On this day May 18, 1984, the teen comedy Making the Grade premiered in theaters. Directed by Dorian Walker, the film starred Judd Nelson, Jonna Lee, Gordon Jump, Walter Olkewicz, Ronald Lacey and Dana Olsen. It brought a prep school twist to the classic class clash formula of the 1980s, earning 4.5 million dollars at the box office.
The plot followed a streetwise hustler who is paid to pose as a wealthy student at an elite prep school. As expected, chaos, comedy and unlikely friendships follow. While not a major hit at the time, the film gave Judd Nelson one of his earliest leading roles just before his breakout performance in The Breakfast Club.
Making the Grade fit squarely into the era’s growing trend of youth comedies, filled with mischief, rich versus poor tension and fish out of water humor that audiences came to expect during the decade.
Fun fact: Making the Grade marked Judd Nelson’s first major film appearance before he became part of the Brat Pack the following year.
The plot followed a streetwise hustler who is paid to pose as a wealthy student at an elite prep school. As expected, chaos, comedy and unlikely friendships follow. While not a major hit at the time, the film gave Judd Nelson one of his earliest leading roles just before his breakout performance in The Breakfast Club.
Making the Grade fit squarely into the era’s growing trend of youth comedies, filled with mischief, rich versus poor tension and fish out of water humor that audiences came to expect during the decade.
Fun fact: Making the Grade marked Judd Nelson’s first major film appearance before he became part of the Brat Pack the following year.
