In 1956 love doesn't come easy for shy Jonathan Bellah. Not without a little help anyway. That's where his new friend Gene comes in the picture. Gene is rebellious and adored by all the girls. And with a few lessons Ge... more »ne with teach Jonathan the tricks of the trade. But there are a few things they have to learn on their own, if they are to survive adolescence.« less
Mischief - Quite the throwback to the 50s with a solid Porkey's style plotline! A young Kelly Preston is in this if you are a fan. A must watch!
Movie Reviews
A personal favorite
Jeffrey Ellis | Richardson, Texas United States | 09/28/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This isn't a great film but its still one of my personal favorites. Basically, this storyline is familiar from anyone who saw any teen films in the mid-80s. Likeable but nerdy boy falls for the school beauty and, with the help of a much cooler James Dean type, pursues her against tremendous odds (well, against her football player boyfriend anyway) and in the end, discovers that beauty is only skin deep. However, this film manages to take that basic concept and actually liven it up with a sharp script, breezy direction that keeps the story moving, and finally some really winning performances, especially from Doug McKeon (the likeable geek in question who is hardly portrayed as an angel here), Catherine Mary Stewart as the type of girl we all actually loved in high school but didn't know how to talk to until college, and especially a talented actor named Chris Nash who takes on the stereotypical James Dean/rebel-without-a-cause role and actually reveals to us a vulnerable, genuinely likeable human being. Nash's genius is that even though he's playing Dean's character, he doesn't allow himself to fall into a slavish imitation of Dean as so many other young actors have a tendency to do. Instead, he creates his own, unique rebel. Whatever happened to Nash after this film? Of course, the film's real claim to popularity seems to be that McKeon's dream girl is played by Kelly Preston, back in her days when she was the hot blonde in every teen movie and had yet to marry John Travolta. Though underrated as an actress, the true key to Preston's success in those films was her willingness to do more nudity than other young actresses and this film contains what is probably her best and most celebrated nude scene. Of course, it helps that its also one of the rare explicit movie scenes that actually makes sense in terms of the plot, doesn't feel like exploitation, and actually has an unexpected payoff. This is a film about sex and at times, its fairly explicit but its also very humorous and honest. Watching this film, the characters truly come alive and you actually feel like you are just watching a bunch of teenage friends living the best years of their lives."
Great flick! Needs to show up on dvd!
Mark Moyer | Orlando, Florida | 08/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not only is this a very funny fifties nostalgia movie, but a young Kelly Preston in the role of Marilyn, the high school hottie, is -- wow! Too hot to handle! She "teams up" (ahem) with the main geeky character here in my all-time favorite make-out scene. This movie came out back when I was still a single guy and watching it then was like throwin' bacon on the hot grease -- sizzlin'! Not to mention the hilarious antics of Jonathon, the main character, as he clumsily tries to do the kinds of things that every teenage guy wants to do with the best-lookin' chick in the school. Then there's the great fifties tunes sprinkled throughout. It's a great sentimental trip to the past that lacks the recognition of the better-known "American Graffiti" and "Grease" movies, but more than makes up for it when Marilyn's parents go away on a trip..."
A wonderful piece of 1950s nostalgia
Mark Moyer | 12/30/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This a wonderful, yet rather unknown film. Mischief is set in 1956 in the small Ohio town of Nelsonville. Everything about the film has a great sense of nostalgia about it: the small town, the 1950s cars, the clothing, and the OUTSTANDING soundtrack.Some quick plot summary: Jonathan (Doug McKeon's character) is an average high school kid, who meets his new rebel neighbor, Gene(Chris Nash), who promises to help him get the girl of his dreams(Kelly Preston). Along the way, Gene falls in love with a girl who already has a boyfriend, resulting in several confrontations.Mischief combines romance (sex), action, and humor, to be throughly entertaining. (While this film does possess '50s charm, do not be misguided; it is NOT a family-oriented film, as the R-rating indicates.)"
Finally On DVD
TBo | the burbs of PA | 03/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was a stand-in for this film and it was one of the highlights of my life! The experience was great - the film is funny and so glad to see it is finally being released. Doug McKeon was the nicest - Cathy Stewart was the sweetest. The music is great 50's tunes. You cant miss Mischief"