Dexter Riley

Dexter Riley
File:Dexter Riley - collection boxset artwork.jpg Official home video release box set collection artwork.
Based on	Characters created by Joseph L. McEveety
Starring	Kurt Russell Cesar Romero Joe Flynn (See cast list)
Release dates	1969–1995
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$16,710,000 (total of three films)

The Dexter Riley film series consists of American science fiction-comedy films, centered around an eponymous college student (Kurt Russell). 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).

The film trilogy received mixed reviews, while its television film remake was poorly received. The original trilogy has acquired a cult classic status. 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.

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 and Herman Groves		Bill Anderson

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.

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.

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.

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 and Ryan Rowe	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.

Related films

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 Shaggy Dog and the Flubber film series. Collectively, the three separate film series take place within the same fictional universe. Additionally, the Merlin Jones film series take place at the in-universe sister-school, Midvale College; meanwhile, The World's Greatest Athlete is set at the related academic school of Merrivale College.

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	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$5,500,000
Now You See Him, Now You Don't	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$4,610,000
The Strongest Man in the World	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$6,600,000
Totals							$16,710,000

Critical response

Film	Rotten Tomatoes	Metacritic
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes	50% (6 reviews)	54 (4 reviews)
Now You See Him, Now You Don't	80% (5 reviews)	N/A
The Strongest Man in the World	N/A	63 (4 reviews)
Disney's The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes	N/A	N/A

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.