What if there was a movie like Police Academy that revolved around the world of flight attendants? The answer comes in this hilarious underrated 80’s comedy.
Since being a kid, Philo Henderson has always dreamt of being a pilot. However, an eye condition has prevented him from living his dream. When a test flight simulation through L.A. goes horribly wrong, his friend George comes up with the idea of stewardess school. The Wiedenmeyer School is the perfect place as anyone can now join and become a flight attendant and alongside Philo and George, a new crop of misfits are joining this year.
The group includes resident klutz Kelly, former woman of the night Sugar, portly Jolene, flamboyant Larry, punk biker Cindy, wrestler Wanda, and third generation stewardess Pimmie. Under the eye of school supervisor and drill sergeant Miss Grummet, the group attempts to overcome all obstacles Grummet brings to them. When they are in danger of failing, the group finds a savior in Mr. Stromboli, whose new airline is in dire need of a crew. Will their maiden flight be this group’s last as there are more obstacles to overcome, including a possible mad bomber?
Writer-director Ken Blancato definitely had to have been influenced by the Police Academy franchise alongside others when it came to this film. In the era where there would be plenty of T&A, there is only one major scene with that in it as the film focuses more on physical humor, slapstick, and language as well as some obvious sexual humor that makes this film all in all one of the most underrated comedies of the 1980s.
The cast brings the various personalities to life. Brett Cullen’s Philo is the nearsighted dreamer who must wear special lenses and falls for resident klutz Kelly, played by Mary Cadorette (fresh off her stint as Jack Tripper’s fiancé on the series Three’s a Crowd). Donald Most brings his Ralph Malph character from Happy Days to the role of George Bunkle and perhaps this was the perfect casting thanks to Most’s hilarious reactions and one-liners. Judy Landers, who graces the film’s marketing materials on a motorcycle, is really hilarious as the eye candy Sugar, a former woman of the night trying to better herself.
It is refreshing to see Sandahl Bergman out of her sword and sorcery phase to bring her toughness in a comedy in the role of wrestler Wanda, who goes to the school to help tame her rough style, unless you’re a passenger who has to play touchy feely. Corinne Bohrer, ironically joining the Police Academy franchise with 1987’s Citizens on Patrol, may look like a punker but comes off as somewhat sweet. Wendie Jo Sperber’s Jolene is reminiscent of her character in the 1985 film Moving Violations, someone who is trying to better themselves. Revenge of the Nerds’ Julia Montgomery is hilariously perky as Pimmie, the 3rd-generation attendant with voice actor Rob Paulsen rounds out the cast as the flamboyant Larry, who has a hilarious scene while training when he attempts to adjust a passenger’s seatbelt.
The third act is perhaps one of the most insane, when the crew begins their first job out of graduation. Working at Stromboli Airlines, their maiden voyage features the legendary Sherman Helmsley as blind passenger Mr. Buttersworth, a mad bomber, and a passenger who is drugged only to get some relief from Sugar of all people in a way you can expect.
Stewardess School is an underrated 80s comedy with minimal T&A, but loads of gags and a cast that will make you feel like you’re a part of this crew.
WFG RATING: A
Columbia Pictures presents a Delphi V/Summa Entertainment production in association with Triton. Director: Ken Blancato. Producer: Phil Feldman. Writer: Ken Blancato. Cinematography: Fred J. Koenekamp. Editing: Lou Lombardo and Kenneth C. Paonessa.
Cast: Brett Cullen, Mary Cadorette, Donald Most, Sandahl Bergman, Julia Montgomery, Wendie Jo Sperber, Judy Landers, Rob Paulsen, Corinne Bohrer, William Bogert, Vicki Frederick, Dennis Burkley, Earl Boen, Sherman Helmsley, Rod McCary.
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