Mischief

I found out about Mischief in 1984, when I was in Ohio and heard that they'd made a movie in Nelsonville. (That is the town with the 'square' in the middle of downtown featured in the movie). Except then the working title of the movie was "heart and Soul" (thus the closing theme song). I saw the movie on 2/7/85 at a radio station (z100) sponsored preview. Those who don't remember it, well it was in the theatres for about three weeks.

Despite being made in '84, but set in the 50s or early 60s (i forget) they didn't have to change much about Nelsonville to get that look. Much of that town looks the same way today. I went back to Nelsonville in May 1985 and people told me that they just added a few store fronts, put different signs up, and routed traffic the wrong way around the square (when do you get to a 'circle' in the US and keep left...see the background in the closing scene). Actually some of the movie was shot in Canal Winchester...like they drive down the street in Canal Winchester (up near columbus) and come out at Public Square in nelsonville.

When I saw the movie I gave it an A+ for setting and an A- for content. I would say "Jonathan" is more like a typical boy than a nerd, just a shy one who likes girls but doesn't know what to do about them (until Gene comes along).

Well, I could probably write a lot more than imdb allows. I probably know more about the movie than most people that aren't in the film industry or don't live in Ohio, since I talked to people and drove around looking for places where certain scenes were shot. if you wanna talk about this movie email me

When you look back at films from the 80s, they all have this distinctive old-fashioned "feel" to them and it's not just the big hair and leg warmers. Even something set in earlier times, like "Happy Days" or "Peggy Sue got married" feels a bit dated.

Mischief, however feels like it could have been released this year. Maybe it's the natural and casual way that sex is portrayed in the film that is typical today but not then (think Porky's or Animal House). The scene with Preston and McKeon is pretty explicit even by today's standards but at the same time sweet, innocent and funny. The characters, situations and dialogue throughout the film feel very real and genuine and maybe that's what keeps it modern and relevant.

Anyway, the film isn't preachy, maudlin or overly sentimental as it could easily have been. It just tells the story of two young guys bonding and learning a lot about life and a little about love. And with that type of subject matter, it's pretty funny without having to try too hard...

I think Leonard Maltin missed some of the finer points in this often overlooked movie. Watch the film and listen to the music. The music sets the mood and matches the action. The recreation of the time and characterizations is very well done. If you liked American Graffiti then you will like this movie. One of my all-time favorites.

I first saw this movie in 1997 on FOX..Unfortunately I saw it when it was almost to the end..I didn't see the film again until 2 years later.That time I saw it in it's full presentation..Definitely a good movie.The movie is set in 1956 in a small town in Ohio.This is where we see a moving truck headed up a dirt road leading to a small town..This is where we meet Jonathon(played by Doug McKeon)He is a senior in high school and is just the typical,average,high school kid..Who wants to make it with one of the most popular girls in school Marilyn (who is played wonderfully by the beautiful Kelly Preston a.k.a. Mrs. John Travolta)After a "accidental" encounter with Marilyn,Jonathon arrives home and this is where Gene enters the picture.Gene(played by Chris Nash) is the bad ass with a conscience and a heart of gold.He befriends Jonathon and helps him out with Marilyn while making enemy's with the town prep Kenny..Whose "girlfriend" Bunny, Gene has his sights on.While after getting into some mishap the story finally plays out where boys get girls ,Boy dumps girl,Girl runs away with boy..The movie is definitely a must see. Aired on television every once in a while ,I must stop and tell everyone to stop and give this movie the fair chance it deserves...

I loved the sound track...lots of Elvis, Drifters, etc. The movie was rather slow paced just like the decade it depicts, but the pace picks up half way through. For those of us over forty five it was a nice trip down memory lane to a simpler, more innocent time, a time before computers, ubiquitous TV, and on-demand sex. And, even though there is a minor loss of innocence as the movie progresses, even that was in itself rather modest and quaint...more realistic than most high school movies set in the 50s.

All-in-all, it was nice to turn the clock back if only for about 99 minutes.

If you're a fan of 50s nostalgia, rock-and-roll (esp Elvis and the Drifters), or Kelly Preston, you will definitely enjoy this movie.