delightful detour into laid-back comedy. He plays Freddy Shoop, a gym teacher whose Hawaiian shirt collection is only rivaled by his desire to not be teaching remedial English over the summer. Forced into the job, he inherits a classroom of glorious misfits – the kind of archetypal yet lovable teens that only the 80s seemed to truly perfect. There’s the horror-obsessed gorehounds Dave (Gary Riley) and Chainsaw (Dean Cameron, in a star-making turn of goofy energy), the perpetually sleeping Larry (Ken Olandt), the pregnant Rhonda (Shawnee Smith, later of Saw fame!), the dyslexic Denise (Kelly Jo Minter), and a handful of others just trying to survive summer school.
### Slacking Towards Success
What makes Summer School endure isn't some groundbreaking plot, but its sheer, unadulterated charm, largely thanks to the direction of the legendary Carl Reiner. Yes, that Carl Reiner – comedy royalty, creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show, director of Steve Martin classics like The Jerk (1979). Bringing his seasoned comedic timing to a teen flick might seem surprising, but his touch elevates the material. He knows how to stage a gag, how to let the ensemble cast shine, and how to inject just enough heart without getting overly sentimental. It’s a lighter entry in his filmography, sure, but his craftsmanship is evident. The script, co-written by Jeff Franklin (who would strike gold creating Full House shortly after), provides a solid framework of relatable high school angst mixed with some truly memorable set pieces.
Harmon, initially reportedly hesitant about taking on a teen comedy lead after his dramatic run on St. Elsewhere, absolutely nails Shoop’s effortless cool turning into reluctant mentorship. He’s not trying too hard; he’s just… there, initially bribing the kids with field trips and promises of easy grades before genuinely starting to care. His easy chemistry with Kirstie Alley as Robin Bishop, the uptight history teacher next door, provides the film's romantic throughline. Alley, showcasing the sharp comedic timing that would later win her an Emmy for Cheers, is the perfect foil to Harmon’s slacker persona. Their dynamic feels earned, a classic opposites-attract setup handled with a light touch.
### Celebrating the Class Clowns
But let's be honest, the real stars are the kids. Each student gets their moment, from Dave and Chainsaw’s screening of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (complete with hilariously over-the-top, practical gore effects they created themselves – a mini-masterpiece of gross-out comedy reportedly crafted by creature effects maestro Rick Baker’s studio!) to Pam’s (Courtney Thorne-Smith, pre-Melrose Place) surfing escapades. These aren't just background players; they feel like a real, albeit eccentric, group. Remember the chaotic energy of that final exam sequence? Pure 80s movie gold. You can almost feel the desperation and the eventual, slightly unbelievable, triumph filtering through the static of an old CRT screen.
Filmed primarily around Los Angeles, the movie captures that specific Southern California vibe – sun-drenched exteriors and classrooms that feel instantly familiar. It wasn't a mega-budget blockbuster (reportedly made for around $10 million), but it found its audience, pulling in a respectable $35 million+ at the box office. Critics at the time were somewhat mixed, perhaps finding it a bit lightweight compared to the John Hughes oeuvre, but audiences connected with its breezy attitude and likable characters. It wasn’t trying to be The Breakfast Club (1985); it was content being the fun, slightly goofy cousin.
### Does It Still Make the Grade?
Watching Summer School today is like opening a time capsule. The fashion, the music (including the catchy theme song by E.G. Daily), the sheer lack of cynicism – it’s all wonderfully dated in the best possible way. There’s a certain innocence to its brand of chaos, a far cry from the slicker, often meaner teen comedies that would follow. It leans into absurdity without losing sight of its characters. The practical effects, especially the aforementioned gore gags, have that tangible, slightly messy quality that CGI often lacks. You know someone spent hours making that fake blood look just right.
It’s a film built on simple pleasures: Harmon’s charm, Alley’s wit, Reiner’s direction, and a classroom full of memorable weirdos. It doesn’t demand much from the viewer except a willingness to go along for the ride, maybe chuckle at the ridiculousness of teaching remedial English via beach trips and horror movie marathons. I distinctly remember renting this one multiple times from the local Video Spot – it was just reliable fun.
Rating: 7/10
Justification: Summer School earns a solid 7 for being a highly enjoyable, well-crafted 80s comedy comfort watch. It boasts winning performances from Harmon and Alley, a legendary director's light touch, and an unforgettable ensemble cast. While lightweight and predictable in places, its charm, humor, and genuine affection for its characters make it stand the test of time far better than many of its contemporaries. It perfectly captures a specific, sunnier vibe of the era.
Final Thought: Pop this one in when you need a reminder that sometimes, the best lessons are learned outside the classroom, preferably with a killer 80s soundtrack and zero actual studying involved. It's pure, unadulterated VHS-era escapism.