Dexter Riley

Last updated
Dexter Riley
Dexter Riley - collection boxset artwork.jpg
Official home video release box set collection artwork.
Based onCharacters created by
Joseph L. McEveety
Starring
Release date
1969–1975
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$16,710,000
(total of three films)

The Dexter Riley film series consists of American science fiction-comedy films, centered around a college student played by Kurt Russell. [1] [2] The films, produced by The Walt Disney Company and taking place at the fictional Medfield College, follow the science class led by Professor Quigley, and their experiments, projects, and adventures. The college, under the direction of Dean Eugene Higgins (Joe Flynn) becomes involved in the nefarious plans of millionaire-turned-criminal, A. J. Arno (Cesar Romero). [3]

Contents

The film trilogy received mixed reviews, while its television film remake was poorly received. [4] The original trilogy has acquired a cult classic status. [5] In 1999 the Dexter Riley trilogy, along with a number of other Disney film series, were expanded as a franchise into the Walt Disney Parks attraction with elements included from each film. [6]

Films

TitleU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriter(s)Story byProducer
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes December 31, 1969 Robert Butler Joseph L. McEveetyBill Anderson
Now You See Him, Now You Don't July 12, 1972Joseph L. McEveetyRobert L. King Ron Miller
The Strongest Man in the World February 6, 1975 Vincent McEveety Joseph L. McEveety and Herman GrovesBill Anderson

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)

At Medfield College, a non-intellectual named Dexter Riley becomes brilliant overnight. Following an electrical accident that transfers a donated computer memory into his brain, he gains the ability to learn any knowledge instantly and perfectly. After Riley gains fame and attention via television appearances, the dean of a competing university decides to ruin his reputation. At the same time, A. J. Arno, a secret technological crime boss with an upstanding public persona, pursues the student and his school because the computer he donated-that is now integrated into Riley's DNA-holds the records of his nefarious acts. [7] [2]

Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972)

Dexter Riley is a science student at Medfield College who accidentally invents a liquid capable of rendering objects and people invisible. As Dexter and his friends Debbie and Richard begin exploring their recent discovery, the product gains the unwanted attention of corrupt businessman A. J. Arno. Recently released from prison, Arno seeks the formula for criminal means before the students can even announce their discovery. Arno and his henchman plan to use the invisibility spray to rob a bank. [8] [2]

The Strongest Man in the World (1975)

Dexter Riley, who is studying science at Medfield College, decides to create a formula that will make humans stronger. After several unsuccessful attempts, a laboratory mishap combines his formula with a vitamin-rich breakfast cereal. He and his classmates discover that eating it briefly provides superhuman levels of strength and endurance. The greedy college dean attempts to take advantage of the discovery, marketing the product to a cereal corporation. Competing cereal companies hire thugs, including A. J. Arno, to eliminate the new miracle product. [9] [10] [2]

Television

TitleU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwritersStory byProducer
Disney's The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes February 18, 1995 Peyton Reed Joseph L. McEveety and Ryan RoweJoseph L. McEveetyJoseph B. Wallenstein

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, a number of made-for-television remake films of classic Walt Disney Productions were produced and released as a part of The Magical World of Disney series. Among them was The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.

After a laboratory accident, the contents of a computer's encyclopedia is transferred biochemically into the brain of Dexter Riley, a less-than-average college student. After his newly acquired genius he appears on a trivia show, competing between various universities. After acing the show's quiz, and acquiring all the points, another university finds out about how he attained his skills and does everything to discredit Dexter. [11]

Principal cast and characters

CharacterFilmsTelevision
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Now You See Him, Now You Don't The Strongest Man in the World Disney's The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
Dexter Riley Kurt Russell Kirk Cameron
Dean
Eugene "E. J. Gene" Higgins
Joe Flynn  
A. J. Arno Cesar Romero  
Professor
Miles Quigley
William Schallert  William Schallert Jason Bernard
Richard Schuyler Michael McGreevey  
Debbie Dawson  Joyce Menges Ann Marshall  
Harriet Crumply  Eve Arden  
Kirkwood Krinkle  Phil Silvers  
Cookie / Chillie Richard Bakalyan  
Dean
Al Valentine
  Larry Miller
Dean
Webster Carlson
  Dean Jones
Norwood Gills Matthew McCurley

Additional crew and production details

FilmCrew/Detail
ComposerCinematographerEditorProduction
companies
Distributing
companies
Running time
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Robert F. BrunnerFrank V. Phillips Cotton Warburton Walt Disney Productions Buena Vista Distribution Company 1hr 31mins
Now You See Him, Now You Don't 1hr 28mins
The Strongest Man in the World Andrew Jackson1hr 32mins
Disney's
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
Philip GiffinRuss T. Alsobrook Jeff Gourson Walt Disney Television,
ZM Productions
American Broadcasting Company,
Buena Vista Television
1hr 27mins

Reception

Box office and financial performance

FilmBox office grossBox office rankingBudgetWorldwide
Total income
Ref.
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll time
North America
All time
worldwide
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes $5,500,000 [12] [13]
Now You See Him, Now You Don't $4,610,000 [14]
The Strongest Man in the World $6,600,000 [15]
Totals $16,710,000 [a]

Critical response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes50% (6 reviews) [16] 54 (4 reviews) [17]
Now You See Him, Now You Don't80% (5 reviews) [18]
The Strongest Man in the World [19] 63 (4 reviews) [20]
Disney's The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes [21]

Theme park attraction

In 1999, the theme of Journey into Imagination was changed and re-titled to include Figment. The ride features Dr. Nigel Channing, from Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!, who "hosts" an area known as the Imagination Institute. The story states that Channing's grandfather established the institute, while the area features references to Dean Higgins from the Dexter Riley films, as well as Wayne Szalinski from the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise, and Dr. Philip Brainard from Flubber . Walt Disney and Thomas Edison also make an appearance. [22] [6]

The Dexter Riley film series takes place at Medfield College. The college is used as a primary location in two other Disney film franchises: The Shaggy Dog and the Flubber film series. Collectively, the three separate film series take place within the same fictional universe. [23] [24] Additionally, the Merlin Jones film series take place at the in-universe sister-school, Midvale College, [25] while The World's Greatest Athlete is set at the related academic school of Merrivale College. [26]

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriter(s)Story byProducer(s)
The Shaggy Dog film series
The Shaggy Dog March 19, 1959 Charles Barton Lillie Hayward and Bill WalshWalt Disney and Bill Walsh
The Shaggy D.A. December 17, 1976Robert StevensonDon Tait Bill Anderson
The Return of the Shaggy Dog November 1, 1987 Stuart Gillard Paul Haggis and Diane WilkHarvey Marks
The Shaggy Dog March 10, 2006 Brian Robbins Cormac Wibberley and Marianne Wibberley
and Geoff Rodkey
and Jack Amiel and Michael Begler
David Hoberman and Tim Allen
Flubber film series
The Absent-Minded Professor March 16, 1961 Robert Stevenson Bill Walsh
Son of Flubber January 16, 1963Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi Walt Disney and Bill Walsh
Flubber November 26, 1997 Les Mayfield John Hughes John Hughes and Ricardo Mestres
Merlin Jones film series
The Missadventures of Merlin Jones February 11, 1964Robert Stevenson Tom August & Helen August Bill WalshWalt Disney and Ron Miller
The Monkey's Uncle August 18, 1965Tom August & Helen August
Other films
The World's Greatest Athlete February 1, 1973 Robert Scheerer Dee Caruso
and Gerald Gardner
Bill Walsh

Notes

  1. These numbers is an approximate calculation of the total income The Walt Disney Company made of film rentals. Box office numbers are not available from the company.

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References

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