Dexter Riley (film series)

The Dexter Riley film series consists of American Science fiction-comedy films, centered around a college student named Dexter Riley, portrayed by Kurt Russell.[1][2] The films, produced by The Walt Disney Company, taking place at the fictional Medfield College follow the science class lead by Professor Quigley, and their experiments, projects, and adventures. The college, under the direction of Dean Eugene Higgs (Joe Flynn) becomes involved in the nefarious plans of billionaire-turned-criminal, A.J. Arno (Cesar Romero).[3]

Dexter Riley
Official home video release, boxset collection artwork
Based onCharacters created by
Joseph L. McEveety
Starring
Release date
1969–1995
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$16,710,000
(Cumulative of 4 films)

The film trilogy received mixed critical and audience reviews, while its television film remake was poorly received.[4] The original trilogy has acquired a cult classic status.[5] In 1999 the Dexter Riley trilogy, along with a number of other Disney film series, were expanded as a franchise into the Walt Disney Parks attraction with elements included from each movie.[6]

Films
Title U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes December 31, 1969 (1969-12-31) Robert Butler Joseph L. McEveety Bill Anderson
Now You See Him, Now You Don't July 12, 1972 (1972-07-12) Joseph L. McEveety Robert L. King Ron Miller
The Strongest Man in the World February 6, 1975 (1975-02-06) Vincent McEveety Joseph L. McEveety & Herman Groves Bill Anderson

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)
Main article: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

At Medfield College, an nonintellectual named Dexter Riley becomes brilliant over night. Following an electrical accident, he gains the abilities to remember any knowledge learned instantly and perfectly; all because a donated computer memory was transferred to his brain. After Riley gains fame and attention via television appearances, the dean of a competing university decides to go after him and ruin his reputation. At the same time A.J. Arno, a secretly technologically-based crime boss, with an upstanding public persona pursues the student and his school, as the computer he had donated - that is now integrated into Riley's DNA - holds the records of his nefarious acts.[7][2]

Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972)
Main article: Now You See Him, Now You Don't

Dexter Riley is a student at Medfield College, studying science, who inadvertently invents a liquid capable of rendering objects and people invisible. As Dexter and his friends Debbie and Richard begin exploring their recent discovery, the product gains the unwanted attention of corrupt businessman, A.J. Arno. Recently released from prison, Arno seeks gain the formula and use it for criminal means, before the students can even announce their discovery. Arno and his henchman plan to use the invisibility spray to rob a bank.[8][2]

The Strongest Man in the World (1975)
Main article: The Strongest Man in the World

Dexter Riley, who is studying science at the Medfield College, decides upon an unprecedented experiment for his college chemistry project: creating a formula that will make humans stronger. After lengthy laboratory trials prove unsuccessful, a lab mishap results in the combination of his formula and a vitamin-rich breakfast cereal. Upon eating the cereal, he and his classmates discover that the intake briefly provides superhuman levels of strength and endurance. The greedy college dean attempts to take advantage of the discovery, marketing the product to a corporate cereal company; all the while, each of the parties involved don't realize that Riley's formula is the actual source for the enhanced power and strength. Things turn serious when competing cereal companies hire thugs, including A.J. Arno, to eliminate the new miracle product.[9][10][2]

Television
Main article: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1995 film)
Title U.S. release date Director Screenwriters Story by Producer
Disney's The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes February 18, 1995 (1995-02-18) Peyton Reed Joseph L. McEveety & Ryan Rowe Joseph L. McEveety Joseph B. Wallenstein

During the late-'80s and early-'90s, a number of made-for-television remake films of classic Walt Disney Productions were produced and released as a part of The Magical World of Disney series. Among them, was The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.

After a laboratory accident, the contents of a computer's encyclopedia is transferred biochemically into the brain of Dexter Riley, a less-than-average college student. After his newly acquired genius he appears on a trivia show, competing between various universities. After acing the show's quiz, and acquiring all the points, another university finds out about how he attained his skills and does everything to discredit Dexter.[11]

Main articles: Flubber (franchise) and The Shaggy Dog (franchise)

The Dexter Riley film series, takes place at the Medfield College. The college is used as a primary location, in two other Disney film franchises. The college appears in both The Shaggy Dog film series, and the Flubber film series. Collectively, the three separate film series take place within the same fictional universe.[12][13]

Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s)
Flubber film series
The Absent-Minded Professor March 16, 1961 (1961-03-16) Robert Stevenson Bill Walsh
Son of Flubber January 16, 1963 (1963-01-16) Bill Walsh & Don DaGradi Walt Disney and Bill Walsh
Flubber November 26, 1997 (1997-11-26) Les Mayfield John Hughes John Hughes and Ricardo Mestres
The Shaggy Dog film series
The Shaggy Dog March 19, 1959 (1959-03-19) Charles Barton Lillie Hayward & Bill Walsh Walt Disney and Bill Walsh
The Shaggy D.A. December 17, 1976 (1976-12-17) Robert Stevenson Don Tait Bill Anderson
The Return of the Shaggy Dog November 1, 1987 (1987-11-01) Stuart Gillard Paul Haggis & Diane Wilk Harvey Marks
The Shaggy Dog March 10, 2006 (2006-03-10) Brian Robbins Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley
and Geoff Rodkey
and Jack Amiel & Michael Begler		 David Hoberman and Tim Allen

Principal cast and characters
Character Films Television
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Now You See Him, Now You Don't The Strongest Man in the World Disney's The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
Dexter Riley Kurt Russell Kirk Cameron
Dean
Eugene "E.J. Gene" Higgins		 Joe Flynn  
A.J. Arno Cesar Romero  
Professor
Miles Quigley		 William Schallert   William Schallert Jason Bernard
Richard Schuyler Michael McGreevey  
Debbie Dawson   Joyce Menges Ann Marshall  
Harriet Crumply   Eve Arden  
Kirkwood Krinkle   Phil Silvers  
Cookie   Richard Bakalyan  
Dean
Al Valentine		   Kirk Cameron
Dean
Webster Carlson		   Dean Jones
Norwood Gills   Matthew McCurley

Additional crew & production details
Film Crew/Detail
Composer Cinematographer Editor Production
companies		 Distributing
companies		 Running time
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Robert F. Brunner Frank V. Phillips Cotton Warburton Walt Disney Productions Buena Vista Distribution Company 1hr 31mins
Now You See Him, Now You Don't 1hr 28mins
The Strongest Man in the World Andrew Jackson 1hr 32mins
Disney's
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes		 Philip Giffin Russ T. Alsobrook Jeff Gourson Walt Disney Television,
ZM Productions		 American Broadcasting Company,
Buena Vista Television		 1hr 27mins

Reception

Box office & financial performance
Film Box office gross Box office ranking Budget Worldwide
Total income		 Ref.
North America Other territories Worldwide All time
North America		 All time
worldwide
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes not available not available not available not available not available "small" $5,500,000 [14][15]
Now You See Him, Now You Don't not available not available not available not available not available not available $4,610,000 [16]
The Strongest Man in the World not available not available not available not available not available not available $6,600,000 [17]
Totals not available $16,710,000[lower-alpha 1]

Critical response
Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes 50% (6 reviews)[18] 54 (4 reviews)[19]
Now You See Him, Now You Don't 80% (5 reviews)[20] N/A
The Strongest Man in the World N/A[21] 63 (4 reviews)[22]
Disney's The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes N/A[23] N/A

Themepark attraction
Main article: Journey into Imagination with Figment

In 1999, the theme of Journey into Imagination was changed and re-titled to include Figment. The ride features Dr. Nigel Channing, from Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!, who "hosts" an area known as the Imagination Institute. The story states that Channing's grandfather established the institute, while the area features references to Dean Higgins from Dexter Riley films, as well as Wayne Szalinski from the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise, as well as Dr. Philip Brainard from Flubber. Walt Disney and Thomas Edison also make an appearance.[24][6]

Notes
  1. These numbers is an approximate calculation of the total income, The Walt Disney Company made of movie rentals. Box office numbers, are not available from the company.

References
  1. "Dexter Riley Franchise - List of movies, prequel and sequel for Dexter Riley Franchise - MyMovieRack". www.mymovierack.com.
  2. "Kurt Russell was Disney's golden boy back in the '70s". The Grand Island Independent.
  3. Arnold, Mark (October 27, 2013). "Frozen in Ice: The Story of Walt Disney Productions, 1966-1985". BearManor Media – via Google Books.
  4. "The Strongest Man in the World - Movie Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. January 5, 2009.
  5. "DIVING INTO DISNEY'S KURT RUSSELL DEXTER REILLY TRILOGY".
  6. https://www.disneyworld.eu/attractions/epcot/journey-into-imagination-with-figment/
  7. Staff, Variety; Staff, Variety (January 1, 1970). "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes".
  8. Staff, Variety; Staff, Variety (January 1, 1972). "Now You See Him, Now You Don't".
  9. Canby, Vincent (July 10, 1975). "Screen: 'Strongest Man':Disney Comedy Brews Superhuman Formula" – via NYTimes.com.
  10. "The Strongest Man in the World – What's On Disney Plus".
  11. McCarthy, John P.; McCarthy, John P. (February 13, 1995). "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Abc, Sat. Feb. 18, 8 p.m."
  12. Smith, Dave (July 3, 2012). "Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered". Disney Electronic Content – via Google Books.
  13. "Building Entertainment: The Animated Films of the Walt Disney Studio. Live-Action Edition. The Absent-Minded Professor". The Avocado. April 23, 2019.
  14. "Once Upon 1969: Kurt Russell and the decline of Disney's golden era". Vanyaland. July 23, 2019.
  15. "Big Rental Films of 1970", Variety, 6 January 1971 p 11
  16. "All-time Film Rental Champs", Variety, 7 January 1976 p 48
  17. "All-time Film Rental Champs", Variety, 7 January 1976 p 44
  18. "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  19. "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes". Metacritic.
  20. "Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  21. "The Strongest Man in the World (1975)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  22. "The Strongest Man in the World". Metacritic.
  23. "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1995)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  24. "Epcot by the Numbers". D23. October 31, 2017.
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