Mischief

Enjoyable tale of a likable geek(Doug McKeon) trying to snag the girl of his dreams with the help of his cool new friend. Unlike the bulk of teen sex comedies from this era, MISCHIEF comes off as slightly less hyperactive and slighty more reflective(come on, the kid learns something about the nature of sexual infatuation at the end, something most of the kids in these films never approach). The inclusion of some great 50's tunes(Ivory Joe Hunter's "Since I Met You Baby" is simply exquisite)goes along way towards heightening this film's charm. On his way to manhood, Jonathan learns, sometimes poignantly and sometimes humorously, about friendship, sex, girls, and his own insecurities. What we see is a coming-of-age story, much more realistically portrayed than the horny hijinks of flicks like PORKY'S. Seek it out.

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 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

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.

In 1956, in Nelsonville, Ohio, the clumsy teenager Jonathan Bellah (Doug McKeon) dreams on getting into the pants of the hot school mate Marilyn McCauley (Kelly Preston). However he is shy and has no experience with girls. When the handsome and rebel Gene Harbrough (Chris Nash) moves with his father to the house next door, he immediately befriends Jonathan and decides to teach him how to be attractive to women. Then he has a minor accident with his motorcycle when the car driven by the wealthy Kenny (D.W. Brown) almost hit him. Gen has a crush on Kenny´s girlfriend Bunny Miller (Catherine Mary Stewart). Later Jonathan and Gene go to a fair and meet Marilyn, Bunny and their mate Rosalie (Jami Gertz). They schedule a date to the drive-in but when Kenny sees Bunny, he challenges Gene to a car race in the beginning of their rivalry and contest. Meanwhile Jonathan gets closer to Marilyn.

"Mischief" is another gem from the 80´s, with a story of friendship, love and rivalry. Gene is a nice character, Bunny is sweet, Marilyn is hot, Kenny is the villain and the clumsy Jonathan is very funny, but his dream comes true. This film is a classic and the viewer never gets tired seeing it again every now and then. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Primeira Transa de Jonathan" (Jonathan´s First Score")