It’s literally the middle of summer and some of us are already experiencing “back-to-school.” No, not summer school. The official start of the 26-27 school year is happening this week.
Rewind a few weeks ago and our very own Lisa Kay wrote a post about films her husband showed the kids this summer, which sparked some intense reminiscing from many of us about movies we remember watching with our dads as children. The movie that came to me first in that moment, was the 80’s comedy by Carl Reiner: Summer School. For whatever reason, this movie has just stuck with me ever since my dad showed it to me. Which I recall was when I was in high school. And I loved everything about this movie. Still do!
So in light of the fact the summer heat still blazing upon us, as well as the first day of school, this week I want to share some memorable scenes and quotes from this “must-be-watched” movie. At least ones available on the Internet without restriction.
To kick off the movie, director Carl Reiner makes an appropriate cameo.
The teacher has left the building! So now we’re in need of a summer school teacher. That’s where we turn to Mark Harmon aka. Mr. Shoop.
The premise of the movie being that a group of students have failed the literacy exam given at the end of the school year. In order to be eligible for a makeup exam, they need to complete a Remedial English class over the summer. Now without a proper teacher, the Vice Principal needs to quickly find someone available for the summer to take over. Mr. Shoop is just the gym teacher, but up for tenure. So in a reluctant manner, takes the gig.
The students turn out to be pretty incompetent and unmotivated at first. But upon an agreement between them and Mr. Shoop, they put in the work. In return, Mr. Shoop grants each of them a wish. Something they need for the summer.
In one scene, Denise had failed her last driving test and can use some private lessons. This hilarious display says it all…
At another point in the movie, Chainsaw and Dave get caught on the beach with a bottle of vodka. Coincidentally near Mr. Shoop’s beachfront house. When confronted by the officers, Mr. Shoop takes responsibility for the liquor, but resulting in his own arrest. So, he later takes the class on a field trip to the court house for his court appearance…
Early on in the movie, we learn of a student, Jerome Watkins, who claims he didn’t fail the first exam. That the computer made an error. Jerome leaves the classroom on the first day to use the restroom, but we don’t see him again until exam day…
He was in the bathroom for 6 weeks. “His zipper was stuck.” And turns out, he did the best on the makeup exam!
The 80s were an amazing time to be alive. Hit movies had hit soundtracks. And artists created music videos specifically for a movie. They featured the stars of the film; sometimes creating an alternate storyline. E.G. Daily’s “Mind Over Matter” played us through the final scene of the class taking their exams. This song has all the vibes of summer and success.
If you are one of the many lucky parents out there jumping in feet first this week (or even in the next few weeks), be sure to catch Summer School to help ease back into the school year. Available on now (and on sale) on Amazon Prime and for free with YouTube Premium!