1 Computer FTPs Dexter
Kurt Russell plays a student of Medfield College named Dexter. When his class talks the local model citizen/bookie into donating a computer to the college, weird things start to happen. When the computer blows a circuit Dexter volunteers to get the new part. When he returns it is pouring down rain and he doesn't realize the computer got wet too. When he replaces the circuit board and touchs two wires he gets zapped with the computers memory. Now he seems to be the smartest man in the world. When everyone wants him and the bookie will stop at nothing to shut him up, things get funny.
I'm giving the movie five stars for entertainment and my wife gives it five stars for Kurt being so cute then. My wife and I love this movie. The movie is wonderful early Disney comedy at its best. Kurt Russell and the rest of the cast probably had a blast making this movie. Fans of the Disney movies "The Strongest Man in the World" and "Now You See Him, Now You Don't" will want this one too. Great comedy for the whole family. For the price the transfer is decent but the movie would be better in a Platinum Edition with Widescreen, commentary, making of, and other extras.
2 A little note about the Fullscreen DVD...
This film was FILMED in fullscreen. Just thought I'd let everyone know. It's aspect ratio is 1.33:1, meaning it's a "full frame" film. In order for it to be widescreen, the top and bottom portions of the full frame image would have to be covered with black bars, in order to create a widescreen image. This process is called "Soft Matte". Anyway, the DVD for this film does present the whole image for this movie.
3 DISNEY DOESN'T GET IT!!!!
No wonder the company is about to be taken over and broken up -- DVD was introduced to be an alternative to video, to offer more than video: better picture, more extras, and most importantly, more picture. Letterboxing. Widescreen. The complete image. So what does Disney do? They take some of their most beloved live-action films such as this one, and dump it on DVD in full-frame editions. What is the point of that? Who isn't used to widescreen DVDs yet? Why should I waste my money replacing my old Disney videos with the same crappy full screen image as before? Disney just doesn't get it, and their sales show it.
4 The Now Generation, Disney Style
A decade before "Escape from New York" transformed him into action hero beefcake, Kurt Russell played a hunky, fresh-faced teenager who exuberantly outwitted older authority figures in eight Disney movies, from "The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit" (1968) to "The Strongest Man in the World" (1975). They were not box office bonanzas, but they effectively mollified adult fears during the era of Woodstock and Kent State by presenting a harmless, good-natured youth rebellion (and one limited to white, middle class, hetero kids).
"The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" is the first of Kurt's three forays as Dexter Riley, a mild-mannered misfit vaguely studying science at Medfield College -- essentially the same role that Tommy Kirk played in "The Misadventures of Merlin Jones" and "The Monkey's Uncle." But Tommy, recently out and outed, was obviously miserable and struggling with the role, and his co-stars hysterically overacted to keep him in line. Kurt is relaxed and confident, having fun with the role. [I feel] there is still a gay subtext, but it occurs naturally in the interaction of the characters (several played by gay actors).
There is a subdued hetero love interest and a lot of pleasant buddy-bonding, but, as in most collegiate movies, the major plot dynamic is in the conflict between exuberant youth and mendacious adulthood.
5 5 Stars for Fun & Kurt!
I agree with many others whose reviews echo my own ... DISNEY, get a clue WIDESCREEN FORMAT PLEASE!... Lack of Widescreen is the sole reason I haven't purchased this classic Kurt Russell film. Great childhood memory, a film I'd love to share with my kids who like the grown-up Kurt & would love to see him in his 'Disney day's. Hasn't anyone @ Disney been keeping up with technology? Haven't they heard of HDTV? Have they purchased a DVD lately? If it's not widescreen, it's not worth the investment. Try again Disney,I'm waiting with my $ in hand!
6 Disney Cares Nothing For It's Audience
This is a very fun, silly, wholesome movie, with a very likable cast, who seemed to be having a ball.
I have wonderful memories of watching this on TV with my parents back in the early 70's. We thought it was hilarious then, and it is still enjoyable almost 35 years later!
HOWEVER, I have not yet bought this or any other classic Disney movie on DVD, nor will I until the Disney studio gets it right and releases them in widescreen format, and with some good extras.
Unfortunately, Disney tends to ignore the true audience for these (pre-1980) classics, and treats us as if we were all the same age as the target audience for their current movies and shows; e.g; Deleting sequences deemed 'politically incorrect' or 'offensive', etc...
If there are any Disney execs reading this, trust me, there are plenty of older Disney fans, well over 18 years old, who simply want to enjoy the classic movies and TV shows we grew up with, unencumbered by censorship or ads for the latest kiddie show.
C'mon Disney, get with the program!
7 Disney Cares Nothing For It's Audience
This is a very fun, silly, wholesome movie, with a very likable cast, who seemed to be having a ball.
I have wonderful memories of watching this on TV with my parents back in the early 70's. We thought it was hilarious then, and it is still enjoyable almost 35 years later!
HOWEVER, I have not yet bought this or any other classic Disney movie on DVD, nor will I until the Disney studio gets it right and releases them in widescreen format, and with some good extras.
Unfortunately, Disney tends to ignore the true audience for these (pre-1980) classics, and treats us as if we were all the same age as the target audience for their current movies and shows; e.g; Deleting sequences deemed 'politically incorrect' or 'offensive', etc...
If there are any Disney execs reading this, trust me, there are plenty of older Disney fans, well over 18 years old, who simply want to enjoy the classic movies and TV shows we grew up with, unencumbered by censorship or ads for the latest kiddie show.
C'mon Disney, get with the program!
8 Disney Cares Nothing For It's Audience
This is a very fun, silly, wholesome movie, with a very likable cast, who seemed to be having a ball.
I have wonderful memories of watching this on TV with my parents back in the early 70's. We thought it was hilarious then, and it is still enjoyable almost 35 years later!
HOWEVER, I have not yet bought this or any other classic Disney movie on DVD, nor will I until the Disney studio gets it right and releases them in widescreen format, and with some good extras.
Unfortunately, Disney tends to ignore the true audience for these (pre-1980) classics, and treats us as if we were all the same age as the target audience for their current movies and shows; e.g; Deleting sequences deemed 'politically incorrect' or 'offensive', etc...
If there are any Disney execs reading this, trust me, there are plenty of adult Disney fans, well over 18 years old, who want to enjoy the classic movies and TV shows we grew up with. There is an enormous nostalgia market which you are overlooking!
C'mon Disney, get with the program!
9 Disney Cares Nothing For It's Audience
This is a very fun, silly, wholesome movie, with a very likable cast, who seemed to be having a ball.
I have wonderful memories of watching this on TV with my parents back in the early 70's. We thought it was hilarious then, and it is still enjoyable almost 35 years later!
HOWEVER, I have not yet bought this or any other classic Disney movie on DVD, nor will I until the Disney studio gets it right and releases them in widescreen format, and with some good extras.
Unfortunately, Disney tends to ignore the true audience for these (pre-1980) classics, and treats us as if we were all the same age as the target audience for their current movies and shows; e.g; Deleting sequences deemed 'politically incorrect' or 'offensive', no theatrical trailers or other extras, etc...
If there are any Disney execs reading this, trust me, there are plenty of older Disney fans, well over 18 years old, who want to enjoy the classic movies and TV shows we grew up with.
C'mon Disney, get with the program!
10 Disney Cares Nothing For It's Audience
This is a very fun, silly, wholesome movie, with a very likable cast, who seemed to be having a ball.
I have wonderful memories of watching this on TV with my parents back in the early 70's. We thought it was hilarious then, and it is still enjoyable almost 35 years later!
HOWEVER, I have not bought this or any other classic Disney movie on DVD yet, nor will I, until the Disney studio gets it right and releases them in widescreen format, and with some good extras.
Unfortunately, Disney tends to ignore the true audience for these (pre-1980) classics, and treats us as if we were all the same age as the target audience for their current movies and shows; e.g; Deleting sequences deemed 'politically incorrect' or 'offensive', no theatrical trailers or other extras, etc...
If there are any Disney execs reading this, trust me, there are plenty of older Disney fans, well over 18 years old, who want to enjoy the classic movies and TV shows we grew up with.
C'mon Disney, get with the program!
11 Gotta agree. Good Movie. Horrible DVD
I very much enjoy the movie but Disney cares nothing about the viewers. Fullscreen only and not DVD quality.
Hope someone from Disney who cares is listening.
12 one of disney's best.
without a doubt, disney, best comedyoutside of "shaggy dog". Joe Flynn, as the dean gives one of the greatest, comic acts, of all time. It`s a shame, That he didn`t getHis Props!
13 no widescreen
First off, this is a great and hysterically funny movie. I have seen it a dozen times and own it on vhs. But I refuse to buy even a great movie like this one when Disney is foisting it on us without widescreen, but getting the same price as other studios for their dvd's. And where are the extras? theatrical trailers, behind the scenes, anything? See the Vault Disney collection to see how all the Disney movies should be treated.
It is agood movie, but I will keep my VHS and hold out.
14 Disney never disappoints me!
What a fun movie this is. Kurt Russell made several Disney movies around this time making a smooth transition to adult roles. I give this movie 5 stars for the great family entertainment provided. - - - BUT - - - Sorry if I sound like a broken record; ZERO STARS to Disney for full screen format (as usual). (Eisner, do you ever read these reviews?)
15 Disney Meets the Mob
Fresh off his "Toby Tyler" days, in the early 70s, Kurt Russell was just about to blossom into what would eventually become his trademark/leading man/hunk persona in this fluffy little outing. Kurt, in a very Peter-Parker-esque maneuver, gets the entire contents of a mega-computer's memory (and cognitive abilities) instantly downloaded into his teenaged human brain during a rainstorm. Problem is, the computer in question belongs to a vicious mobster played by Cesar Romero, and it also contains the mob's info on their illegal ongoing activities. Best way to watch this one is to treat it as if it were dead/Quentin Tarrantino serious. For all it's pablum Disney humor, the core story has actually been imitated many times since, particularly in films like "The Lawnmower Man."
16 dune buggies, super computers, and the joker without makeup
I can't believe it took Disney so long to release this... It is an all time classic film from Disney and I think it's held up very well. Joe Flynn, Russell (pre-Goldie), and the tall blond conservationist guy from St. Elsewhere (i think) all join in on this madcap late 60's early 70's romp. Big computers, apple jack, and college hi-jinks. I was only 7 when it came out and probably saw it first a few years after its release and I still love it. It really is like a time capsule back to that time (Maybe more of a Disney version of the times than a real portrait but nevertheless it does make you wish we could go back to simpler times). PS: A good movie for the whole family.
17 The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
Kurt Russell is awesome as a Medfield College student who accidently gets shocked by a computer and becomes computer-like himself. This movie is hilarious and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Russell is supported by wonderful cast in Joe Flynn (Now You See Him, Now You Don't) and Ceaser Romero (the Joker from the original Batman). Also highly reccomended; The Barefoot Exective and Now You See Him, Now you Don't.
18 Outstandin Family Fare
Positively hilarious. Impossible to find in most video stores, this Disney film from the late 60s has Kurt Russell as a college boy transformed into a walking computer. Small children <5 won't get the humor, but for the 6-13 age group, it will be quite the entertainer. Extremely dated, but wonderfully reminiscent of days gone by. A personal favorite of my entire family.
