Virgin High

While I had actually never heard about this 1991 comedy titled "Virgin High", from director Richard Gabai, prior to stumbling upon it here in 2025, I needed no persuasion to watch it. Why? Well, because it was a movie that I hadn't already seen, so of course I opted to give the movie a fair chance.

Writers Jeff Neill and Richard Gabai put together a rather generic and not particularly funny script and storyline. Sure, "Virgin High" was watchable, but I wasn't brought to laughing once throughout the course of the 88 minutes that the movie ran for.

I was not familiar with a single actress or actor on the cast list, except for Burt Ward. And that was actually something that spoke in favor of the movie, as I enjoy watching new and unfamiliar talents on the screen. The acting performances in the movie were fair, despite the fact that the script was bland. I saw that Leslie Mann was on the cast list, but I didn't see her on the screen.

The lack of comedy throughout the course of the movie made for a rather dull viewing experience, especially when this was supposed to be a comedy.

While I managed to sit through the movie, I was only mildly entertained, but I can honestly say that this movie will not be played a second time. There is just something about a movie that is written, directed and starring the same one person that makes it usually a garbage heap.

My rating of director Richard Gabai's 1991 comedy "Virgin High" lands on a three out of ten stars.

This film has a very special place in my heart as the very first Richard Gabai/Linnea Quigley vehicle I saw.I have been a fan of both of them ever since. Richard Gabai is a multi-talented man.I respect any guy who can direct, write and star in his movies and make it look like he's just hanging out with his friends. He stars as Jerry Kaminski, a horny nerd who's girlfriend gets sent to The Academy of the Blessed Virgin as punishment for coming home late from a date (not to mention flashing former Batman side kick Burt Ward). At the Academy she encounters Linnea Quigley as a nasty and mean spirited brat who wants her gone.Jerry dresses as a priest (Father Guus- "it's dutch")to infiltrate the catholic boarding school and get his girlfriend out of there. This film doesn't take itself too seriously. Rounding out the cast are Chris Dempsey playing a jerky security guard with a penchant for Elvis impersonations. Adding to the fun atmosphere is a great soundtrack by Gabai's band "The Checks".Check out the cameo by the Checks lead by Joe Toppe (a much hotter version of Michael Madson)and the hilarious nuns getting drunk scene. Watching this film is a great way to spend an evening. It's funny, sexy and has great music. Overall, it's one of my favorites.

My review was written in January 1991 after watching the film on RCA/Columbia video cassette.

"Virgin High" is uneven but boasts better wrting than most teen sex comedies. Highjinks in a Catholic girls school is familiar territory for video fans.

Linnea Quigley still is surprisingly convincing as by now the oldest living high school student, terrorizing her classmate at Academy of the Blessed Virgin.

Beautiful newcomer Traci Dali is sent there as punishment by her dad Burt Ward (erstwhile Robin on the "Batman" tv series). Her old boyfriend Rcihard Gabai (who also directed) arranges to invade the school disguised as a young priest, precipitating most of the mayhem.

Pic fails as a spoof of Catholic folkways, but Jeff Neill's screenplay includes some witty and fresh material. B-movie regular Michelle Bauer has a disappointing cameo as a substitute teacher, billed with her alternate moniker "Michelle McClellan".

Pic's pace sags a bit in the final reel thanks to an overextended formal dance climax.

I don't know what other folks see in this movie but it generally stinks. I found it to be a good sleep remedy if you don't have any sleeping pills available. Making fun of a religion, in this case Catholics, or any, is typically not amusing to say the least. I only watched it because of Burt Ward. Was curious to see how he acts post Batman. Himself as well as this film was a flop. I certainly do not recommend this trash to anyone.

You can not dislike a movie akin to this. It has one purpose and that is to make you smile. It does this, although not as much as most would want. There is not much in this movie that you could not find in most eighties teen movies. My favorite moment would have to be the amusing sex scene between the rent a cop Elvis impersonator and Linnea Quigley, which effectively mocks overblown sex scenes. Linnea Quigley is topless in this scene, another reason to love it. Richard Gabai remains horrific in almost every sense. He can't act well and he isn't very funny either, he tries too hard. If he wanted to stay behind the camera, I would have no problem with that. He directed Linnea in several other movies where she was without apparel.