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Rock 'n' Roll High School

  • 19791979
  • PGPG
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
A group of rock-music-loving students, with the help of the Ramones, take over their school to combat its newly installed oppressive administration.
Play trailer2:15
11 Videos
74 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Music

Ramones fanatic and delinquent Riff Randell battles it out with the strict new principal of Vince Lombardi High School, Miss Togar, with help from the Ramones.Ramones fanatic and delinquent Riff Randell battles it out with the strict new principal of Vince Lombardi High School, Miss Togar, with help from the Ramones.Ramones fanatic and delinquent Riff Randell battles it out with the strict new principal of Vince Lombardi High School, Miss Togar, with help from the Ramones.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Allan Arkush
    • Joe Dante(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Richard Whitley(screenplay by)
    • Russ Dvonch(screenplay by)
    • Joseph McBride(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • P.J. Soles
    • Vincent Van Patten
    • Clint Howard
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Allan Arkush
    • Joe Dante(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Richard Whitley(screenplay by)
    • Russ Dvonch(screenplay by)
    • Joseph McBride(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • P.J. Soles
    • Vincent Van Patten
    • Clint Howard
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 95User reviews
    • 75Critic reviews
    • 70Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Videos11

    Rock 'n' Roll High School - Trailer
    Trailer 2:15
    Rock 'n' Roll High School - Trailer
    Rock n Roll High School
    Clip 2:17
    Rock n Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Clip 1:06
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Clip 0:35
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Clip 0:47
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Clip 0:52
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Clip 0:37
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Clip 0:56
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Clip 0:59
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Clip 1:04
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 1
    Video 29:05
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 1

    Photos74

    P.J. Soles with The Ramones in "Rock 'n' Roll High School"
    Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    P.J. Soles in Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
    P.J. Soles in Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    P.J. Soles
    P.J. Soles
    • Riff Randellas Riff Randell
    Vincent Van Patten
    Vincent Van Patten
    • Tom Robertsas Tom Roberts
    Clint Howard
    Clint Howard
    • Eaglebaueras Eaglebauer
    Dey Young
    Dey Young
    • Kate Rambeauas Kate Rambeau
    Mary Woronov
    Mary Woronov
    • Miss Togaras Miss Togar
    Paul Bartel
    Paul Bartel
    • Mr. McGreeas Mr. McGree
    Dick Miller
    Dick Miller
    • Police Chiefas Police Chief
    Don Steele
    Don Steele
    • Screamin' Steve Stevensas Screamin' Steve Stevens
    Alix Elias
    Alix Elias
    • Coach Steroidas Coach Steroid
    Loren Lester
    Loren Lester
    • Fritz Hanselas Fritz Hansel
    Daniel Davies
    • Fritz Gretelas Fritz Gretel
    Lynn Farrell
    • Angel Dustas Angel Dust
    Herbie Braha
    Herbie Braha
    • Manageras Manager
    Grady Sutton
    Grady Sutton
    • School Board Presidentas School Board President
    Chris Somma
    Chris Somma
    • Shawnas Shawn
    Marla Rosenfield
    Marla Rosenfield
    • Cherylas Cheryl
    Barbara Ann Grimes
    • Cafeteria Ladyas Cafeteria Lady
    • (as Barbara Ann Walters)
    Terry Soda
    • Normaas Norma
    • Directors
      • Allan Arkush
      • Joe Dante(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Richard Whitley(screenplay by)
      • Russ Dvonch(screenplay by)
      • Joseph McBride(screenplay by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Vince Lombardi High School keeps losing principals to nervous breakdowns because of the students' love of rock 'n' roll and their disregard of education. The putative leader of the students is Riff Randell, who loves the music of the Ramones. A new principal, the rock-music-hating Miss Evelyn Togar, is brought in and promises to put an end to the music craze. When Miss Togar and a group of parents attempt to burn a pile of rock records, the students take over the high school, joined by the Ramones, who are made honorary students. When the police are summoned and demand that the students evacuate the building, they do so, which leads to an explosive finale. —Rick Gregory <rag.apa@email.apa.org>
    • teensploitation
    • psychotronic film
    • reference to vince lombardi
    • new principal
    • smoking in the school bathroom
    • 49 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Hey ho, Let's go!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Music
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally, Todd Rundgren was to star as the musical act, but both sides could not come to an agreement. Next, Cheap Trick was contacted, but a similar situation happened. After that, talks were conducted with Warner Bros. Records, where Allan Arkush had a connection, to decide on which band they should use in the film. The first suggestion was Devo, but Arkush decided that they had too much of their own concept. Another band considered for the movie was Van Halen, but Warner execs warned Arkush that they were raucous and would be difficult to handle. Finally, an exec name-dropped the Ramones, who recorded for Sire Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Records. Arkush, being a huge fan of the band, agreed. To this day, Rundgren regrets passing up the role he was offered.
    • Goofs
      When Tom calls Riff from his van, he mentions that he is listening to the "new Ramones album." The song "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" can be heard in the background. The problem is "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" is from the Ramones' first album "Ramones" (1976). Had Tom actually been listening to their newest album, he would have been listening to "Road to Ruin" (1978)...which does not include the song "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend".
    • Quotes

      Tom Roberts: The only thing I'll ever lay is a rug!

    • Alternate versions
      UK cinema and video versions were cut by 1 min 39 secs to remove all footage of cocaine and reefers. The cuts were fully restored for the 2002 Prism DVD.
    • Connections
      Edited into Ramones: Do You Wanna Dance? (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Alley Cat
      Written by Bent Fabricius-Bjerre
      Performed by Bent Fabricius-Bjerre (as Bent Fabric)

    User reviews95

    Review
    Top review
    Hey-ho! Let's go!
    Rock'n'Roll High School is arguably the freshest, fastest, funniest, most ROCK AND ROLL teen movies ever. If you love The Ramones you'll love this one! And hey, if you don't love The Ramones, you're already dead, so get outta here. Halloween's P.J. Soles really hits the spot as The Ramones number one fan Riff Randell, and Clint Howard will always be Eaglebauer to me. No suprise that b-grade legend Roger Corman had a hand in this, and as an added bonus Corman cronies Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel and the God-like Dick Miller round out the supporting cast. Great Ramones set and lots of other cool music featured (MC5, Devo, Eno, Todd and Eddie and the Hot Rods "Teenage Depression") puts this at the top of the Rock'n'Roll heap.

    Too cool for school!!
    helpful•19
    5
    • Infofreak
    • Jun 27, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 11, 1981 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • California Girls
    • Filming locations
      • El Segundo High School - 640 Main Street, El Segundo, California, USA
    • Production company
      • New World Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $300,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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