Porky's
Encyclopedia
Porky's is a 1982 comedy film about the escapades of teenagers at the fictional Angel Beach High School in Florida
in 1954. It was released in the United States in 1982, and spawned two sequels: Porky's II: The Next Day
(1983) and Porky's Revenge! (1985) and influenced many writers in the teen film
genre. It is the second-highest grossing Canadian-produced film in history behind Resident Evil: Afterlife
.
A subplot of the film concerns the boys' peeping on female students in their locker room shower through unused drain openings. After (apparently) several unsuccessful attempts, Tommy, Billy and Pee Wee hit "the mother load ... the biggest beaver shoot in the history of Florida" (several naked girls showering), but Pee Wee gives them away when he shouts at a particularly fat girl (who has been blocking his view) to move so he can see. While a few girls run out, most stay, finding the situation funny. To test their attitude, Tommy sticks his tongue out through his peephole, but gets it smeared with soap. Infuriated, he drops his pants and sticks his penis through the opening just before female coach Beulah Balbricker (who has a running feud with Tommy) walks into the shower area. Spotting the protruding member, she sneaks up on Tommy, grabs his protruding part and pulls with all her might. Fortunately, Tommy finally manages to pull free and escape, but Beulah is now determined to prove that the offending member (which has a mole on it) belongs to Tommy, going so far as to request that Principal Carter hold a police-type line-up of the boys in the nude so she can identify it. The film ends with Ms. Balbricker sneaking out of the bushes to ambush Tommy and actually dragging his pants down, but she is pulled off of him by police and dragged away screaming that she saw "it" and that she can identify him.
Rotten Tomatoes
gives the film a score of 32% based on reviews from 22 critics.
Film critics Roger Ebert
and Gene Siskel
were offended by Porky's and later called it one of the worst films of 1982.
, Porky's was produced by the Canadian company Astral Media
. As a result, Porky's can be classed as the highest-grossing Canadian film of all time in Canada's domestic box office, with a total of C$11 million by 1999.
In October 2006, Bon Cop, Bad Cop
appeared to surpass Porky's in nominal box office revenues, but as of the end of its theatrical run, Bon Cop, Bad Cop had not surpassed the inflation-adjusted revenues for Porky's. Taking inflation into account, Porky's has grossed more than twice what Bon Cop, Bad Cop has earned to date. Porky's is also the second highest-grossing Canadian film of all time internationally.
and produced by Harold Greenberg
, who founded Astral Communications (now known as Astral Media
). James Komack
directed the third film, Porky's Revenge
. Clark based the original Porky's on actual occurrences at Boca Ciega High School
in Gulfport, Florida
and Fort Lauderdale High School
in the early 1960s, and on a joint called Porky's in Oakland Park, Florida
.
The first film featured Canadian actors Art Hindle
, Doug McGrath
, and Susan Clark
. The British-Canadian actress Kim Cattrall
appeared in one of her first major roles in a sex scene in the boys' locker room. Her character's nickname was "Lassie
" due to the way she howled during intercourse.
released all three films in an "Ultimate Collection" box set.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1954. It was released in the United States in 1982, and spawned two sequels: Porky's II: The Next Day
Porky's II: The Next Day
Porky's II: The Next Day is the 1983 sequel to the 1982 film Porky's. The film is written and directed by Bob Clark.-Plot:After dealing to Porky the "fatal" blow that was coming to him, the gang from Angel Beach is ready for a new challenge: The High School Drama Club is producing a Shakespeare...
(1983) and Porky's Revenge! (1985) and influenced many writers in the teen film
Teen film
Teen films is a film genre targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers, such as coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst, and alienation...
genre. It is the second-highest grossing Canadian-produced film in history behind Resident Evil: Afterlife
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Resident Evil: Afterlife is a 2010 Canadian-German 3D science-fiction horror action film written and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. It stars Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts, Spencer Locke, Boris Kodjoe, and Wentworth Miller. The film marks Anderson's second time to direct in...
.
Plot
The main plot concerns the efforts of a group of Florida high school students in 1954 intent on losing their virginity. The group consists of bad boy Tommy Turner, socially-awkward Edward "Pee Wee" Morris, star athlete Anthony "Meat" Tuperello, proud redneck Mickey Jarvis, Billy McCarthy (who acts as the voice of reason for the group), and bigot Tim Cavanaugh. They (minus Billy) travel to Porky's bar located outside of town on the basis of a rumor that if one pays Porky the owner, one can hire a prostitute. Initially reluctant, he takes the kids' money and promises them "a night to remember" and then humiliates them by dumping them in the swamp. When the group demand their money back, the sheriff, who turns out to be Porky's brother, arrives to drive them away, but not before his minions extort the rest of their money and cause them more embarrassment. After Mickey (who has repeatedly gone back to Porky's for revenge and been repeatedly beaten up) is beaten so badly he has to be hospitalized, the gang becomes hellbent on exacting revenge on Porky and his brother, eventually succeeding in sinking his bar in the swamp. Porky and his men, joined by the sheriff, chase after the group, but they make it across the county line (where Porky's brother is out of jurisdiction), where they are met by a group of the local police officers, one of whom is Mickey's older brother Ted, and the high school band. After Ted repeatedly damages Porky's car, he says that all charges against Porky for driving an unsafe vehicle will be dropped if the night's events are forgotten. Because the boys were too young to be legally allowed in Porky's in the first place, he and his brother have no choice but to agree. The film ends with the group getting their revenge and Pee Wee finally losing his virginity.A subplot of the film concerns the boys' peeping on female students in their locker room shower through unused drain openings. After (apparently) several unsuccessful attempts, Tommy, Billy and Pee Wee hit "the mother load ... the biggest beaver shoot in the history of Florida" (several naked girls showering), but Pee Wee gives them away when he shouts at a particularly fat girl (who has been blocking his view) to move so he can see. While a few girls run out, most stay, finding the situation funny. To test their attitude, Tommy sticks his tongue out through his peephole, but gets it smeared with soap. Infuriated, he drops his pants and sticks his penis through the opening just before female coach Beulah Balbricker (who has a running feud with Tommy) walks into the shower area. Spotting the protruding member, she sneaks up on Tommy, grabs his protruding part and pulls with all her might. Fortunately, Tommy finally manages to pull free and escape, but Beulah is now determined to prove that the offending member (which has a mole on it) belongs to Tommy, going so far as to request that Principal Carter hold a police-type line-up of the boys in the nude so she can identify it. The film ends with Ms. Balbricker sneaking out of the bushes to ambush Tommy and actually dragging his pants down, but she is pulled off of him by police and dragged away screaming that she saw "it" and that she can identify him.
Cast
- Dan MonahanDan MonahanDan Monahan is an American actor, best known for his role as Edward "Pee Wee" Morris in the 1980s Porky's trilogy of teen films.-Early life:He graduated from Olmsted Falls High School in Olmsted Falls, Ohio.- Filmography :...
as Edward "Pee Wee" Morris - Wyatt KnightWyatt KnightWyatt Knight was an American actor, best known for his role as Tommy Turner in the Porky's trilogy.-Career:...
as Tommy Turner - Mark HerrierMark HerrierMark Herrier is an American actor and film director, best known for his role as Billy in the 80's teen trilogy Porky's. He graduated from Lompoc High School in 1972....
as Billy McCarthy - Roger WilsonRoger Wilson (actor)Roger Wilson is an American actor in movies and television,notably the first two Porky's movies and "Thunder Alley ".He attended Woodberry Forest School and graduated in 1975 with Marvin Bush, brother of former President George W. Bush...
as Mickey Jarvis - Tony GaniosTony GaniosTony Ganios is a Greek American actor. In 1979 he made his film debut as a heroic tough-guy named 'Perry' in The Wanderers. He is probably best known for his role as Anthony 'Meat' Tuperello in the 1982 hit comedy Porky's, the 1983 sequel Porky's II: The Next Day and the 1985 sequel Porky's...
as Anthony "Meat" Tuperello - Cyril O'Reilly as Timmy Cavanaugh
- Kaki HunterKaki HunterKaki Hunter . is an American actress, architect & writer. As an actress she first found moderate success in starring roles in the movies Roadie , Willie & Phil , Whose Life Is It Anyway?, and Just The Way You Are with Kristy McNichol...
as Wendy Williams - Scott Colomby as Brian Schwartz
- Nancy ParsonsNancy ParsonsNancy Anne Parsons was an American actress. She was best-known for her role as Beulah Balbricker in the 1982 cult film Porky's and its sequels...
as Coach Beulah Balbricker - Boyd GainesBoyd GainesBoyd Payne Gaines is an American stage, film, and television actor.Gaines was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Ida and James Gaines. He has appeared in a number of films and television shows, including Fame, L.A...
as Coach Roy Brackett - Bill HindmanBill HindmanBill Hindman was an American actor, best known for his role as the older, good-humored Coach Goodenough in 1980s teen trilogy Porky's.-External links:*...
as Coach Goodenough - Doug McGrathDoug McGrathDoug McGrath, born in Nova Scotia, Canada on Aug 21,1939 is a Canadian actor whose most notable role was of "Peter" in the acclaimed Canadian film Goin' Down the Road. He also played in acclaimed Canadian films Wedding in White, The Hard Part Begins and Black Christmas...
as Coach Warren - Eric ChristmasEric ChristmasEric Cuthbert Christmas was a British stage and screen actor, with over 40 films and several more television roles to his credit. He was well-known for his role as Mr. Carter, the principal of Angel Beach High School, in the 1982 hit comedy Porky's, the 1983 sequel Porky's II: The Next Day, and...
as Mr. Carter - Kim CattrallKim CattrallKim Victoria Cattrall is an English actress. She is known for her role as Samantha Jones in the HBO comedy/romance series Sex and the City, and for her leading roles in the 1980s films Police Academy, Big Trouble in Little China, Mannequin, and Porky's...
as Miss "Lassie" Honeywell - Chuck MitchellChuck MitchellChuck Mitchell was an American actor, known for his role as "Porky" in the raunchy 1982 cult classic movie Porky's...
as Porky Wallace - Art HindleArt HindleArthur Hindle is a Canadian actor and director.Hindle was born in Halifax. His family moved to Toronto while he was a child. Although shy as a youngster, he grew to be a rebellious and independent teenager...
as Ted Jarvis - Isle Earl as Mrs. Morris
- Alex KarrasAlex KarrasAlexander George "Alex" Karras , nicknamed "The Mad Duck", is a former football player, professional wrestler, and actor, best known for his stint with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League from 1958–1962 and 1964-1970 and for his role as Mongo in the film Blazing Saddles...
as Sheriff Wallace - Susan ClarkSusan ClarkSusan Clark is a Canadian actress, possibly best-known for her role as Katherine on the American television sitcom Webster, on which she appeared with her husband, Alex Karras.-Personal life:...
as Cherry Forever - Rod Ball as Steve
- Jack Mulacahy as Frank Bell
- Lisa O'Reilly as Ginny
- Wayne MaunderWayne MaunderWayne E. Maunder is a retired actor, originally from Canada, who starred in three American television series between 1967 and 1974.-Three television series:...
as Cavanaugh - Randy Rosenthal as Student
Critical response
Porky's received mixed to negative reviews. Review aggregatorReview aggregator
A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services . This system stores the reviews and then uses them for purposes such as: creating a website for users to view the reviews, selling information to third parties about consumer tendencies and creating databases for...
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
gives the film a score of 32% based on reviews from 22 critics.
Film critics Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
and Gene Siskel
Gene Siskel
Eugene Kal "Gene" Siskel was an American film critic and journalist for the Chicago Tribune. Along with colleague Roger Ebert, he hosted the popular review show Siskel & Ebert At the Movies from 1975 until his death....
were offended by Porky's and later called it one of the worst films of 1982.
Box office
Although it was written and directed by an American and was filmed in Miami, FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Porky's was produced by the Canadian company Astral Media
Astral Media
Astral Media Inc. is a Canadian media corporation. It is Canada's largest radio broadcaster with 83 radio stations in eight provinces, and is a major player in premium and specialty television in Canada, including The Movie Network, Super Écran, Family, Teletoon, Canal D, Canal Vie, VRAK.TV,...
. As a result, Porky's can be classed as the highest-grossing Canadian film of all time in Canada's domestic box office, with a total of C$11 million by 1999.
In October 2006, Bon Cop, Bad Cop
Bon Cop, Bad Cop
Bon Cop, Bad Cop is a 2006 Canadian comedy-thriller buddy cop film about an Ontarian and a Québécois police officer who reluctantly join forces. The dialogue is a mixture of English and French...
appeared to surpass Porky's in nominal box office revenues, but as of the end of its theatrical run, Bon Cop, Bad Cop had not surpassed the inflation-adjusted revenues for Porky's. Taking inflation into account, Porky's has grossed more than twice what Bon Cop, Bad Cop has earned to date. Porky's is also the second highest-grossing Canadian film of all time internationally.
History and significance
The first two Porky's films were directed by Bob ClarkBob Clark
Benjamin "Bob" Clark was an American actor, director, screenwriter and producer best known for directing and writing the script with Jean Shepherd to the 1983 Christmas film A Christmas Story...
and produced by Harold Greenberg
Harold Greenberg
Harold Greenberg, OC, CQ was a Canadian film producer.Harold was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1930. Harold was born into a family of three brothers: Ian, Sydney and Harvey . Greenberg began working in a second-hand camera store when he was thirteen...
, who founded Astral Communications (now known as Astral Media
Astral Media
Astral Media Inc. is a Canadian media corporation. It is Canada's largest radio broadcaster with 83 radio stations in eight provinces, and is a major player in premium and specialty television in Canada, including The Movie Network, Super Écran, Family, Teletoon, Canal D, Canal Vie, VRAK.TV,...
). James Komack
James Komack
James Komack was an American actor, writer and film producer. Komack was in the original cast of the Broadway musical Damn Yankees and also in the film version; in both productions, he was one of the baseball players who perform the song " Heart"...
directed the third film, Porky's Revenge
Porky's Revenge
Porky's Revenge! is the 1985 third installment to the Porky's film trilogy. The film was directed by James Komack.-Plot:The sex-crazed teenagers of Angel Beach High School are back for the third and final time. They continue to be harassed by the gym teacher, Beulah Balbricker, who catches them...
. Clark based the original Porky's on actual occurrences at Boca Ciega High School
Boca Ciega High School
Boca Ciega High School is an American four-year public high school in Gulfport, Florida, south of the St. Petersburg city line, and is part of the Pinellas County Schools district...
in Gulfport, Florida
Gulfport, Florida
Gulfport is a city in Pinellas County, Florida and a suburb of St. Petersburg. The population of Gulfport was 12,527 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was 12,740. Gulfport is part of the Tampa-St...
and Fort Lauderdale High School
Fort Lauderdale High School
school song = sang to the tune of "Flow Gently Sweet Afton" Fort Lauderdale High School is a secondary school located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida serving students in grades 9 through 12...
in the early 1960s, and on a joint called Porky's in Oakland Park, Florida
Oakland Park, Florida
Oakland Park is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. Originally named Floranada , the town was forced into bankruptcy after the hurricane of 1926. When the town reincorporated, residents chose the name Oakland Park. As of the 2010 census, the population was 41,363, mainly due to...
.
The first film featured Canadian actors Art Hindle
Art Hindle
Arthur Hindle is a Canadian actor and director.Hindle was born in Halifax. His family moved to Toronto while he was a child. Although shy as a youngster, he grew to be a rebellious and independent teenager...
, Doug McGrath
Doug McGrath
Doug McGrath, born in Nova Scotia, Canada on Aug 21,1939 is a Canadian actor whose most notable role was of "Peter" in the acclaimed Canadian film Goin' Down the Road. He also played in acclaimed Canadian films Wedding in White, The Hard Part Begins and Black Christmas...
, and Susan Clark
Susan Clark
Susan Clark is a Canadian actress, possibly best-known for her role as Katherine on the American television sitcom Webster, on which she appeared with her husband, Alex Karras.-Personal life:...
. The British-Canadian actress Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall
Kim Victoria Cattrall is an English actress. She is known for her role as Samantha Jones in the HBO comedy/romance series Sex and the City, and for her leading roles in the 1980s films Police Academy, Big Trouble in Little China, Mannequin, and Porky's...
appeared in one of her first major roles in a sex scene in the boys' locker room. Her character's nickname was "Lassie
Lassie
Lassie is a fictional collie dog character created by Eric Knight in a short story expanded to novel length called Lassie Come-Home. Published in 1940, the novel was filmed by MGM in 1943 as Lassie Come Home with a dog named Pal playing Lassie. Pal then appeared with the stage name "Lassie" in six...
" due to the way she howled during intercourse.
Home media
On May 22, 2007, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of the 20th Century Fox film studio. It was established in 1976 as Magnetic Video Corporation, and later as 20th Century Fox Video, CBS/Fox Video and FoxVideo, Inc....
released all three films in an "Ultimate Collection" box set.