PRIVATE SCHOOL

US, 1983, 84 minutes, Colour.
Phoebe Cates, Betsy Russell, Kathleen Wilhoite, Matthew Modine, Sylvia Kristel, Ray Walston.
Directed by Noel Black.

Private School was one of many films of the early 180s set in high schools, focusing on the sexual antics of the inmates. other examples were Fast Times at Ridgemont High and My Tutor. Fast Times at least tried to make some kind of social comment and used the popular songs of the time in its soundtrack. It also used some substantial young stars. My Tutor, on the other hand, was merely a sexploitation film for Matt Latanzi.

This film has little music, has lively stars including Phoebe Cates. There are guest roles by Sylvia Kristel as the Biology teacher, Ray Walston as a chauffeur and Fran Ryan as the headmistress. However, the film is merely just another example of sexual shenanigans glossily presented and not particularly funny with self-righteous digs at the older generation from a younger generation that has no real reason to be proud of itself.

Universal Studios produced the film and it was directed by Noel Black who has made a range of oddball films, some very good, some poor including Pretty Poison, Jennifer On My Mind and A Man, A Woman and a Bank.