Back to School (1986)
Reference View | Change View
- PG-13
- 1h 36min
- Comedy, Romance
- 13 Jun 1986 (USA)
- Movie
To help his discouraged son get through college, a funloving and obnoxious rich businessman decides to enter the school as a student himself.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 1 win & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Rodney Dangerfield | ... |
Thornton Melon
|
|
| Sally Kellerman | ... |
Diane
|
|
| Burt Young | ... |
Lou
|
|
| Keith Gordon | ... |
Jason Melon
|
|
| Robert Downey Jr. | ... |
Derek
|
|
| Paxton Whitehead | ... |
Philip Barbay
|
|
| Terry Farrell | ... |
Valerie
|
|
| M. Emmet Walsh | ... |
Coach Turnbull
|
|
| Adrienne Barbeau | ... |
Vanessa
|
|
| William Zabka | ... |
Chas
|
|
| Ned Beatty | ... |
Dean Martin
|
|
| Severn Darden | ... |
Dr. Barazini
|
|
| Sam Kinison | ... |
Professor Terguson
|
|
| Robert Picardo | ... |
Giorgio
|
|
| Kurt Vonnegut Jr. | ... |
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
|
|
| Edie McClurg | ... |
Marge Sweetwater
|
|
| Sarah Abrell | ... |
Sorority Girl
|
|
 |
Dana Allison | ... |
Young Woman
|
|
|
Boris Aplon | ... |
Tony Meloni
|
|
|
Nora Boland | ... |
Agnes
|
| Kimberlin Brown | ... |
Girl in Dorm Hallway
|
|
|
|
Lisa Denton | ... |
Lisa
|
|
|
Bob Drew | ... |
Contractor
|
|
|
Holly Hayes | ... |
Girl in the Crowd
|
| Jason Hervey | ... |
Young Thornton
|
|
| Leslie Scarborough | ... |
Coed #1
(as Leslie Huntly)
|
|
|
|
James Ingersoll | ... |
Judge
|
| Michael McGrady | ... |
Player #1
|
|
|
|
Santos Morales | ... |
Bartender
|
|
|
Beth Peters | ... |
Mrs. Stuyvesant
|
|
|
Phil Rubenstein | ... |
Executive #1
|
| Timothy Stack | ... |
Trendy Man
|
|
| Steve Sweeney | ... |
Security Guard
|
|
|
|
Stacey Toten | ... |
Hot Tub Girl
|
|
|
John William Young | ... |
Executive #2
(as John Young)
|
|
|
Brad Zutaut | ... |
Petey
|
|
|
Josh Saylor | ... |
Student in Diane's Class
|
|
|
William Grauer | ... |
Drunken Student
|
|
|
Kristen Aldrich | ... |
Girl in Diane's Class
|
| Becky LeBeau | ... |
Hot Tub Girl
(as Beck LeBeau)
|
|
|
|
Tricia Hill | ... |
Lisa's Friend
|
|
|
Jill D. Merin | ... |
Girl at Dorm Party
|
|
|
John William James | ... |
Man in Stands
(as John James)
|
|
|
Eric Alver | ... |
Student at Fraternity Party
|
|
|
Theresa Lyons | ... |
Cashier
|
|
|
Dallas Winkler | ... |
Rodettes
|
|
|
Lisa Montgomery | ... |
Rodettes
(as Lisa Le Cover)
|
|
|
Kimberlee Carlson | ... |
Rodettes
|
|
|
Curtis Stone | ... |
Twist & Shout Band Member
|
|
|
Michael Reid | ... |
Twist & Shout Band Member
|
| Cactus Moser | ... |
Twist & Shout Band Member
|
|
|
|
Brian O'Dougherty | ... |
Twist & Shout Band Member
|
|
|
Davey Faragher | ... |
Twist & Shout Band Member
|
|
|
Cliffie Stone | ... |
Twist & Shout Band Member
|
| Oingo Boingo | ... |
Oingo Boingo
|
|
| Danny Elfman | ... |
Oingo Boingo Band Member
|
|
|
|
Leon Schneiderman | ... |
Oingo Boingo Band Member
|
|
|
Steve Bartek | ... |
Oingo Boingo Band Member
(as Steven Bartek)
|
|
|
Dale Turner | ... |
Oingo Boingo Band Member
|
|
|
Johnny 'Vatos' Hernandez | ... |
Oingo Boingo Band Member
(as John Hernandez)
|
|
|
John Avila | ... |
Oingo Boingo Band Member
|
|
|
Sam Phipps | ... |
Oingo Boingo Band Member
|
|
|
Mike Bacich | ... |
Oingo Boingo Band Member
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
David Blatt | ... |
Graduating Student (uncredited)
|
| Jacqi Bowe | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
|
|
| Christine Bridges | ... |
Grad Student (uncredited)
|
|
| J. Cynthia Brooks | ... |
Girl in Jacuzzi (uncredited)
|
|
| Shannon K. Dunn | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
|
|
| Eric Freeman | ... |
Dive Team Member (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Lyle Gold | ... |
Dancer at Party (uncredited)
|
| Tanna Herr | ... |
Economics Student (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Shawn McBurney | ... |
Graduate Student (uncredited)
|
|
|
Johnny McCarthy | ... |
The Unknown (uncredited)
|
|
|
Ginger Miller | ... |
Girl in Pink Bikini with Champagne (uncredited)
|
| Randi Randolph | ... |
Hot Tub Girl #2 (uncredited)
|
|
| Derek Savage | ... |
Student (uncredited)
|
|
| David L. Snyder | ... |
David L. Snyder (uncredited)
|
|
| Tracy Walker | ... |
Student (uncredited)
|
|
| Jeffrey Weissman | ... |
Grad Student (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Scott Wilder | ... |
Football Player #2 (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| Alan Metter | ||
Written by
| Steven Kampmann | ... | (screenplay by) & |
| William Porter | ... | (screenplay by) (as Will Porter) and |
| PJ Torokvei | ... | (screenplay by) (as Peter Torokvei) & |
| Harold Ramis | ... | (screenplay by) |
| Rodney Dangerfield | ... | (story by) & |
| Greg Fields | ... | (story by) & |
| Dennis Snee | ... | (story by) |
Produced by
| Estelle Endler | ... | executive producer |
| Michael Endler | ... | executive producer |
| Harold Ramis | ... | executive producer |
| Chuck Russell | ... | producer (produced by) |
Music by
| Danny Elfman | ||
Cinematography by
| Thomas E. Ackerman | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| David Rawlins | ||
Editorial Department
| Richard Alderete | ... | apprentice editor |
| Bob Hagans | ... | color timer |
| Darren T. Holmes | ... | assistant editor (as Darren Holmes) |
Casting By
| Caro Jones | ||
| Melissa Skoff | ||
Production Design by
| David L. Snyder | ||
Set Decoration by
| Linda DeScenna | ||
Costume Design by
| Durinda Wood | ||
Makeup Department
| Hallie D'Amore | ... | head makeup artist |
| Donna Barrett Gilbert | ... | key hair stylist |
| Janna Phillips | ... | assistant makeup artist (as Janna Barbara Phillips) |
Production Management
| Chuck Russell | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Dustin Bernard | ... | second second assistant director |
| Robert P. Cohen | ... | first assistant director |
| Steve Cohen | ... | second assistant director |
| Frank Kostenko Jr. | ... | key set production assistant |
| Michael Looney | ... | second assistant director: second unit |
| David Rawlins | ... | second unit director |
| Jerry Sobul | ... | first assistant director: second unit (as Jerald B. Sobul) |
Art Department
| David Aaron | ... | assistant props |
| Jean Andrews | ... | standby painter |
| Stan Ascough | ... | property master: second unit (as Stanley Ascough) |
| Carlos Burbano | ... | greensman |
| Greg John Callas | ... | propmaker foreman (as Greg Callas) |
| Steve Callas | ... | propmaker foreman |
| Bruce J. Gfeller | ... | construction coordinator |
| Dick Girod | ... | paint foreman |
| Steven Curtis Husch | ... | set dresser (as Steve Husch) |
| Scott L. London | ... | assistant property master |
| Patrick J. Marchese | ... | set dresser |
| Tom McCown | ... | set dresser |
| Ric McElvin | ... | leadman |
| Margie Stone McShirley | ... | assistant art director (as Marjorie Stone McShirley) |
| David Q. Quick | ... | property master (as David Quick) |
| David Russell | ... | production illustrator |
| Edmund Silkaitis | ... | set designer |
| Mike Wells | ... | propmaker |
Sound Department
| Vanessa Theme Ament | ... | foley walker (as Vanessa Ament) |
| Gary C. Bourgeois | ... | sound re-recording mixer: dialogue (as Gary Bourgeois) |
| Neil Brody | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Neil Burrow | ... | sound editor |
| Chris Carpenter | ... | sound effects |
| Melinda Cooke | ... | apprentice sound editor |
| Gordon Davidson | ... | sound editor |
| Mark Gordon | ... | sound editor (as Mark S. Gordon) |
| Hilda Hodges | ... | foley walker |
| Fred Judkins | ... | supervising sound editor |
| James J. Klinger | ... | sound editor |
| James Matheny | ... | sound editor (as Jim Matheny) |
| Tom C. McCarthy | ... | supervising sound editor (as Tom McCarthy) |
| Bill Nelson | ... | sound mixer (as William Nelson) |
| Mychal Smith | ... | cable person |
| Jules Strasser | ... | boom operator |
| Don S. Walden | ... | sound editor |
| Burton Weinstein | ... | adr editor |
| Mike Wilson | ... | assistant sound editor |
Special Effects by
| Michael Lantieri | ... | special effects supervisor |
| Tim Moran | ... | assistant special effects (as Timothy J. Moran) |
Visual Effects by
| Rocco Gioffre | ... | matte artist |
Stunts
| Pete Antico | ... | stunts |
| Gregory J. Barnett | ... | stunts (as Gregory Barnett) |
| Todd Bryant | ... | stunts |
| Dana Burgess | ... | stunt diver: Tandem |
| Hal Burton | ... | stunts (as Harold Burton) |
| John Casino | ... | stunts |
| Justin De Rosa | ... | stunts |
| David Draves | ... | stunt diver |
| Tom Elliott | ... | stunts |
| Gary Epper | ... | stunts |
| Richard Epper | ... | stunts |
| Allan Graf | ... | stunts |
| Carlos A. Herzer | ... | stunts |
| Billy Hank Hooker | ... | stunts (as Bill Hooker) |
| Hugh Hooker | ... | stunts |
| Gary Hymes | ... | stunts |
| Marc Lindhout | ... | stunt diver (as Mark Lindout) |
| Jim Mantrell | ... | stunt diver: A.E. #1 |
| Anderson Martin | ... | stunts |
| Abbe Masel | ... | stunt diver: Tandem |
| Don Charles McGovern | ... | stunts |
| John Meier | ... | stunts (as John C. Meier) |
| William Oliver | ... | stunts |
| Noon Orsatti | ... | stunts |
| Mike Ostavich | ... | stunt diver |
| Manny Perry | ... | stunts (as Manuel Perry) |
| Chuck Picerni Jr. | ... | stunts (as Charles Picerni Jr.) |
| Steve Picerni | ... | stunts (as Steven Picerni) |
| Carol Rees | ... | stunts |
| Cyndi Lee Rice | ... | stunts |
| Michael Runyard | ... | stunts |
| Spike Silver | ... | stunts |
| Dan Walter | ... | stunt diver: A.E. #2 |
| Dean Wein | ... | stunts |
| Scott Wilder | ... | stunts |
| Dick Ziker | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Bruce Comtois | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Jamie Anderson | ... | camera operator: second unit (as James Anderson) |
| Eddie Barber | ... | "Barber Boom" Camera Boom Operator |
| Laurin Benson | ... | grip |
| Michael W. Blymyer | ... | lighting technician (as Michael W. Blymer) |
| Dan Delgado | ... | best boy electric |
| Frank Detone Jr. | ... | rigging grip |
| Jeff Goldenberg | ... | second assistant camera |
| Alan Gornick | ... | underwater camera operator: second unit (as Alan Gornick Jr.) / underwater cinematographer (as Allan Gornick Jr.) |
| Danny Jimenez | ... | dolly grip: second unit (as Daniel Jimenez) |
| Lee Jimenez | ... | grip |
| Manny Jimenez | ... | best boy grip (as Manuel Jimenez) |
| Douglas Knapp | ... | camera operator (as Douglas H. Knapp) |
| Michael Laws | ... | lighting technician (as Michael J. Laws) |
| Jeffrey S. Leader | ... | first assistant camera: second unit |
| To Lee | ... | second assistant camera |
| Michael Liakos | ... | grip: second unit |
| Frederick Moore | ... | director of photography: second unit |
| David L. Parrish | ... | first assistant camera (as David Parrish) |
| Mark Pearson | ... | grip |
| Ted Rhodes | ... | key grip |
| Michael G. Riba | ... | camera technician: second unit (as Michael Riba) |
| Kenny Rissien | ... | lighting technician: second unit (as Kenneth Rissien) |
| Joyce Rudolph | ... | still photographer |
| Ward Russell | ... | gaffer |
| Michael Salts | ... | grip |
| Jeff Stanman | ... | lighting technician |
| Dennis Wehr | ... | lighting technician |
| Fred White | ... | lighting technician: second unit (as Frederick White) |
| Kurt Young | ... | dolly grip |
Casting Department
| Karen Standard | ... | casting assistant |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Sandy Ampon | ... | costumer: women |
| Ellis Cohen | ... | costume supervisor |
| Janet Stout | ... | costumer: women |
Location Management
| Cass Martin | ... | location manager |
| Joseph M. O'Har | ... | location manager |
| Pam O'Har | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Bob Badami | ... | music editor |
| Dick Bernstein | ... | music editor |
| Neil Brody | ... | music editor |
| Lennie Niehaus | ... | instrumental score conductor |
| Linda Goldner Perry | ... | music supervisor |
| Steve Bartek | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Tom Boyd | ... | musician: oboe soloist (uncredited) |
| Malcolm McNab | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
| Bob Sanders | ... | musician: trombone (uncredited) |
| Tony Terran | ... | musician (uncredited) |
| James Thatcher | ... | musician: French horn (uncredited) |
| Louise Di Tullio | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Richard Wolf | ... | composer: theme music (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Mary Ann Newfield | ... | script supervisor: second unit |
| Judy Rosenthal | ... | script supervisor |
| Esther Vivante | ... | script supervisor |
| Michael Endler | ... | script revisions (uncredited) |
| George Gipe | ... | script revisions (uncredited) |
Transportation Department
| Michael McDuffee | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Richard Padgett | ... | transportation co-captain (as Dick Padgett) |
| Tim Roslan | ... | transportation co-captain (as Timothy Roslan) |
Additional Crew
| Julia Alexander | ... | technical advisor: diving |
| Alicia Anthony | ... | post-production auditor |
| Bonnie Belknap | ... | food stylist |
| Jean Claude Bonnardot | ... | production assistant |
| Doug Burdinski | ... | production controller (as Douglas Burdinski) |
| Joe Camp III | ... | production assistant (as Joe Camp) |
| Jean E. Chapman | ... | first aid (as Jean Chapman) |
| Dan Curry | ... | title designer: main title sequence |
| Rachel Friedman | ... | assistant to producer |
| Mark C. Grech | ... | craft service |
| Phyllis Levin | ... | first aid (as Phyllis A. Levin) |
| Kathy Lymberopoulos | ... | production associate |
| Kenneth Mancebo | ... | pre-production accountant |
| Mary McLaglen | ... | production coordinator |
| Brian McMillan | ... | head animal trainer |
| Alan Metter | ... | Himself |
| Katherine Moore | ... | publicity / unit publicist |
| Sharon Morov | ... | production secretary |
| Lori O'Konek | ... | production secretary: Madison |
| Regi Plummer | ... | production assistant |
| Melanie Roy | ... | production assistant |
| Margaret Scarpello | ... | production accountant |
| William Watts | ... | production assistant |
| Jack E. Herman | ... | extras set coordinator (uncredited) |
| Ken Rudolph | ... | title designer: main title sequence (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Estelle Endler | ... | dedicatee (as Estelle) |
| Brian Fielkow | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Art Hove | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Shelley Rubnitz | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Fredric Steinkamp | ... | the producers wish to thank (as Frederick Steinkamp) |
| Karl F. Steinkamp | ... | the producers wish to thank (as Karl Steinkamp) |
| William Steinkamp | ... | the producers wish to thank |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Orion Pictures (1986) (United States) (theatrical)
- Rank Film Distributors (1986) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Roadshow Films (1986) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1987) (France) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1987) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Constantin-Film (1987) (Austria) (theatrical)
- Nova Film (1987) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Met Film (1987) (Turkey) (theatrical)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Orion Pictures International (1987) (India) (theatrical) (as Orion Pictures International, Inc.) (Bombay)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2012) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Comedy Central (1997) (United States) (tv) (cable television)
- GoodTimes Home Video (1994) (United States) (VHS)
- HBO Video (1989) (United States) (VHS)
- HBO/Cannon Video (1986) (United States) (VHS)
- HGV Video Productions (1995) (Canada) (VHS)
- HanseSound (2020) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- HanseSound (2020) (Germany) (DVD)
- Home Box Office (HBO) (1987) (United States) (tv) (pay television)
- Lifetime (1996) (United States) (tv) (cable television)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (Australia) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
- Orion Home Video (1994) (United States) (VHS) (sold exclusively by)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (1987) (West Germany) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (1987) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1987) (Australia) (video)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Super Channel (1987) (Canada) (tv) (pay television)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2011) (Australia) (DVD)
- Varus Video (1990) (Russia) (VHS)
Special Effects
- Cannom Creations (prosthetics)
Other Companies
- MCA Records (soundtrack)
- Atmosphere Agency (extras casting)
- Animal Rentals Unlimited (animals provided by)
- Inter Video (video playback)
- Sunrise Films (negative cutting)
- Tony's Food Service (catering)
- University of Wisconsin, Madison (the producers wish to thank)
- Wisconsin Student Association (the producers wish to thank)
- Wisconsin Film Office (the producers wish to thank)
- City of Madison, Wisconsin (the producers wish to thank)
- Zenith Data Systems (the producers wish to thank)
- Laird International Studios (studio)
- Cinema Research (titles)
- Pacific Title (opticals)
- Panavision (camera equipment: lenses and Panaflex® camera)
- Keylite Production Services (production services and equipment)
- DeLuxe Laboratories (color)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Millionaire businessman Thornton Melon is upset when his son Jason announces that he is not sure about going to college. Thornton insists that college is the best thing he never had for himself, and to prove his point, he agrees to enroll in school along with his son. Thornton is a big hit on campus: always throwing the biggest parties, knowing all the right people, but is this the way to pass college?
Written by Murray Chapman |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Registration starts Friday, June 13, at theaters everywhere. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Official Sites | |
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Box Office
| Budget | $11,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $9,300,000, 15 Jun 1986 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Like his character, in his youth, Rodney Dangerfield was an acrobatic high diver in real life. See more » |
| Goofs | During the final dive sequence, Chas already has made one dive, but when he is about to make his second dive and gets cramps, his hair is perfectly dry and combed. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off/Back to School/The Manhattan Project (1986). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Back to School See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The end credits begin with the message: "For Estelle. Thanks so much." This is a dedication to Estelle Endler, Rodney Dangerfield's manager and one of the executive producers of the film, who died during production. See more » |
| Quotes |
Thornton Melon:
Bring us a pitcher of beer every seven minutes until somebody passes out. And then bring one every ten minutes. See more » |