The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1995 film)
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is a 1995 American made-for-television science fiction comedy film directed by Peyton Reed (in his feature directorial debut) and written by Joseph L. McEveety and Ryan Rowe. The film is a remake of the 1969 film of the same name. It premiered on ABC as an ABC Family Movie on February 18, 1995. It is the second in a series of four remakes of Disney live-action films produced for broadcast on the network during the 1994–95 television season, the other three being The Shaggy Dog, Escape to Witch Mountain, and Freaky Friday.[1]
| The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes | |
|---|---|
_TV_release_poster.jpg.webp) Official advertisement poster | |
| Genre | |
| Based on | The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes by Joseph L. McEveety |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Peyton Reed |
| Starring | Kirk Cameron |
| Music by | Philip Giffin |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Joseph B. Wallenstein |
| Production location | Los Angeles |
| Cinematography | Russ Alsobrook |
| Editor | Jeff Gourson |
| Running time | 87 minutes |
| Production company | Walt Disney Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Picture format | Color |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | February 18, 1995 |
The film stars Kirk Cameron in the lead role of Dexter Riley, a boy who becomes an instant genius, wired directly into the Internet. The film also co-stars Larry Miller and Dean Jones plays the role of an evil dean from a competing school.[2]
Cast
- Kirk Cameron as Dexter Riley
- Larry Miller as Dean Al Valentine
- Jason Bernard as Professor Miles Quigley
- Andrew Woodworth as Will Rafferty
- Anne Marie Tremko as Sarah Matthews
- Mathew McCurley as Norwood Gill
- Jeff Maynard as Gozin
- Charles Lane as Regent Yarborough
- Paul Dooley as Senator Thatch
- Dan Castellaneta as Alan Winsdale
- Dean Jones as Dean Webster Carlson
Cast as listed in end credits
- Christin Hinojosa as Penelope
- Eric Schaeffer as Rich Prentiss
- Jeff Garlin as Agent Reese
- Eddie Deezen as Agent Tucker
- Norris Young as Rathouser #7
- John Wesley as Dr. Freeman
- Sean Gavigan as Prof. Knowlton
- Janet Rotblatt as Prof. Goldstein
- Adrian Ricard as Mrs. Weaver
- Joe Minjares as Brazilian
- Iqbal Theba as Sri Lankan
- Darshanie Bruite as Princess Ahmiri
- John Petlock as Maitre'D
- Paul Barselou as Regent Mears
- Frank Bausmith as Gent
- Renee Ridgeley as Mother
- Josh Wolford as Boy
- Lelia Goldoni as Hale Club Woman
- Jeffrey Lampert as Stage Manager
- Peyton Reed as Policeman
- Uncredited
- Julia Sweeney (television reporter)
Reception
Variety gave the film a moderately positive review, calling it an "utterly silly yarn" that "lacks the zaniness of the original", and complimented Larry Miller's performance.[3] People gave it a B+ rating and called it a "fun, facile remake" with a good cast.[4]
References
- Barbara De Witt, "For New Role, Cameron Puts Shoes On", Los Angeles Daily News, February 7, 1995 – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) .
- Susan King, "Retro: Mr. Jones: No Longer Mr. Nice Guy", Los Angeles Times, February 12, 1995.
- John P. McCarthy, "Review: 'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes'", Variety, February 15, 1995.
- David Hiltbrand, "Picks and Pans Review: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes", People, February 20, 1995.