Back to School

"He enrolled in college for the pursuit of finer things...like co-eds, shapely professors, fun and rock and roll."

1986 1h 36m EN

😐

6.3

MID

★6.3TMDB · 520

Comedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Self-made millionaire Thornton Melon decides to get a better education and enrolls at his son Jason's college. While Jason tries to fit in with his fellow students, Thornton struggles to gain his son's respect, giving way to hilarious antics.

“He enrolled in college for the pursuit of finer things...like co-eds, shapely professors, fun and rock and roll.”

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Cast

Rodney Dangerfield
Thornton Melon
Sally Kellerman
Diane
Burt Young
Lou
Keith Gordon
Jason Melon
Robert Downey Jr.
Derek
William Zabka
Chas
Paxton Whitehead
Phillip Barbay
Adrienne Barbeau
Vanessa

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Alan Metter
Writers: Harold Ramis, Rodney Dangerfield, Greg Fields
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Made its money back 8.3× over at the box office.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

40 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

CAST

Did you know

209+ people credited in cast and crew — a small city's worth of labour.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Alan Metter, shot by Thomas E. Ackerman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Danny Elfman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor David Rawlins shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Rodney Dangerfield and Sally Kellerman and Burt Young carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "He enrolled in college for the pursuit of finer things...like co-eds, shapely professors, fun and rock and roll.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Alan Metter directs. Thomas E. Ackerman behind the camera. Danny Elfman scores. David Rawlins cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Made its budget back several times over at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Made its money back 8.3× over at the box office.
240 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3209+ people credited in cast and crew — a small city's worth of labour.
4Directed by Alan Metter, shot by Thomas E. Ackerman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Danny Elfman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor David Rawlins shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Rodney Dangerfield and Sally Kellerman and Burt Young carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "He enrolled in college for the pursuit of finer things...like co-eds, shapely professors, fun and rock and roll.".
9IMDB entry: tt0090685 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 8 themes, including "college", "tutor", "whirlpool", "clothing store".
11Released under 11 different titles around the world.