While many consider the 1970s to be the best decade in modern film history, the 1980s is right up there with a ton of memorable entries. A time where many genres thrived, perhaps the biggest at the top of the heap were Horror, but also Comedy. A time before ultra political correctness consumed all forms of media, by and large Comedy had the freedom to push the envelope as far as it wished. In truth, this offered a great breeding ground for humor; because after all, if we cannot laugh at ourselves… who can we laugh at? This in mind, many Comedies emerged through the ‘80s, including 1980’s Airplane!, 1983’s Trading Places, and 1984’s Police Academy. Just a short list of titles, Police Academy arrived in theaters on March 23th of 1984, and would go on to become one the biggest Comedy films of the entire decade. While some may try to marginalize it, there is no denying the impact of Police Academy… and it is fascinating to revisit as it turns 40 years old.
The feature film directorial debut from Hugh Wilson (who found success as the creator of the hit television series WKRP in Cincinnati), the screenplay was co-written with Neal Israel and Pat Proft (both of whom together on several other memorable Comedies; such as 1984’s Bachelor Party and 1985’s Real Genius). These talents joining together, the cast assembled really made the film that much more endearing. First off, you had two rising stars in Steve Guttenberg as Cadet Carey Mahoney and Kim Cattrall as Cadet Karen Thompson leading the way. Two of the ‘80s bigger names in Hollywood, Guttenberg would go on to big films such as 1985’s Cocoon and 1986’s Short Circuit, while Cattrall would star in 1986’s Big Trouble in Little China, plus the massively popular series Sex in the City. Joining them, you also had unmistakable performances from Bubba Smith as Cadet Moses Hightower, Michael Winslow as Cadet Larvell Jones, David Graf as Cadet Eugene Tackleberry, G. W. Bailey as Lieutenant Thaddeus Harris, George Gaynes as Commandant Eric Lassard, Leslie Easterbrook as Sergeant Debbie Callahan, along with Marion Ramsey as Cadet Laverne Hooks.
Portraying arguably the most memorable characters in the film, they are also names you would remember for years to come… because each (save Cattrall who only starred in the original feature) would appear time and time again in a list of Police Academy sequels. All of them bring something unique to screen, anyone who grew up in the ‘80s vividly remembers either imitating these on-screen personas, or repeating their lines as a goof amongst friends. A true testament to each performer’s knack for Comedy, it clearly did not go unnoticed; because Police Academy grossed $8.5 million in its opening weekend, before going on to make more than $149 million worldwide! Not a small chunk of change, it became the 6th highest-grossing American film in all of 1984, up there right next to other Comedies including Beverly Hills Cop, Ghostbusters, and Gremlins.
Clearly proving film critics who stuck up their nose at Police Academy very wrong, it truly was only scratching the surface of something bigger to come. Sure, the ‘80s loved sequels, but Police Academy led the way, going on to spawn six sequel features, a television series (airing from 1997 to 1998), an animated series (airing from 1988 to 1989), comic books, and even a toy line. Becoming a true Comedy cash cow, each Police Academy film released in the ‘80s era, through to 1989’s Police Academy 6: City Under Siege, had multi-millions of dollars in returns during their theatrical runs.
All of this being said, the true bread and butter of the Police Academy world has, and always will be, the characters. With Mahoney as the ringleader, each of his mates as part of the Police Academy squad stood out in their own right. This is while Commandant Lassard flawlessly corralled the wacky bunch… but in an innocent, oblivious fashion. With that, you also cannot overlook Lieutenant Harris; the perfect nemesis in the most goofy, lovable sort of way. Truly from a different place and time, you have to recognize that the Police Academy craze all started in 1984… and 40 long years later the original film still holds up as a unforgettable Comedy classic.
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