The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
by Robert Butler
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alan Hewitt, Cesar Romero, Joe Flynn, Kurt Russell, William SchallertDirector: Robert Butler
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Cinematographer: Frank V. Phillips
Editor: Cotton Warburton
Producer: Bill Anderson
Producer: Joseph L. McEveety
Writer: Joseph L. McEveety
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 91 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-01-14
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Disney Home Video
Movie Reviews of The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
Movie Review: The first of a funtastic Disney trilogy!
Summary: 5 Stars
Medfield College student Dexter Riley(Kurt Russell) was just another underachiever in a group of friends on the brink of being booted out of school by ever-flustered Dean Higgins(Joe Flynn). That is, until an accident with the science lab's new computer results in Dexter getting a super-charged brain. Soon, the world is catering to Dexter and other colleges are vying for him. It's a bit much for an innocent, unworldly guy like Dexter to take, even with his newfound smarts. Even local big-shot businessman A.J. Arno(Cesar Romero) has taken an interest in Dexter, though more as a tool for playing the ponies than anything else. But when a glitch in his databanks causes Dexter to reveal A.J.'s secret, illegal business locations, Dexter finds out who his real friends are as they work together to save him from Arno and get him to the big college quiz show in time to win the school some much needed prize money!
Released in 1969 and the first of three Dexter Riley films starring Kurt Russell as the Medfield college student who was repeatedly acquiring special powers through strange science accidents, "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" is a delightful family film from Disney balancing comedy, fantasy, charm, and just a hint of drama (don't worry, they make it painless). Reminiscent of Disney college classics like "The Misadventures of Merlin Jones", "The Absent Minded Professor", and "The Monkey's Uncle" (would have been neat if they'd stuck with the old Disney alma matter of Midvale), "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" and its sequels manage to carry on that special Disney sense of quality fancifulness and fun beyond Walt's years and through the studio's much maligned '70's offerings. Yes, to many fans the Dexter Riley films are among Disney's best stuff (well, in the less dramatic line at least), despite the time period they hail from. It's no wonder that there is talk of new Dexter Riley material in the works, possibly graphic novels and maybe even feature films (potentially starring Kurt Russell as father to a Dexter Riley Jr., if not an all out recreation of the original character). At least, that's something I picked up from people in-the-know at a comic convention last year. We can only wait and hope.
This DVD looks great when one overlooks the issue of format, which is a rather hinky one when it comes to Disney films. They often were shot one way with intentions of another, leaving the public with differing ideas and not very straightforward information sources. Though, the fact that the only extra features here are trailers for other Disney films leads one to believe that no effort was really made in putting out the best DVD possible, so likely the formatting is incorrect too. Regardless, the film looks fine and is highly enjoyable, and I'd recommend this DVD for anyone's movie collection.
"The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" was remade once already, actually, as a 1995 Disney TV movie starring Kirk Cameron in the role of Dexter; a fine effort that unfortunately never resulted in sequels. Also unfortunate is that the remake, along with many other Disney TV remakes, sequels, and originals of the time, has never been released to DVD. Though, if you find you enjoy the original "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" (and if you're a good person you will, ha), then I also recommend the sequels, "Now You See Him, Now You Don't" and "The Strongest Man In the World", as well as these other Disney/Kurt Russell favorites: "Follow Me, Boys!", "The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band", "The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit", "The Barefoot Executive", "Charley and the Angel", "Superdad", and "Sky High". And, oh, if they'd only release "Disneyland Showtime" and "Dad, Can I Borrow the Car?" in one of those wonderful Disney Treasures sets!
Summary of The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
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