The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)

Genres - Comedy, Drama, Children's/Family  |   Sub-Genres - Sci-Fi Comedy  |   Release Date - Dec 24, 1969 (USA - Unknown), Dec 30, 1969 (USA)  |   Run Time - 91 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - G
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Synopsis by Paul Brenner

This film is another Disney comedy romp that takes place at the ubiquitous Medfield College. The plot kicks in when an interview, in which Professor Quigley (William Schallert) is denied a much-needed computer by apoplectic college president Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn), is broadcast to a student assembly. In order to help Quigley, the students convince rich college benefactor A.J. Arno (Cesar Romero) to donate a computer to the school instead of his usual 20,000-dollar contribution. Dexter (Kurt Russell), the student leader, attempts to repair the computer, but the machine is struck by lightning and transforms Dexter into a human being with the hard drive of the computer. Since the computer's memory is now in Dexter's brain, he now has information on his human memory chip about Arno's illegal gambling operations. When Dean Higgins puts Dexter on a televised competition for a prize of 100,000 dollars to benefit the college, every time the word "applejack" comes up during the game show, it triggers Dexter to regurgitate a rundown of Arno's illegal activities. In order to stop Dexter from exposing him, Arno kidnaps Dexter and hides him at his country estate. Dressing up as housepainters, Dexter's classmates come to Arno's mansion to rescue him.

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Keywords

college-student, coming-of-age, computers, contest, electrocution, gangster, on-the-run, school, secrets, transformation