Cadet Kelly
Encyclopedia
Cadet Kelly is a 2002 Disney Channel Original Movie starring Hilary Duff
. The film premiered with 7.8 million viewers. It was Duff's second film where she played the main character, her first being the film Casper Meets Wendy
. This was Disney Channel's second film filmed in Canada
.
). When her new stepfather becomes the Commandant
of a military school, George Washington Military Academy, Kelly and her family move upstate. Kelly has to enroll at the school, since it is the only school in the area, leaving behind her art school and her best friend Amanda. On her first day at military school, she befriends Carla (Andrea Lewis
), a girl who has been there for a long time and shows her the ropes. Kelly, at first, has trouble fitting in and obeying the orders of the officers above her, especially Cadet Captain Jennifer Stone (Christy Carlson Romano
), who has a crush on Cadet Major Brad Rigby (Shawn Ashmore
). Kelly feels drawn to Brad instantly, and competes with Captain Stone for his attention. Captain Stone does not treat Kelly well, verbally abusing her and destroying her personal belongings. To get back at her, Kelly decides to paint Stone's hair in the middle of the night, in the same pattern as a blanket of Kelly's that Stone ruined. Kelly is ready to tell her mom about her feelings and opinions of the school, when her mother reveals that she's pregnant. Seeing that her mother needs her support, she vows to help her stepfather learn how to take care of a child and make him "ready" to be a dad.
After Kelly accidentally ruins Stone's dress at the school dance, she is forced to appear in Cadet Court and is found guilty of many infractions. She is sentenced by her stepfather to take care of and shine the uniforms of the drill team, which she had, earlier in the film, referred to as a team of robots. However, she gradually takes a liking to them and decides to try out for the team, seeing that they need some inspiration. With the help of Gloria (Aimee Garcia), a fellow cadet, she practices enough and makes the team.
Kelly's team makes it to the regionals, which will be held at a different school. Kelly's dad surprises her by revealing that he will be working a job nearby, and can make it to the regionals to see her perform. The day of the competition, however, he does not show up and Kelly begins to worry. Her stepfather notices that she is distressed and asks her to explain the situation to him. Kelly tells him that she has received a phone call from her father that was cut off, which she finds strange. She refers to her cell phone as her and her father's "lifeline", and says that he would only call if it was an absolute emergency. Seeing that Kelly needs help, he excuses her from the competition and goes with her to the location her father said he would be. They find him on a cliff, as he has fallen down. Kelly doesn't want to leave him alone, so she uses her new training to rappel down the cliffside and stay by her father. Joe calls for help, and a rescue team arrives to bring him and Kelly back up. Realizing that Joe has become more fatherly, she tells both of her dads that she is proud to be their daughter.
Kelly runs back to the competition to find that they are down by five points. The only chance they have of winning is a special routine that Kelly and Stone had been practicing. They perform it, and receive excellent marks from the reviewing board. George Washington's drill team places second, but only by a difference of one point. Kelly gives Stone a hug, which she is surprised by, but returns anyway. She also makes amends with Carla, who she had offended by saying that Amanda was her truest and best friend, even though Carla had always been there for her. The drill team vows that they will win next year, but Stone reveals that her father, a military man, has been transferred to Europe and she will be leaving with him. Stone remarks that she would like to see Kelly take her place as a cadet officer one day, and among her responsibilities have to put up with new recruits like herself.
, a military school in Canada
. There were also some scenes that were taken in St. Andrew's College, a private school and Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School
, also in Ontario
, Canada
. Hilary Duff was made an honorary Cadet
Sergeant of the school during the production. The military advisor for the film, Lt. William T. Bates, drilled the actors in a "boot camp" style situation, often testing them with rehearsals of complicated rifle and close order drill routines. The final scene was shot at the Canadian Forces
Fort York Armoury
in Toronto, Ontario.
Hilary Duff
Hilary Erhard Duff is an American actress, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and author. After working in local theater plays and television commercials in her childhood, she achieved fame playing the title role in the Disney Channel television series Lizzie McGuire. She also reprised her role in...
. The film premiered with 7.8 million viewers. It was Duff's second film where she played the main character, her first being the film Casper Meets Wendy
Casper Meets Wendy
Casper Meets Wendy is a direct-to-video and second spin-off to the 1995 film Casper. It was released by 20th Century Fox in 1998. The film is a sequel to Casper: A Spirited Beginning...
. This was Disney Channel's second film filmed in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Plot
The plot of the movie concerns Kelly, a free-spirited eighth grade girl whose mother gets married to Brigadier General Joe "Sir" Maxwell (Gary ColeGary Cole
Gary Michael Cole is an American actor. Cole is known for his supporting roles in numerous film and television productions since the 1990s.-Early life:...
). When her new stepfather becomes the Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
of a military school, George Washington Military Academy, Kelly and her family move upstate. Kelly has to enroll at the school, since it is the only school in the area, leaving behind her art school and her best friend Amanda. On her first day at military school, she befriends Carla (Andrea Lewis
Andrea Lewis
Andrea Desiree Lewis is a Canadian-born actress and singer best known for her portrayal of Hazel Aden on the teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation.-Television and Film:...
), a girl who has been there for a long time and shows her the ropes. Kelly, at first, has trouble fitting in and obeying the orders of the officers above her, especially Cadet Captain Jennifer Stone (Christy Carlson Romano
Christy Carlson Romano
Christy Carlson Romano is an American stage and film actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her roles in the sitcom Even Stevens and the animated series Kim Possible, in which she is the voice of the title character, as well as the voice of Yuffie Kisaragi in Kingdom Hearts and Final...
), who has a crush on Cadet Major Brad Rigby (Shawn Ashmore
Shawn Ashmore
Shawn Robert Ashmore is a Canadian film and television actor, perhaps best known for his role as Jake in the Animorphs television series and Iceman in the X-Men films. He is the twin brother of actor Aaron Ashmore.-Early life:...
). Kelly feels drawn to Brad instantly, and competes with Captain Stone for his attention. Captain Stone does not treat Kelly well, verbally abusing her and destroying her personal belongings. To get back at her, Kelly decides to paint Stone's hair in the middle of the night, in the same pattern as a blanket of Kelly's that Stone ruined. Kelly is ready to tell her mom about her feelings and opinions of the school, when her mother reveals that she's pregnant. Seeing that her mother needs her support, she vows to help her stepfather learn how to take care of a child and make him "ready" to be a dad.
After Kelly accidentally ruins Stone's dress at the school dance, she is forced to appear in Cadet Court and is found guilty of many infractions. She is sentenced by her stepfather to take care of and shine the uniforms of the drill team, which she had, earlier in the film, referred to as a team of robots. However, she gradually takes a liking to them and decides to try out for the team, seeing that they need some inspiration. With the help of Gloria (Aimee Garcia), a fellow cadet, she practices enough and makes the team.
Kelly's team makes it to the regionals, which will be held at a different school. Kelly's dad surprises her by revealing that he will be working a job nearby, and can make it to the regionals to see her perform. The day of the competition, however, he does not show up and Kelly begins to worry. Her stepfather notices that she is distressed and asks her to explain the situation to him. Kelly tells him that she has received a phone call from her father that was cut off, which she finds strange. She refers to her cell phone as her and her father's "lifeline", and says that he would only call if it was an absolute emergency. Seeing that Kelly needs help, he excuses her from the competition and goes with her to the location her father said he would be. They find him on a cliff, as he has fallen down. Kelly doesn't want to leave him alone, so she uses her new training to rappel down the cliffside and stay by her father. Joe calls for help, and a rescue team arrives to bring him and Kelly back up. Realizing that Joe has become more fatherly, she tells both of her dads that she is proud to be their daughter.
Kelly runs back to the competition to find that they are down by five points. The only chance they have of winning is a special routine that Kelly and Stone had been practicing. They perform it, and receive excellent marks from the reviewing board. George Washington's drill team places second, but only by a difference of one point. Kelly gives Stone a hug, which she is surprised by, but returns anyway. She also makes amends with Carla, who she had offended by saying that Amanda was her truest and best friend, even though Carla had always been there for her. The drill team vows that they will win next year, but Stone reveals that her father, a military man, has been transferred to Europe and she will be leaving with him. Stone remarks that she would like to see Kelly take her place as a cadet officer one day, and among her responsibilities have to put up with new recruits like herself.
Cast
- Hilary DuffHilary DuffHilary Erhard Duff is an American actress, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and author. After working in local theater plays and television commercials in her childhood, she achieved fame playing the title role in the Disney Channel television series Lizzie McGuire. She also reprised her role in...
as Kelly Collins - Christy Carlson RomanoChristy Carlson RomanoChristy Carlson Romano is an American stage and film actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her roles in the sitcom Even Stevens and the animated series Kim Possible, in which she is the voice of the title character, as well as the voice of Yuffie Kisaragi in Kingdom Hearts and Final...
as Cadet Captain Jennifer Stone - Gary ColeGary ColeGary Michael Cole is an American actor. Cole is known for his supporting roles in numerous film and television productions since the 1990s.-Early life:...
as General Joe "Sir" Maxwell - Andrea LewisAndrea LewisAndrea Desiree Lewis is a Canadian-born actress and singer best known for her portrayal of Hazel Aden on the teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation.-Television and Film:...
as Carla - Shawn AshmoreShawn AshmoreShawn Robert Ashmore is a Canadian film and television actor, perhaps best known for his role as Jake in the Animorphs television series and Iceman in the X-Men films. He is the twin brother of actor Aaron Ashmore.-Early life:...
as Cadet Major Brad Rigby - Aimee Garcia as Gloria
- Sarah GadonSarah GadonSarah Gadon is a Canadian actress. She acted in David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method and Cosmopolis. She has guest starred in number of notable television series including Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Dark Oracle, Doc, In a Heartbeat, La Femme Nikita, Life with Derek, and Mutant X...
as Amanda - Linda KashLinda KashLinda Kash is a Canadian actress.An alumna of Second City, she played Trudy Weissman in the 1998 Jean Smart sit-com, Style & Substance...
as Samantha - Nigel HamerNigel HamerNigel Barry Hamer was a key member of the Front de libération du Québec . He was a student at McGill University when he joined the Liberation Cell of the terrorist group and participated in the October Crisis of 1970. He actively participated in the hostage-taking of the British Trade Commissioner...
as Adam - Avery SaltzmanAvery SaltzmanAvery Saltzman is a Canadian actor and theater director. He is Artistic Director of the Harold Green Jewish Theatre. Saltzman was born and reared in Toronto.Saltzman is considered to be one of Canada’s leading character actors....
as Kevin - Joe Matheson as General Archer
- Beverlee Buzon as Grace
- Dalene Irvine as Marla
- Desmond Campbell as Lt. Col. Ross
- Tim Post as Col. Mikkelson
- Christopher Tai as Sr. Cadet officer
- Josh Wittig as Cadet bugler
- Edie Inksetter as Math teacher
- Stewart Arnott as Captain Lawrence
- Lt. William T. Bates Military Advisor
- Martin RoachMartin RoachMartin Jamie Roach is a Canadian actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles on Aaron Stone as T. Abner Hall and in the films Cube Zero, Diary of the Dead, and The Lookout.-Filmography:* Producing Parker as Dr...
as Drill instructor - Ashley LeggatAshley LeggatAshley Margaret Anne Leggat is a Canadian actress, singer, and dancer. She is known for her roles as Casey McDonald in Life with Derek and Marcia in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.-Career:...
as Dancer (uncredited) - Steve Bryan as Background Performer (uncredited)
Production
Primary filming for the school scenes was done at the Robert Land AcademyRobert Land Academy
Robert Land Academy is Canada's only non-university level military academy. Located in the former township of Gainsborough on the north shores of the Welland River five kilometres west of the hamlet of Wellandport in West Lincoln, Ontario, the Academy began to accept students in 1978.The Academy...
, a military school in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. There were also some scenes that were taken in St. Andrew's College, a private school and Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School
Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School
Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School is an all-girls Catholic high school in Hogg's Hollow neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. It was established by the Loretto Sisters in 1847 and is part of the Toronto Catholic District School Board....
, also in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Hilary Duff was made an honorary Cadet
Cadet
A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
Sergeant of the school during the production. The military advisor for the film, Lt. William T. Bates, drilled the actors in a "boot camp" style situation, often testing them with rehearsals of complicated rifle and close order drill routines. The final scene was shot at the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
Fort York Armoury
Fort York Armoury
Fort York Armoury is a Canadian Forces facility located near the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located at the intersection of Fleet Street and Fort York Blvd, close to the historic Fort York site in the neighbourhood of Fort York...
in Toronto, Ontario.