Poison Ivy

Like a few reviewers here, I was a kid when this movie first aired. I taped it. Rewatched it a number of times, found it on VHS (better without commercials!) and watched it some more. It never made it to DVD (as far as I know) and so I've now been relegated to watching it on youtube.

No matter how many times I watch it, I still end up with a smile on my face. Yes, I grew up watching "The Facts of Life," "Family Ties," and films like "My Bodyguard" as well as "DC Cab." And the trio of talent works well here in Nancy McKeon, Michael J. Fox, and Adam Baldwin.

I went to a church camp for a couple of summers. I hated it. The food was beyond deplorable, so I often wondered how a REAL camp would be!

The movie isn't perfect, and it's a bit cheesy in a few places, but then, so what? It's pure, fun entertainment. Joe Wright (Jerry Disbro) was easily the best child actor of the cast, in my opinion. He was a bit like a precursor to Zack Morris. Always up to something.

While Michael J. Fox and Nancy McKeon carry off a sweet little romance (they were dating in real life too!), it's Adam Baldwin who steals the film as the stuffy, military-type camp counselor. His lines are hilarious and bring the most laughs.

Whenever I feel like going back to simpler time with an enjoyable film, I often find myself looking for this one.

Poison Ivy is a funny story revolving around a counselor (Michael J. Fox) and his five campers at a boys' camp called Camp Pinewood. Dennis Baxter (Fox) is looking for love in all the wrong places, until he meets the beautiful Rhonda (Nancy McKeon), the assistant camp nurse. The trouble is, she's already engaged to be married and isn't interested. Dennis's 11-year-old campers each have adventures of their own -- one wants to escape from camp, another tries to woo Rhonda (and takes a romp in poison ivy in order to spend more time in the infirmary with a certain someone), and another devises a scheme to get all the camp goodies into his bunk's possession. It's one adventure after another for these kids, as they learn about loyalty and standing up for what's right.

It's been a long time seeing,and my VHS tape is messed up where I had it taped. I think it would be fun to have. Has cutesy little things happen,and I love the little boy who is 'in love' with nurse Rhonda at camp. I think people of all ages would enjoy it. Nancy and Michael have nice chemistry, and are a cute couple. I wish it would show on t.v., along with a few others I can't find again. Like Rags to Riches,with Joseph Bologna. Or Bad Manners. These are some I would love to see come to t.v. again,or make VHS still for them. Maybe even to DVD . But if you get a chance, check it out. For the most part, I believe here and there,you'll have to smile.I think you'll like it.

Not perfect but so much fun. It's been a staple in my MJF movies.. FYI thay kid isn't Jason Bateman. As much as we want it to be.. Once Nancy shows up I think we all fell in love because she's awesome. Carrey Guffy is a little gem as the kid who's busting out.. Love this TV movie and will watch without discrimination.. Michael j fox did 4 movies in 1985 and I put this on the pedestal of Teen Wolf and Light of Day.. Again I was just kid but they all hold up.. Family Ties Vacation, Teen Wolf, Back to the Future and Poison Ivy.. Dude never slept and didn't need drugs.. Seems impossible but he did it.. Love the guy.

I remember watching this back when it came out in the 80's.

I also remember going to a summer camp in Central Florida that had a counselor nicknamed Beetle Bailey that reminded me of Michael J. Fox.

I watched Family Ties and thought the resemblance was striking even back then.

I always wondered if he, Michael, did a little background work by doing some Summer camp duties for this role.

I wonder if anyone else (besides my older brother) who was at this camp and remembers this person Beetle Bailey at the camp?