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Back to School

  • 1986
  • PG-13
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
38K
YOUR RATING
Back to School (1986)
To help his discouraged son get through college, a funloving and obnoxious rich businessman decides to enter the school as a student himself.
Play trailer1:37
1 Video
94 Photos
ComedyRomanceSport

To help his discouraged son get through college, a funloving and obnoxious rich businessman decides to enter the school as a student himself.To help his discouraged son get through college, a funloving and obnoxious rich businessman decides to enter the school as a student himself.To help his discouraged son get through college, a funloving and obnoxious rich businessman decides to enter the school as a student himself.

  • Director
    • Alan Metter
  • Writers
    • Steven Kampmann
    • William Porter
    • PJ Torokvei
  • Stars
    • Rodney Dangerfield
    • Sally Kellerman
    • Burt Young
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    38K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Alan Metter
    • Writers
      • Steven Kampmann
      • William Porter
      • PJ Torokvei
    • Stars
      • Rodney Dangerfield
      • Sally Kellerman
      • Burt Young
    • 121User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:37
    Official Trailer

    Photos94

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    Top cast80

    Edit
    Rodney Dangerfield
    Rodney Dangerfield
    • Thornton Melon
    Sally Kellerman
    Sally Kellerman
    • Diane
    Burt Young
    Burt Young
    • Lou
    Keith Gordon
    Keith Gordon
    • Jason Melon
    Robert Downey Jr.
    Robert Downey Jr.
    • Derek
    Paxton Whitehead
    Paxton Whitehead
    • Philip Barbay
    Terry Farrell
    Terry Farrell
    • Valerie
    M. Emmet Walsh
    M. Emmet Walsh
    • Coach Turnbull
    Adrienne Barbeau
    Adrienne Barbeau
    • Vanessa
    William Zabka
    William Zabka
    • Chas
    Ned Beatty
    Ned Beatty
    • Dean Martin
    Severn Darden
    Severn Darden
    • Dr. Barazini
    Sam Kinison
    Sam Kinison
    • Professor Terguson
    Robert Picardo
    Robert Picardo
    • Giorgio
    Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
    Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
    • Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
    Edie McClurg
    Edie McClurg
    • Marge Sweetwater
    Sarah Abrell
    Sarah Abrell
    • Sorority Girl
    Dana Allison
    • Young Woman
    • Director
      • Alan Metter
    • Writers
      • Steven Kampmann
      • William Porter
      • PJ Torokvei
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews121

    6.737.8K
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    Featured reviews

    8sveknu

    Typical 80's fun

    I don't think that Rodney Dangerfield is funny all the time, but in this comedy he delivers perfectly. He fits perfectly it the role of a rich, successful businessman who starts college to achieve a certificate, which he doesn't have. The way he does this in his own, relaxing and laid back-style is great and really funny. A very cool plot indeed, that's for sure. The movie is full of great fun and has many exciting moments in it, so I suggest that everyone check this out for themselves to experience that. The last scene on the diving board is especially great. Totally hilarious, and I laughed all the way through it.
    Shapster11

    How great would it be to have Rodney Dangerfield in your class!

    A funny post-Animal House college film with a pretty distinguished cast. In addition to Dangerfield, who is terrific as usual, we also get to see Sally Kellerman, Burt Young, Ned Beatty, and an introduction to the brilliance of Robert Downey Jr. who is unforgettable as Derek Lutz. Although the movie is silly, lacking any convincing realism or plot, it is nontheless wonderful fun...especially if you are a Dangerfield fan. His rendition of "Twist and Shout" is a classic. And the scene at registration where his chauffeur Lou, played by the redoubtable Young, is priceless when he holds up a sign by the limo with Bruce Springstein's name on it and all the students rush out to mob the car while Dangerfield, his son, his son's love interest, and Lutz have the pick of classes.

    Generally good viewing when you want a brainless, fun night.
    7utgard14

    "Why don't you call me sometime when you have no class?"

    Self-made millionaire Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield) enrolls in college to help his son (Keith Gordon), who's having trouble fitting in. Doesn't take long before Thornton is the big man on campus, which doesn't sit well with everybody. Very funny comedy that never gets old. The cast is wonderful. Rodney Dangerfield is hilarious and his one-liners come one after the other. His best starring role, for sure. Sam Kinison is a riot. Loved every scene he was in. A young Robert Downey, Jr. is also lots of fun. Not for those who overthink their movies. This is for people who like to have fun and laugh. They got Kurt Vonnegut to appear in this! How cool is that? An '80s classic you have to see.
    billybrown41

    good natured with a lot of laughs.

    I love Rodney Dangerfield. Always have. His one-liners, and all-around smartass attitude have made him a living legend and he never fails to crack me up. Back to School is a great example of what he can do and I never get tired of watching it. Keith Gordon is great as his son and Robert Downey Jr. is pretty hysterical as his best bud. The ever-reliable Burt Young is a lot of fun as Dangerfield's limo-driver/best friend and he does his duty at supplying the laughs.

    It's a shame that more people haven't seen this. I believe that it's one of Rodney's best. It's got a great premise, an outstanding cast, and the laughs are nonstop.
    the93man

    Rodney's Best Movie Ever

    Ever since i was four years old,this movie has been my favorite.Rodney Dangerfield stars as Thornton Melon,a self-made millionare who gets a second chance at college to be with his son who wants to quit cuz he can't get any friends or make the diving team.Throughout the film Rodney makes hilarious wise-cracks and metaphors as usual(a la"Caddyshack","Easy Money"),he also has a chemistry between him and Sally Kellerman,his teacher he falls in love with.The movie is full of silly,inspired,and ocassionally crude humor.Sam Kinison has a cameo as a former mental patient history teacher who blames his students on the Korean War.Very funny.A young Robert Downey(Jr.)stars as his Jason Melon's weirdo friend(with various hair-do's that are also funny)Derek Lutz,and Burt Young(famous for Pauly in the"Rocky"series)stars as Rodney's tough italian chaffaur Lou.And all these charecters are so funny,it makes this movie great.Back To School Rules,10 of 10.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Like his character, in his youth, Rodney Dangerfield was an acrobatic high diver in real life.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Thornton Melon: Bring us a pitcher of beer every seven minutes until somebody passes out. And then bring one every ten minutes.

    • 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.
    • Alternate versions
      Three scenes are cut from the Comedy Central airing - the "twist and shout" scene in the bar, the "phone conversation with Kurt Vonnegut after getting an F grade" scene, and one of the dives in the final competition.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Ferris Bueller's Day Off/Back to School/The Manhattan Project (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Back to School
      Written by Richard Wolf and Mark Leonard

      Produced by Gary Skardina and Linda Goldner Perry

      Performed by Jude Cole

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 13, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM Studios (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • De vuelta al colegio
    • Filming locations
      • University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
    • Production companies
      • Orion Pictures
      • Paper Clip Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $91,258,000
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,881,035
      • Jun 15, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $91,258,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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