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Police Academy (film)
Encyclopedia
Police Academy is a 1984 comedy film
directed by Hugh Wilson, and starring Steve Guttenberg
, Kim Cattrall
and G.W. Bailey. It grossed approximately $146 million worldwide and spawned six more films in the Police Academy series.
Carey Mahoney is an easygoing man who has repeatedly gotten himself in trouble with the law when standing up to arrogance. Mahoney is forced to join the police force as an alternative to jail; a proposal by Captain Reed who has been lenient on Mahoney because of knowing his father, who was also a policeman. Mahoney reluctantly agrees to this, deciding that he will get himself thrown out as a loophole. However, the chief of police, outraged by the mayor's lowered requirements, decides that the new cadets should be forced to quit rather than being thrown out. Lieutenant Thaddeus Harris, who trains the cadets, agrees with the plan and employs tactics to make their lives as miserable as possible so that they do in fact quit. Mahoney tries many schemes to get thrown out as he cannot quit, since as part of the deal he made with Captain Reed, if he quits, he will be sent to jail. But toward the middle of the film he decides to stay for good, having fallen in love with another cadet, Karen Thompson (Kim Cattrall
).
While in the academy, Mahoney becomes friends with fellow cadets Larvell Jones (Michael Winslow
), military honcho Eugene Tackleberry (David Graf
), and especially Moses Hightower (Bubba Smith
), a giant of a man who is actually quite shy and keeps away from violence by and large. Mahoney helps Hightower prepare for the critical driving test, and after he passes, Hightower is very thankful to Mahoney. Unfortunately, the quit policy does not apply to Hightower, who gets himself kicked out of the academy because of an incident: After the hated cadet Chad Copeland racially insults his friend and fellow cadet Laverne Hooks, an angered Hightower lifts and turns over the police car in which Copeland is seated.
Shortly after this, Mahoney gets involved in a lunchroom brawl caused by Cadets Copeland and Blankes, and takes the blame for throwing the first punch, which finally gives Lt. Harris the green light to expel his most despised cadet. Before Mahoney actually leaves the premises, however, a major riot breaks out downtown. The resulting police emergency forces the cadets into real action for the first time. During the riot, a wanted criminal manages to steal two police revolvers from Blankes and Copeland. The outlaw then proceeds to capture Harris in the confusion, taking the officer to the roof of a nearby building as a hostage. Mahoney, putting aside his uneven past with the senior policeman, bravely attempts a rescue, which is promptly fumbled, allowing Mahoney to be taken as a second hostage. Just as both are about to be killed, it is none other than Hightower who suddenly appears on the rooftop. The former cadet manages to fool the madman into thinking he is a fellow crook and demands that he kill Harris. However, when the criminal does try to pull the trigger, Hightower easily knocks him unconscious.
Mahoney and Hightower both graduate from the academy a few days later, and for their rescue of Lt. Harris and capture of his kidnapper, also receive the academy's highest commendation. All of the new cadets finally graduate with flying colours, finally winning a respectful salute from Harris.
, Canada. The studio scenes were shot at Lakeshore Studios; the city scenes were filmed in various parts of Toronto.
, which includes 7 positive and 8 negative reviews out of 15 reviews. Roger Ebert
of the Chicago Sun-Times
, gave the film zero stars out of a possible four stars, commenting that "It's really something. It's so bad, maybe you should pool your money and draw straws and send one of the guys off to rent it so that in the future, whenever you think you're sitting through a bad comedy, he could shake his head, and chuckle tolerantly, and explain that you don't know what bad is".
Respected critic Vincent Canby
of The New York Times
however, did give the film a favorable review. The film's critical reception, however, is still better than its sequels, which have been universally panned by critics since they started being released.
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Hugh Wilson, and starring Steve Guttenberg
Steve Guttenberg
Steven Robert "Steve" Guttenberg is an American actor and comedian. He became well known during the 1980s, after a series of starring roles in major Hollywood films, including Cocoon, Three Men and a Baby, Police Academy, and Short Circuit.-Early life:Guttenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York, the...
, Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall
Kim Victoria Cattrall is an English actress. She is known for her role as Samantha Jones in the HBO comedy/romance series Sex and the City, and for her leading roles in the 1980s films Police Academy, Big Trouble in Little China, Mannequin, and Porky's...
and G.W. Bailey. It grossed approximately $146 million worldwide and spawned six more films in the Police Academy series.
Plot
A newly-elected woman mayor of an unnamed city has announced a policy requiring the police department to accept all willing recruits, effectively abolishing fitness requirements, educational levels, and medical standards. Not everyone in the police force is happy about the new changes.Carey Mahoney is an easygoing man who has repeatedly gotten himself in trouble with the law when standing up to arrogance. Mahoney is forced to join the police force as an alternative to jail; a proposal by Captain Reed who has been lenient on Mahoney because of knowing his father, who was also a policeman. Mahoney reluctantly agrees to this, deciding that he will get himself thrown out as a loophole. However, the chief of police, outraged by the mayor's lowered requirements, decides that the new cadets should be forced to quit rather than being thrown out. Lieutenant Thaddeus Harris, who trains the cadets, agrees with the plan and employs tactics to make their lives as miserable as possible so that they do in fact quit. Mahoney tries many schemes to get thrown out as he cannot quit, since as part of the deal he made with Captain Reed, if he quits, he will be sent to jail. But toward the middle of the film he decides to stay for good, having fallen in love with another cadet, Karen Thompson (Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall
Kim Victoria Cattrall is an English actress. She is known for her role as Samantha Jones in the HBO comedy/romance series Sex and the City, and for her leading roles in the 1980s films Police Academy, Big Trouble in Little China, Mannequin, and Porky's...
).
While in the academy, Mahoney becomes friends with fellow cadets Larvell Jones (Michael Winslow
Michael Winslow
Michael Winslow is an American actor and a comedian billed as the "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects" for his ability to make realistic sound effects using only his voice.-Early life:...
), military honcho Eugene Tackleberry (David Graf
David Graf
Paul David Graf was an American actor, best known for his role as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the Police Academy series of films...
), and especially Moses Hightower (Bubba Smith
Bubba Smith
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team...
), a giant of a man who is actually quite shy and keeps away from violence by and large. Mahoney helps Hightower prepare for the critical driving test, and after he passes, Hightower is very thankful to Mahoney. Unfortunately, the quit policy does not apply to Hightower, who gets himself kicked out of the academy because of an incident: After the hated cadet Chad Copeland racially insults his friend and fellow cadet Laverne Hooks, an angered Hightower lifts and turns over the police car in which Copeland is seated.
Shortly after this, Mahoney gets involved in a lunchroom brawl caused by Cadets Copeland and Blankes, and takes the blame for throwing the first punch, which finally gives Lt. Harris the green light to expel his most despised cadet. Before Mahoney actually leaves the premises, however, a major riot breaks out downtown. The resulting police emergency forces the cadets into real action for the first time. During the riot, a wanted criminal manages to steal two police revolvers from Blankes and Copeland. The outlaw then proceeds to capture Harris in the confusion, taking the officer to the roof of a nearby building as a hostage. Mahoney, putting aside his uneven past with the senior policeman, bravely attempts a rescue, which is promptly fumbled, allowing Mahoney to be taken as a second hostage. Just as both are about to be killed, it is none other than Hightower who suddenly appears on the rooftop. The former cadet manages to fool the madman into thinking he is a fellow crook and demands that he kill Harris. However, when the criminal does try to pull the trigger, Hightower easily knocks him unconscious.
Mahoney and Hightower both graduate from the academy a few days later, and for their rescue of Lt. Harris and capture of his kidnapper, also receive the academy's highest commendation. All of the new cadets finally graduate with flying colours, finally winning a respectful salute from Harris.
The Cadets
- Steve GuttenbergSteve GuttenbergSteven Robert "Steve" Guttenberg is an American actor and comedian. He became well known during the 1980s, after a series of starring roles in major Hollywood films, including Cocoon, Three Men and a Baby, Police Academy, and Short Circuit.-Early life:Guttenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York, the...
as Cadet Carey Mahoney - Kim CattrallKim CattrallKim Victoria Cattrall is an English actress. She is known for her role as Samantha Jones in the HBO comedy/romance series Sex and the City, and for her leading roles in the 1980s films Police Academy, Big Trouble in Little China, Mannequin, and Porky's...
as Cadet Karen Thompson - Bubba SmithBubba SmithCharles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team...
as Cadet Moses Hightower - Donovan ScottDonovan ScottDonovan Scott is an American character film actor best known for his role of cadet Leslie Barbara in the 1984 film Police Academy starring together with Steve Guttenberg...
as Cadet Leslie Barbara - Michael WinslowMichael WinslowMichael Winslow is an American actor and a comedian billed as the "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects" for his ability to make realistic sound effects using only his voice.-Early life:...
as Cadet Larvell Jones - Andrew Rubin as Cadet George Martin
- David GrafDavid GrafPaul David Graf was an American actor, best known for his role as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the Police Academy series of films...
as Cadet Eugene Tackleberry - Bruce MahlerBruce MahlerBruce Mahler is an American actor, producer, and writer. He is known for his role as Sgt. Fackler on the comedy films Police Academy, and as Rabbi Kirschbaum on the sitcom Seinfeld....
as Cadet Douglas Fackler - Marion RamseyMarion RamseyMarion Ramsey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an American actress. She was a regular on the series Cos but is best known for her role as the timid Officer Laverne Hooks in the Police Academy movies...
as Cadet Laverne Hooks - Brant Von Hoffman as Cadet Kyle Blankes
- Scott Thomson as Cadet Chad Copeland
The Staff At The Academy
- G. W. BaileyG. W. BaileyGeorge William "G.W." Bailey is an American stage, television and film actor. Although he appeared in many dramatic roles, he may be best remembered for his "crusty" comedic characters such as Staff Sergeant Luther Rizzo in M*A*S*H ; Lieutenant—and later, Captain—Thaddeus Harris in Police Academy...
as Lt. Thaddeus Harris - George GaynesGeorge GaynesGeorge Gaynes is a Finnish-born American actor of stage, screen and television.He may be best known as Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series, and to television fans as the curmudgeonly Henry Warnimont on the NBC series Punky Brewster, in which his wife, Allyn Ann McLerie,...
as Cmndt. Eric LassardEric LassardCommandant Eric Lassard is a fictional character in the 1984 film Police Academy, as well as its six sequels. He is portrayed by actor George Gaynes.... - Leslie EasterbrookLeslie Easterbrook-Early life:Easterbrook was born in Los Angeles and adopted by a family in rural Nebraska, where she was raised. Her father later earned a Ph.D and became a voice/trumpet professor at University of Nebraska at Kearney...
as Sgt. Debbie Callahan - George R. RobertsonGeorge R. RobertsonGeorge R. Robertson is and American actor, most famous for his roles in the first 6 of 7 Police Academy movies and the film JFK. He also guest-starred on an episode of The Twilight Zone .-Career:...
as Chief Henry J. Hurst
Filming locations
The film was shot entirely in and around the city of TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada. The studio scenes were shot at Lakeshore Studios; the city scenes were filmed in various parts of Toronto.
Reception
The film grossed $81,198,894 in 1,587 theaters, making it the sixth biggest grossing film in the US in 1984. The film was also a success worldwide, grossing approximately $146 million. Although it was a commercial success, it did garner some criticism. The film currently has a 47% Fresh rating at the film review aggregate site Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, which includes 7 positive and 8 negative reviews out of 15 reviews. Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
of the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
, gave the film zero stars out of a possible four stars, commenting that "It's really something. It's so bad, maybe you should pool your money and draw straws and send one of the guys off to rent it so that in the future, whenever you think you're sitting through a bad comedy, he could shake his head, and chuckle tolerantly, and explain that you don't know what bad is".
Respected critic Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby was an American film critic who became the chief film critic for The New York Times in 1969 and reviewed more than 1000 films during his tenure there.-Life and career:...
of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
however, did give the film a favorable review. The film's critical reception, however, is still better than its sequels, which have been universally panned by critics since they started being released.
Home video release
- Police Academy VHSVHSThe Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
(1984) The original theatrical version of the film released in 1984. In Europe it was released on VHS as Police Academy: What An Institution!
- Police Academy: 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
(1984) DVD was released around the world in 2004. Special features include a "Making of" documentary, Audio Commentary by the cast and the original theatrical trailer.
- Police Academy: The Complete Collection DVD [1984-1994]: This DVD collection is a seven disc boxset which included all seven Police Academy films released between 1984 and 1994. Police Academy 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 are in 1.85:1 widescreen, Police Academy 4 and 5 are in 1.33:1 fullscreen. All of the films have multi-language subtitles and their own retrospective featurettes.
- 4 Film Favorites: Police Academy 1-4 Collection DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
set was released September 15, 2009. This set contains the first four films in the series on two double sided discs. There is an error on the DVD artwork which proclaims that the first film is anamorphic widescreen and contains the same special features as the 20th Anniversary edition. This however isn't true as the first film is the direct port of the original DVD release which is Full Screen and contains none of the special features present on the special edition. The second and third films are anamorphic widescreen and the fourth film is full screen. Police Academy 5-7 would be released in a DVD set entitled "4 Film Favorites: Cop Comedy Collection", packaged with National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1.