Three O'Clock High

Last updated
Three O'Clock High
Three o clock high p.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Phil Joanou
Written by
Produced byDavid E. Vogel
Starring
Cinematography Barry Sonnenfeld
Edited byJoe Ann Fogle
Music by Tangerine Dream
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date
  • October 9, 1987 (1987-10-09)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million
Box office$3.6 million [1]

Three O'Clock High is a 1987 American teen comedy film directed by Phil Joanou. The script, about a meek high schooler who is forced into a fight with an unstable new transfer student, is based on the high school experiences of screenwriters Richard Christian Matheson and Thomas Szollosi. It was shot in Ogden, Utah.

Contents

Plot

Meek high school student Jerry Mitchell and sister Brei are home alone while their parents vacation. The Weaver High School students this morning gossip about new student Buddy Revell, an allegedly violent psychopathic delinquent transferred from a continuation high school.

Jerry's day begins at the school newspaper, where his best friend, Vincent Costello, is editor. Their journalism teacher suggests an article to welcome "new kid" Buddy and assigns Jerry an interview. Jerry sees Buddy in the restroom and clumsily attempts to introduce himself but realizes he is annoying Buddy. He tells Buddy to disregard the interview request, and taps Buddy's arm affably. Buddy, who has a touch phobia, throws Jerry against a wall and declares the pair will fight outside school at 3:00 P.M. Buddy warns that running away or reporting the incident would only worsen matters.

As time runs out, Jerry tries different strategies to avoid fighting. Attempts to reason with Buddy don't work. Vincent plants a switchblade in Buddy's locker to get him kicked out of school; Brei advises Jerry to skip school, but in his mom's car Jerry finds the switchblade stuck in the steering wheel and ignition wires cut. Jerry tries to run, but overzealous security guard Duke catches him. Duke finds the switchblade and takes Jerry to Dean of Discipline Mr. Dolinski, who warns Jerry is under suspicion.

Jerry's further attempts to avoid the fight are not successful, until he steals cash from the school newspaper. Buddy ultimately accepts the cash to call off the fight, but proclaims Jerry a coward since he didn't even try to fight. Seized with self-loathing and anger, Jerry confronts Buddy and demands the money back. Buddy refuses, and Jerry agrees to the fight.

The clock finally reaches the appointed hour, and the fight begins before hundreds of eager students. Principal O’Rourke tries to break it up, but when he touches Buddy's shoulder, Buddy punches him to the ground. Duke and Jerry's friend Franny also intervene, but Buddy knocks out Duke and pushes Franny aside. Jerry, though out-matched, stands his ground while being knocked down. Buddy takes out his brass knuckles, but Vincent distracts him and he drops the weapon, which Brei picks up and slips to Jerry. Jerry desperately uses the brass knuckles to punch Buddy, knocking him out and winning the fight. During the subsequent excitement and police arrival, Buddy vanishes while Jerry is let go for the day.

The next morning, students show Jerry their admiration and support. They buy individual sheets of paper for $1 from the school store to make up the missing cash. Buddy appears, silencing the crowd, and returns the money to Jerry. Weaver is filled with new gossip, as Jerry, now allegedly dating his crush Karen, replaces Buddy as hot topic. Rumors deviate far from the truth.

Cast

Soundtrack

Three O'Clock High
Three O'Clock High.png
1987 U.S. CD cover
Soundtrack album by
Tangerine Dream
Released1987
Recorded1987
Genre Electronic music
Length41:42
Label Varèse Sarabande
Tangerine Dream chronology
Tyger
(1987)		Three O'Clock High
(1987)		 Near Dark
(1988)

The film's soundtrack is the thirty-first major release and ninth soundtrack album by Tangerine Dream. Additional music was provided by Sylvester Levay. [2] The song, "Something to Remember Me By", was written and performed by Jim Walker.

Track listing

No.TitleMusicLength
1."It's Jerry's Day Today" 0:44
2."46-32-15" 0:47
3."No Detention" 1:01
4."Any School Bully Will Do" 0:33
5."Go to the Head of the Class" 3:10
6."Sit"Sylvester Levay0:47
7."The Fight"Sylvester Levay2:35
8."Jerry's Decision"Sylvester Levay4:28
9."The Fight is On"Sylvester Levay4:39
10."Paper"Sylvester Levay1:28
11."Big, Bright Brass Knuckles" 1:18
12."Buying Paper Like it's Going Out of Style" 1:35
13."Dangerous Trend" 0:54
14."Who's Chasing Who" 0:59
15."Bonding By Candlelight" 1:35
16."You'll Never Believe It" 2:19
17."Starting The Day Off Right" 1:16
18."Weak At The Knees" 2:34
19."Kill Him (The Football Dummy)" 1:04
20."Not So Quiet in the Library/Get Lost In A Crowd" 1:34
21."Something to Remember Me By"Jim Walker4:12
22."Arrival"Rick Morotta and David Tickle2:10

Personnel

Release

Box office

The film opened in 849 theaters nationwide on October 9, 1987, and earned $1,506,975 on its opening weekend, 40.9% of its total gross. The total lifetime gross is approximately $3,685,862, against the original budget of $5,000,000.[ citation needed ]

Critical response

The film earned mixed reviews, and has a "fresh" rating of 60% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes based on 15 critical reviews. [3]

Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times gave the film one out of four stars, declaring the plot to be "pretty stupid" and lamenting that the bully Buddy Revell, "the most interesting character", was underdeveloped. [4]

In a retrospective review from 2016, critic Rob Hunter called the film "a wildly inventive and energetic look at the failures and successes of a typical high school day, and it shapes the daydreams and anxieties into an exaggerated delight." [5]

The dark tone of the film contrasted with other teen films of the time—so much so that executive producer Steven Spielberg removed his name from the credits. [6] In 2017, Adrian Halen wrote that Three O'Clock High was released in "an era when The Breakfast Club , Pretty in Pink , Ferris Bueller's Day Off , National Lampoon’s Vacation and Weird Science were the general norm for moviegoers." [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>The 13th Warrior</i> 1999 film by John McTiernan

The 13th Warrior is a 1999 American historical fiction action film based on Michael Crichton's 1976 novel Eaters of the Dead, which is a loose adaptation of the tale of Beowulf combined with Ahmad ibn Fadlan's historical account of the Volga Vikings.

<i>Teen Wolf</i> 1985 film by Rod Daniel

Teen Wolf is a 1985 American coming-of-age comedy film directed by Rod Daniel and written by Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman. Michael J. Fox stars as the title character, a high school student whose ordinary life is changed when he discovers that he is a werewolf. James Hampton, Scott Paulin, Susan Ursitti, Jerry Levine, Matt Adler, and Jay Tarses appear in supporting roles. Filming took place from November to December 1984.

<i>Teen Wolf Too</i> 1987 film by Christopher Leitch

Teen Wolf Too is a 1987 American fantasy comedy film directed by Christopher Leitch, from a script written by R. Timothy Kring. It is the sequel to Teen Wolf (1985), and second installment overall in the Teen Wolf franchise. Starring in his feature film debut, Jason Bateman stars as the cousin to Michael J. Fox's character from the first installment. James Hampton, John Astin and Kim Darby feature in supporting roles.

<i>Just One of the Guys</i> 1985 film by Lisa Gottlieb

Just One of the Guys is a 1985 American teen comedy film directed by Lisa Gottlieb and co-written by Dennis Feldman and Jeff Franklin. It is a loose adaptation of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The film stars Joyce Hyser, Clayton Rohner, Billy Jacoby, Toni Hudson, and William Zabka.

<i>O</i> (2001 film) 2001 American romantic drama film by Tim Blake Nelson

O is a 2001 American romantic thriller film, and a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's Othello, set in an American high school. It stars Mekhi Phifer, Julia Stiles, and Josh Hartnett. It was directed by Tim Blake Nelson and written by Brad Kaaya. The film contains many different styles of music, ranging from rap to opera. It was filmed in Charleston, South Carolina in the spring of 1999. Originally intended for release for October 17, 1999, it was shelved following the Columbine High School massacre; O was finally released on August 31, 2001. The film grossed $16 million at the United States box office, which was seen by distributor Lions Gate Films as a "box office success".

<i>Sidekicks</i> (1992 film) 1992 American film

Sidekicks is a 1992 American adventure action comedy-drama film directed by Aaron Norris and starring Jonathan Brandis and Chuck Norris.

<i>Not Another Teen Movie</i> 2001 film by Joel Gallen

Not Another Teen Movie is a 2001 American teen parody film directed by Joel Gallen and written by Mike Bender, Adam Jay Epstein, Andrew Jacobson, Phil Beauman, and Buddy Johnson. It features Chyler Leigh, Chris Evans, Jaime Pressly, Eric Christian Olsen, Eric Jungmann, Mia Kirshner, Deon Richmond, Cody McMains, Sam Huntington, Samm Levine, Cerina Vincent, Ron Lester, Randy Quaid, Lacey Chabert, Riley Smith and Samaire Armstrong.

<i>The Hollywood Knights</i> 1980 film by Floyd Mutrux

The Hollywood Knights is a 1980 American teen comedy film written and directed by Floyd Mutrux. It depicts the crass and mischievous antics and practical jokes of the remaining members of a 1950s-era car club turned social fraternity in and around Beverly Hills and Hollywood in 1965. The cast, led by Robert Wuhl as the fraternity's charismatic leader, features Tony Danza and Michelle Pfeiffer in their film debuts, as well as Gailard Sartain, Fran Drescher, and Stuart Pankin in supporting roles.

<i>Any Which Way You Can</i> 1980 film by Buddy Van Horn

Any Which Way You Can is a 1980 American action comedy film directed by Buddy Van Horn and starring Clint Eastwood, with Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis, William Smith, and Ruth Gordon in supporting roles. The film is the sequel to the 1978 hit comedy Every Which Way but Loose. The cast of the previous film return as Philo Beddoe (Eastwood) reluctantly comes out of retirement from underground bare-knuckle boxing to take on a champion hired by the mafia, who will stop at nothing to ensure the fight takes place, while the neo-Nazi biker gang Philo humiliated in the previous film also comes back for revenge.

<i>I Spy</i> (2002 film) 2002 film by Betty Thomas

I Spy is a 2002 American buddy spy comedy film directed by Betty Thomas, and starring Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson. The film is based on the television series of the same name that aired in the 1960s and starred Robert Culp and Bill Cosby. The plot follows a spy and a famous civilian boxer who go undercover to prevent a gun runner from selling a stolen stealth bomber to the highest bidder.

<i>Le Beau Mariage</i> 1982 French film directed by Éric Rohmer

Le Beau Mariage is a 1982 French film directed by Éric Rohmer, starring Béatrice Romand, André Dussollier, Féodor Atkine. It is one of Rohmer's "comedies and proverbs". Its theme is a proverb from La Fontaine: "Quel esprit ne bat la campagne? Qui ne fait château en Espagne?".

<i>Drillbit Taylor</i> 2008 comedy film by Steven Brill

Drillbit Taylor is a 2008 American coming-of-age comedy film directed by Steven Brill, produced by Judd Apatow, Susan Arnold and Donna Arkoff Roth with screenplay by Kristofor Brown and Seth Rogen based on an original story by John Hughes. In the film, three high school pupils decide to hire an adult bodyguard to protect them from some bullies who endlessly harasses and abuses them.

<i>Thief of Hearts</i> 1984 American film

Thief of Hearts is a 1984 American erotic drama film produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. It was written and directed by Douglas Day Stewart.

<i>Trippin</i> (film) 1999 film by David Raynr

Trippin' is a 1999 American comedy film directed by David Raynr and starring Deon Richmond, Maia Campbell, Donald Faison, and Guy Torry. The film provided one of Anthony Anderson's earliest film roles.

<i>Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II</i> 1987 film by Bruce Pittman

Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II is a 1987 Canadian supernatural slasher film directed by Bruce Pittman, and starring Michael Ironside, Wendy Lyon, Louis Ferreira, and Lisa Schrage. It follows a high school student who becomes possessed by Mary Lou Maloney, a student who died at her high school prom in 1957. A sequel to the slasher film Prom Night (1980), it was originally intended to be a standalone film titled The Haunting of Hamilton High, but was retitled in order to capitalize on the success of the original Prom Night. The only story connection between the two films is that they are set at the same high school. However, both films were executive produced by Peter R. Simpson.

<i>High-Ballin</i> 1978 film by Peter Carter

High-Ballin is a 1978 Canadian action comedy film about truckers directed by Peter Carter. The US release was rated PG, with a runtime of 97 minutes.

<i>Because Theyre Young</i> 1960 film

Because They're Young is a 1960 American drama film directed by Paul Wendkos and starring Dick Clark as Neil Hendry, an American high-school teacher who tries to make a difference in the lives of his students. The film co-stars Tuesday Weld, Michael Callan, Warren Berlinger, Roberta Shore, Doug McClure, Victoria Shaw and Stephen Talbot. The screenplay was based on Harrison High, a 1959 novel by John Farris.

<i>The Final</i> (film) 2010 American film

The Final is a 2010 American psychological horror thriller film written by Jason Kabolati, directed by Joey Stewart, and starring Jascha Washington, Julin, Justin S. Arnold, Lindsay Seidel, Marc Donato, Laura Ashley Samuels, Ryan Hayden, and Travis Tedford.

<i>Teen Wolf</i> (2011 TV series) American supernatural teen drama television series

Teen Wolf is an American supernatural teen drama television series developed by Jeff Davis for MTV. Serving as a supernatural reimagining of the 1985 film of the same name, the series is the fourth installment overall in the titular franchise. Tyler Posey portrays a young werewolf who defends his California town from supernatural creatures and other threats.

<i>Barely Lethal</i> 2015 American film

Barely Lethal is a 2015 American action comedy film directed by Kyle Newman, written by John D'Arco, starring Hailee Steinfeld, Sophie Turner, Jessica Alba, Dove Cameron, and Samuel L. Jackson. Steinfeld stars as Agent 83, a teenage intelligence agent yearning for a normal adolescence who disappears and enrolls as an exchange student in a suburban American high school.

References

  1. ↑ Three O'Clock High (1987) - Box office / business
  2. ↑ Berling, Michael (29 September 2016). "Three O'Clock High". Voices in the Net.
  3. ↑ "Three O'Clock High". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  4. ↑ Ebert, Roger (1987). "Three O'Clock High," 09 October 1987, retrieved 18 July 2020
  5. ↑ "Three O'Clock High Blends Anxiety and Daydream with Perfection". Film School Rejects. 2016-11-03. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  6. ↑ "Why Three O'Clock High is a much better movie than you remember". The HotCorn. 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  7. ↑ "Film Review: Three O'Clock High (1987)". HNN | Horrornews.net. 2017-09-28. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.