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The Dexter Riley film series takes place at Medfield College. The college is used as a primary location in two other Disney film franchises. The college appears in [[The Shaggy Dog (franchise)|''The Shaggy Dog'' film series]], and the [[Flubber (franchise)|''Flubber'' film series]]. Collectively, the three separate film series take place within the same fictional universe.<ref name="Medfield_GB">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEGaj75GhXcC&q=medfield+college+appeared+in+various+disney+films&pg=PT145|title=Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered|first=Dave|last=Smith|date=July 3, 2012|publisher=Disney Electronic Content|isbn=9781423178576|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="Medfield_TA">{{Cite web|url=https://the-avocado.org/2019/04/23/building-entertainment-the-animated-films-of-the-walt-disney-studio-live-action-edition-the-absent-minded-professor/|title=Building Entertainment: The Animated Films of the Walt Disney Studio. Live-Action Edition. The Absent-Minded Professor.|date=April 23, 2019|website=The Avocado}}</ref> Additionally, the [[The Missadventures of Merlin Jones|Merlin Jones film series]] take place at the in-universe sister-school, Midvale College;<ref name="MedfieldMidvale_WODP">{{cite web|url=https://whatsondisneyplus.com/disney-plus-missing-incomplete-franchises-sequels/|work=What's on Disney Plus|title=22 Missing Or Incomplete Disney+ Film And TV Franchises|author=Shepherd, Josh|date=January 15, 2021|accessdate=January 28, 2022}}</ref> meanwhile, ''[[The World's Greatest Athlete]]'' is set at the related academic school of Merrivale College.<ref name="MMM.Universities_GB">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEGaj75GhXcC&dq=merrivale+college+disney&pg=PT145|title=Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered|author=Smith, Dave|date=June 26, 2012|isbn=9781423178576|accessdate=January 28, 2022}}</ref>
The Dexter Riley film series takes place at Medfield College. The college is used as a primary location in two other Disney film franchises. The college appears in [[The Shaggy Dog (franchise)|''The Shaggy Dog'' film series]], and the [[Flubber (franchise)|''Flubber'' film series]]. Collectively, the three separate film series take place within the same fictional universe.<ref name="Medfield_GB">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEGaj75GhXcC&q=medfield+college+appeared+in+various+disney+films&pg=PT145|title=Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered|first=Dave|last=Smith|date=July 3, 2012|publisher=Disney Electronic Content|isbn=9781423178576|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="Medfield_TA">{{Cite web|url=https://the-avocado.org/2019/04/23/building-entertainment-the-animated-films-of-the-walt-disney-studio-live-action-edition-the-absent-minded-professor/|title=Building Entertainment: The Animated Films of the Walt Disney Studio. Live-Action Edition. The Absent-Minded Professor.|date=April 23, 2019|website=The Avocado}}</ref> Additionally, the [[The Missadventures of Merlin Jones|Merlin Jones film series]] take place at the in-universe sister-school, Midvale College;<ref name="MedfieldMidvale_WODP">{{cite web|url=https://whatsondisneyplus.com/disney-plus-missing-incomplete-franchises-sequels/|work=What's on Disney Plus|title=22 Missing Or Incomplete Disney+ Film And TV Franchises|author=Shepherd, Josh|date=January 15, 2021|accessdate=January 28, 2022}}</ref> meanwhile, ''[[The World's Greatest Athlete]]'' is set at the related academic school of Merrivale College.<ref name="MMM.Universities_GB">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEGaj75GhXcC&dq=merrivale+college+disney&pg=PT145|title=Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered|author=Smith, Dave|date=June 26, 2012|isbn=9781423178576|accessdate=January 28, 2022}}</ref>
⚫
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

! Film
⚫
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:99%"
⚫
! U.S. release date
! scope="col" | Film
⚫
! Director
⚫
! scope="col" | U.S. release date
⚫
! Screenwriter(s)
⚫
! scope="col" | Director
⚫
! Story by
⚫
! scope="col" | Screenwriter(s)
⚫
! Producer(s)
⚫
! scope="col" | Story by
⚫
! scope="col" | Producer(s)
|-
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | ''The Shaggy Dog'' film series
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | The Shaggy Dog film series
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Shaggy Dog (1959 film)|The Shaggy Dog]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[The Shaggy Dog (1959 film)|The Shaggy Dog]]
| {{start date|1959|03|19|}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|1959|03|19|}}
| [[Charles Barton (director)|Charles Barton]]
| [[Charles Barton (director)|Charles Barton]]
| colspan="2"| [[Lillie Hayward]] and Bill Walsh
| colspan="2" | [[Lillie Hayward]] and Bill Walsh
| Walt Disney and Bill Walsh
| Walt Disney and Bill Walsh
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Shaggy D.A.]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[The Shaggy D.A.]]
| {{start date|1976|12|17|}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|1976|12|17|}}
| Robert Stevenson
| Robert Stevenson
| colspan="2"| Don Tait
| colspan="2"| Don Tait
| [[Bill Anderson (producer)|Bill Anderson]]
| [[Bill Anderson (producer)|Bill Anderson]]
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Return of the Shaggy Dog]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[The Return of the Shaggy Dog]]
| {{start date|1987|11|01|}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|1987|11|01|}}
| [[Stuart Gillard]]
| [[Stuart Gillard]]
| colspan="2"| [[Paul Haggis]] and Diane Wilk
| colspan="2"| [[Paul Haggis]] and Diane Wilk
| Harvey Marks
| Harvey Marks
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Shaggy Dog (2006 film)|The Shaggy Dog]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[The Shaggy Dog (2006 film)|The Shaggy Dog]]
| {{start date|2006|03|10|}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|2006|03|10|}}
| [[Brian Robbins]]
| [[Brian Robbins]]
| colspan="2"| [[Cormac and Marianne Wibberley|Cormac Wibberley and Marianne Wibberley]] <br />and [[Geoff Rodkey]] <br />and [[Jack Amiel]] and [[Michael Begler]]
| colspan="2"| [[Cormac and Marianne Wibberley|Cormac Wibberley and Marianne Wibberley]] <br />and [[Geoff Rodkey]] <br />and [[Jack Amiel]] and [[Michael Begler]]
| [[David Hoberman]] and [[Tim Allen]]
| [[David Hoberman]] and [[Tim Allen]]
|-
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | ''Flubber'' film series
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Flubber film series
|-
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[The Absent-Minded Professor]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[The Absent-Minded Professor]]
| {{start date|1961|03|16|}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|1961|03|16|}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Robert Stevenson (director)|Robert Stevenson]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Robert Stevenson (director)|Robert Stevenson]]
| colspan="3"| [[Bill Walsh (producer)|Bill Walsh]]
| colspan="3"| [[Bill Walsh (producer)|Bill Walsh]]
|-
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Son of Flubber]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[Son of Flubber]]
| {{start date|1963|01|16|}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|1963|01|16|}}
| colspan="2"| Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi
| colspan="2"| Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi
| [[Walt Disney]] and Bill Walsh
| [[Walt Disney]] and Bill Walsh
|-
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Flubber (film)|Flubber]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[Flubber (film)|Flubber]]
| {{start date|1997|11|26|}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{start date|1997|11|26|}}
| [[Les Mayfield]]
| [[Les Mayfield]]
| colspan="2"| [[John Hughes (filmmaker)|John Hughes]]
| colspan="2"| [[John Hughes (filmmaker)|John Hughes]]
| John Hughes and Ricardo Mestres
| John Hughes and Ricardo Mestres
|-
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | ''Merlin Jones'' film series
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Merlin Jones film series
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Misadventures of Merlin Jones]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[The Misadventures of Merlin Jones]]
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1964|02|11}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|1964|02|11}}
| rowspan="2"| Robert Stevenson
| rowspan="2"| Robert Stevenson
| [[Alfred Lewis Levitt|Tom August & Helen August]]
| [[Alfred Lewis Levitt|Tom August & Helen August]]
Line 159: Line 158:
| rowspan="2"| Walt Disney and [[Ron W. Miller|Ron Miller]]
| rowspan="2"| Walt Disney and [[Ron W. Miller|Ron Miller]]
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Monkey's Uncle]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[The Monkey's Uncle]]
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1965|08|18}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|1965|08|18}}
| colspan="2"| Tom August & Helen August
| colspan="2"| Tom August & Helen August
|-
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Other films
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Other films
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The World's Greatest Athlete]]''
| style="text-align:left" | [[The World's Greatest Athlete]]
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1973|02|01}}
| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|1973|02|01}}
| [[Robert Scheerer]]
| [[Robert Scheerer]]
| colspan="2"| [[Dee Caruso]] <br />and [[Gerald Gardner (writer)|Gerald Gardner]]
| colspan="2"| [[Dee Caruso]] <br />and [[Gerald Gardner (writer)|Gerald Gardner]]

Revision as of 21:52, 23 August 2022

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

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 and taking place at the fictional Medfield College, follow the science class led by Professor Quigley, and their experiments, projects, and adventures. The college, under the direction of Dean Eugene Higgins (Joe Flynn) becomes involved in the nefarious plans of billionaire-turned-criminal, A. J. Arno (Cesar Romero).[3]

The film trilogy received mixed 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

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)

Main article: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

At Medfield College, a non-intellectual named Dexter Riley becomes brilliant overnight. Following an electrical accident that transfers a donated computer memory into his brain, he gains the ability to learn any knowledge instantly and perfectly. After Riley gains fame and attention via television appearances, the dean of a competing university decides to ruin his reputation. At the same time, A. J. Arno, a secret technological crime boss with an upstanding public persona, pursues the student and his school because the computer he 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 science student at Medfield College who accidentally 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 the formula 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 Medfield College, decides to create a formula that will make humans stronger. After several unsuccessful attempts, a lab mishap combines his formula with a vitamin-rich breakfast cereal. He and his classmates discover that eating it briefly provides superhuman levels of strength and endurance. The greedy college dean attempts to take advantage of the discovery, marketing the product to a cereal corporation. Competing cereal companies hire thugs, including A. J. Arno, to eliminate the new miracle product.[9][10][2]

Film 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 Herman Groves & Joseph L. McEveety Bill Anderson

Television

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

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, 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 Medfield College. The college is used as a primary location in two other Disney film franchises. The college appears in 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] Additionally, the Merlin Jones film series take place at the in-universe sister-school, Midvale College;[14] meanwhile, The World's Greatest Athlete is set at the related academic school of Merrivale College.[15]

Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s)
The Shaggy Dog film series
The Shaggy Dog March 19, 1959 (1959-03-19) Charles Barton Lillie Hayward and 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 and Diane Wilk Harvey Marks
The Shaggy Dog March 10, 2006 (2006-03-10) Brian Robbins Cormac Wibberley and Marianne Wibberley
and Geoff Rodkey
and Jack Amiel and Michael Begler 		David Hoberman and Tim Allen
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 and Don DaGradi Walt Disney and Bill Walsh
Flubber November 26, 1997 (1997-11-26) Les Mayfield John Hughes John Hughes and Ricardo Mestres
Merlin Jones film series
The Misadventures of Merlin Jones February 11, 1964 (1964-02-11) Robert Stevenson Tom August & Helen August Bill Walsh Walt Disney and Ron Miller
The Monkey's Uncle August 18, 1965 (1965-08-18) Tom August & Helen August
Other films
The World's Greatest Athlete February 1, 1973 (1973-02-01) Robert Scheerer Dee Caruso
and Gerald Gardner 		Bill Walsh

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 / Chillie Richard Bakalyan  
Dean
Al Valentine 		  Larry Miller
Dean
Webster Carlson 		  Dean Jones
Norwood Gills   Matthew McCurley

Additional crew and 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 92 minutes
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 		87 minutes

Reception

For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.

Box office and 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 — — — — — — $5,500,000 [16][17]
Now You See Him, Now You Don't — — — — — — $4,610,000 [18]
The Strongest Man in the World — — — — — — $6,600,000 [19]
Totals   $16,710,000[a]

Critical response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes 50% (6 reviews)[20] 54 (4 reviews)[21]
Now You See Him, Now You Don't 80% (5 reviews)[22] —
The Strongest Man in the World —[23] 63 (4 reviews)[24]
Disney's The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes —[25] —

Theme park 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 the 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.[26][6]

Notes

  1. ^ These numbers is an approximate calculation of the total income The Walt Disney Company made of film 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. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b https://www.disneyworld.eu/attractions/epcot/journey-into-imagination-with-figment/
  7. ^ "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes". Variety. January 1, 1970.
  8. ^ "Now You See Him, Now You Don't". Variety. January 1, 1972.
  9. ^ Canby, Vincent (July 10, 1975). "Screen: 'Strongest Man':Disney Comedy Brews Superhuman Formula". The New York Times.
  10. ^ "The Strongest Man in the World – What's On Disney Plus". 31 December 2019.
  11. ^ 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. ISBN 9781423178576 – 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. ^ Shepherd, Josh (January 15, 2021). "22 Missing Or Incomplete Disney+ Film And TV Franchises". What's on Disney Plus. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  15. ^ Smith, Dave (June 26, 2012). Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered. ISBN 9781423178576. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  16. ^ "Once Upon 1969: Kurt Russell and the decline of Disney's golden era". Vanyaland. July 23, 2019.
  17. ^ "Big Rental Films of 1970", Variety, 6 January 1971 p 11
  18. ^ "All-time Film Rental Champs", Variety, 7 January 1976 p 48
  19. ^ "All-time Film Rental Champs", Variety, 7 January 1976 p 44
  20. ^ "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  21. ^ "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes". Metacritic.
  22. ^ "Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  23. ^ "The Strongest Man in the World (1975)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  24. ^ "The Strongest Man in the World". Metacritic.
  25. ^ "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1995)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  26. ^ "Epcot by the Numbers". D23. October 31, 2017.
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