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Johnny Be Good
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| Johnny Be Good | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Bud S. Smith |
| Written by | Steve Zacharias Jeff Buhai David Obst |
| Produced by | Adam Fields |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Robert D. Yeoman |
| Edited by | Scott Smith |
| Music by | Jay Ferguson Judas Priest |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Orion Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $17.6 million |
Johnny Be Good is a 1988 American comedy film directed by Bud S. Smith, starring Anthony Michael Hall as the main character, Johnny Walker. The film also features Robert Downey Jr. and Paul Gleason. Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon and sportscaster Howard Cosell make cameo appearances. Despite starring famous actors and comedians, the film was both a critical and financial failure, grossing $18 million.
Judas Priest, Saga, Ted Nugent and Jon Astley among others, contributed to the soundtrack. The title track, "Johnny B. Goode", originally recorded by Chuck Berry, was re-recorded by Judas Priest for their album, Ram It Down.
Plot
[edit]Johnny Walker, a student at Ashcroft High School, is the top high school quarterback prospect in the nation, and is being heavily recruited by many schools. His best friend, Leo Wiggins, thinks he should hold out for the best offer while his girlfriend, Georgia Elkans, wants him to go to State University with her and get a solid education.
The various colleges offer him everything he could possibly want—hot girls, cash, free room and board, etc. One school even buys Leo a car, while another offers to provide him with male companions if he isn't interested in women. His coach, Wayne Hisler (whom Johnny hates), even tries to sell him out by striking a deal with one of the interested colleges to become their next head coach, if Johnny signs their scholarship offer.
Although he has all the skills a coach would want in a quarterback, Johnny is unsure where he wants to go. Being tempted by the offers, praise, and attention, his ability to make good decisions is blurred. Johnny begins to get a "big head", which irritates his family. After he returns home dressed in a gaudy outfit, his mother reminds him not to forget about what's important. Johnny visits State University, and asks the head coach Ned Sanders what he can do for him in order to convince Johnny to sign with State. Sanders tells Johnny he will give him a scholarship, a good education, and a chance to earn the starting QB job, and that's all he'll give him. He tells Johnny that he is headed for a lot of trouble if he signs with the colleges that are giving him gifts and money, which is a violation of NCAA rules. Johnny dismisses him out-of-hand.
Later that night, Johnny and Leo end up in a motel room with three girls. Chief Elkans, the local sheriff (and Georgia's strict father, who has a grudge against Johnny), then turns up after the girls falsely accuse them of rape. Hisler visits the two in the local jail, and tells Johnny that either he can sign with Piermont University, the college that hired Hisler, so they can both prosper, or he can end up in prison on the fake charges for a long time, which would jeopardize Johnny's career. While sitting in jail, Johnny discovers that Leo has something to do with his predicament, and he is disappointed in him. Nevertheless, Johnny forgives Leo.
On signing day, the entire world watches Johnny's press conference with anticipation. Hisler then calls the other four top prospects from Johnny's high school team up onto the stage with him and Johnny, where he announces that they will all be at Piermont that next school year, with Hisler as head coach, and Johnny as quarterback. When Johnny has a chance to speak, he talks about the embarrassment and shame he has put on his family, friends and mostly himself. Johnny then decides that he would rather not play than to be treated special just for being able to throw a football, thus also choosing not to sign with Piermont or any schools. The Walker family and Georgia are pleased with Johnny's decision, but Hisler, refusing to accept this as fact, threatens him. When the other four players refuse to sign with Piermont as well, everyone begins to go crazy. Floyd Gondole, the NCAA recruitment investigator comes on stage, and announces that since day one he's been watching the recruitment of Johnny very closely. He then states several of the worst offending colleges will be under investigation for recruiting violations, including Ol' Tex & UCC (the first two colleges Johnny visited), and Piermont, the latter which framed Johnny and Leo for rape. Afterwards, many of the other schools think they still have a chance to sign him, and beg him to reconsider them. Sports agent Lou Landers causes a huge melee, but Johnny walks away with Leo and Georgia.
Johnny is then seen running down a hallway to Sanders' office at State University, who accepts Johnny, and officially offers him a scholarship, after he says that he just wants a good education and a chance to play football. After signing with State, he drives off with Georgia and Leo. Over the credits, Johnny plays the drums while watching the collateral damage for all of the people caught in the recruitment scandal (including Hisler, who is in jail).
Cast
[edit]- Anthony Michael Hall as Johnny Walker
- Robert Downey Jr. as Leo Wiggins
- Paul Gleason as Wayne Hisler
- Uma Thurman as Georgia Elkans
- Steve James as Coach Ned Sanders
- Seymour Cassel as Wallace Gibson
- Michael Greene as Tex Wade
- Marshall Bell as Chief Elkans
- Jennifer Tilly as Connie Hisler
- Deborah May as Mrs. Walker
- Michael Alldredge as Vinny Kroll
- Jim McMahon as Himself
- Howard Cosell as Himself
- Robert Downey Sr. as Floyd Gondole
- George Hall as Grandpa Walker
- Tim Rossovich as Gas Station Attendant
- Jon Stafford as Bad Breath
- Pete Koch as Pete Andropoulos
- Adam Faraizl as Randy Walker
- John Pankow as Lou Landers (uncredited)
Production
[edit]In part, filming took place in Texas including Georgetown, San Antonio and New Braunfels. The San Antonio school campuses of Thomas Jefferson High School, Alamo Heights High School and University of the Incarnate Word were used as the backdrop of the film.
Reception
[edit]The film was a box office bomb earning $17.6 million & also received negative reviews. At review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, as of August 2022, Johnny Be Good had a 0% rating, based on 18 reviews, with an average score of 3/10.[1] On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 10 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "overwhelming dislike".[2]
In a recent retrospective review, Box Review still credits Anthony Michael Hall for trying something different. "You can see flashes of charm and charisma, even if the role doesn't let him stretch as far as it could."[3]
Soundtrack
[edit]| Johnny Be Good - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by various artists | |
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | Rock, Synth-pop |
| Label | Atlantic |
| Singles from Johnny Be Good - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
| |
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Johnny B. Goode" | Chuck Berry | Judas Priest | 4:36 |
| 2. | "Caviar" | Myles Goodwyn | Myles Goodwyn | 4:34 |
| 3. | "Ring Around Rosie" |
| Kix | 4:43 |
| 4. | "If There's Any Justice" |
| Fiona | 3:43 |
| 5. | "Been There, Done That" | Jon Astley | Jon Astley | 4:25 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Perfect Stranger" | Keith Olsen | Saga | 4:29 |
| 2. | "Skintight" | Ted Nugent | Ted Nugent | 3:07 |
| 3. | "Rock Still Rolls Me" | Arnold Lanni | Frozen Ghost and Friends | 3:07 |
| 4. | "No Place Like Home" | Bernie Shanahan | Bernie Shanahan | 4:01 |
| 5. | "It's Not The Way You Rock" | Dirty Looks | Dirty Looks | 3:49 |
Accolades
[edit]Ted Nugent's contribution to the soundtrack, "Skintight", earned nomination for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song at the 9th Golden Raspberry Awards.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Rotten Tomatoes, "Johnny Be Good (1988)". Accessed July 26, 2014.
- ^ "Johnny Be Good (1988) reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
- ^ "Box Review: Johnny Be Good". BoxReview.com. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ Wilson, John (August 23, 2000). "1988 Archive". razzies.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
External links
[edit]Johnny Be Good
View on GrokipediaDevelopment
Conception and writing
The screenplay for Johnny Be Good was written by Steve Zacharias, Jeff Buhai, and David Obst, focusing on the chaotic world of high school football stardom and the pressures of college recruitment.[6] The script satirized the rampant corruption in American college sports during the 1980s.[7][8] These motifs were central to the drafts, emphasizing the moral dilemmas faced by a talented quarterback navigating offers from desperate coaches and institutions, a theme that highlighted the exploitative underbelly of football culture well before similar explorations in later films like The Program.[2] Development of the project began in the mid-1980s under producer Adam Fields, with Bud S. Smith attached as director following his experience as an established editor and second-unit director.[1] Smith's vision shaped key creative decisions, prioritizing a comedic tone to critique the excesses of recruitment while ensuring authentic depictions of high school environments to ground the satire in relatable settings.[1] Principal photography commenced in March 1987, marking Smith's feature directorial debut.[1] The initial budget was set at an estimated $22 million, with allocations emphasizing realistic portrayals of Midwestern high school life and football dynamics to enhance the film's satirical edge without veering into caricature.[3] Anthony Michael Hall was cast as the lead, Johnny Walker, to bring a youthful, everyman quality to the role of the tempted athlete.[1]Casting
Anthony Michael Hall was selected for the lead role of Johnny Walker following an introduction by Robert Downey Sr. and Jr., building on Hall's prior collaboration with Downey Jr. in Weird Science (1985). Hall, who rose to prominence with his geeky teen persona in Sixteen Candles (1984), underwent physical preparation for the athletic role, gaining 22 pounds under trainer Thomas Anthony Patti to embody the high school quarterback. Principal photography commenced on 16 March 1987 in San Antonio, Texas, marking Hall's return to feature films after a two-year hiatus following his tenure on Saturday Night Live (1985–1986), during which he navigated scheduling conflicts and personal challenges that briefly stalled his momentum.[1][9] Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Johnny's best friend Leo Wiggins, leveraging his established comedic timing from roles like the eccentric Ian in Weird Science (1985), which marked his second on-screen pairing with Hall. Downey's improvisational style influenced several scenes, as noted in contemporary reviews where his ad-libbed lines were described as a distinctive, if erratic, contribution to the film's dialogue.[1][8] Uma Thurman secured the role of Georgia Elkans, Johnny's girlfriend, in what was her first major theatrical release after the independent thriller Kiss Daddy Goodnight (1987), positioning the film as an early breakout opportunity in her career.[1] The supporting cast included Paul Gleason as the scheming high school coach Wayne Hisler, a role that reinforced Gleason's typecasting as antagonistic authority figures following his portrayal of Principal Vernon in The Breakfast Club (1985). Seymour Cassel portrayed Wallace Gibson, Johnny's opportunistic uncle who pressures him toward college recruitment, adding a layer of familial satire to the ensemble.[1][10] For the high school extras, particularly in football sequences, director Bud Smith utilized untrained local players from San Antonio-area schools to capture authentic teen energy, though this led to production challenges including a stunt-related injury lawsuit from stunt performer Jackie Resch, who broke her neck during filming and sued Orion Pictures in November 1990. Auditions for additional background roles were managed through Los Angeles casting calls to source performers evoking Midwestern authenticity, aligning with the film's satirical take on small-town recruiting pressures.[1]Production
Filming
Principal photography for Johnny Be Good commenced on March 16, 1987, in the San Antonio, Texas area and wrapped in mid-May 1987, spanning approximately nine weeks.[1] The production chose Texas locations to stand in for the film's Midwestern high school environment, leveraging the state's diverse urban and suburban landscapes for efficiency and visual variety.[11] Filming primarily occurred in San Antonio, where school scenes were shot at Thomas Jefferson High School and Alamo Heights High School to evoke the everyday bustle of a competitive football program.[12] Residential and neighborhood sequences utilized homes and streets in Georgetown and New Braunfels, providing a relatable suburban backdrop for the protagonist's personal dilemmas.[11] The climactic football game was staged at Texas Stadium in Irving, the home of the Dallas Cowboys at the time, to heighten the spectacle of the recruiting frenzy.[11] Cinematographer Robert D. Yeoman captured the film on 35mm, employing dynamic camera work including handheld techniques to convey the chaotic energy of recruitment temptations and on-field action.[13] Director Bud Smith, in his feature film debut after years as an editor and second-unit director, focused on naturalistic shots to ground the comedy in authentic teen experiences.[1] Production involved coordinating with local non-professional extras for crowd scenes, particularly during the stadium sequences, to simulate the intensity of high school athletics.[6]Post-production
The post-production of Johnny Be Good was led by editor M. Scott Smith, unrelated to director Bud S. Smith, who assembled the film with a focus on its comedic elements.[6] The final runtime was established at 91 minutes.[3] Visual effects were minimal, primarily involving basic compositing for crowd scenes in football sequences, coordinated by special effects supervisor Jon G. Belyeu, with title design by Pablo Ferro.[1] Sound design included standard foley work to enhance impacts in the sports scenes, while the score by Jay Ferguson was integrated during this phase.[6] Post-production also encompassed color grading and post-synchronization dubbing to improve dialogue clarity. In March 1988, it secured an MPAA PG-13 rating due to language and thematic elements related to college recruitment pressures.[1]Narrative
Plot
Johnny Walker, a star high school quarterback in a small town, leads his team to a state championship victory, drawing aggressive recruitment from major colleges eager to secure his talent through underhanded tactics like bribes and extravagant perks.[1] Indifferent to the hype, Johnny initially plans to attend the local state college alongside his girlfriend, Georgia Elkans, prioritizing his relationship and education over fame.[1] However, his high school coach, Wayne Hisler, secretly negotiates with Piermont University, which has hired him, to lure Johnny with promises of glory and personal gain.[1] As recruitment intensifies, Johnny's best friend, Leo Wiggins, urges him to embrace the temptations, pushing for the deal that offers the most excitement and rewards, including parties, money, and women.[7] Johnny's romance with Georgia adds emotional strain, as she advocates for the local school to keep their lives together.[7] Key events highlight the corruption: during a recruiting trip with Olde Tex University, Johnny attends a lavish party where coaches attempt to bribe him with cash and introduce seductive temptations, including an advance from a coach's wife that Leo helps him escape.[1] Later, after a wild escapade involving Georgia's cheerleader friends, Hisler orchestrates a false rape accusation against Johnny and Leo, leading them to end up in jail, where Hisler bails them out in exchange for a commitment to Piermont.[7][8] The rising pressures culminate during the final big game, where Johnny confronts the shady deals head-on. Rejecting the bribes and his coach's manipulation, he chooses integrity over a top-tier scholarship, publicly exposing the recruitment scandals at a chaotic press conference that descends into a brawl among the recruiters.[1] In a rousing pep rally speech to his teammates and community, Johnny affirms his decision to attend the local state college, securing a spot there with Leo by his side and reaffirming his bond with Georgia, opting for a grounded future built on personal values rather than corruption.[7]Characters
Johnny Walker serves as the film's protagonist, portrayed as a talented yet naive high school quarterback whose exceptional skills on the field draw aggressive recruitment from prestigious universities offering illicit incentives like cash, cars, and women. Initially indifferent to the allure of fame, Johnny's arc begins with temptation during a wild recruitment party at Olde Tex University, where he indulges in alcohol and advances from female students, but evolves into one of moral growth as he rejects the corruption, publicly exposes illegal practices at a national signing day press conference, and opts for a modest state college. This development positions him as a symbol of purity and ethical resolve amid the sleazy underbelly of college sports recruitment.[1][7][8] Leo Wiggins functions as Johnny's comic relief sidekick and loyal best friend, injecting humor through his over-the-top antics and schemes that amplify the chaos of the recruitment process, such as pushing Johnny to demand the highest bidder among colleges. Embodying unchecked ambition, Leo advises holding out for maximum personal gain and gets entangled in the fallout, including being framed alongside Johnny for a fabricated rape charge by their coach, yet his redemption remains limited—he ultimately aids Johnny in securing a spot at the state college without undergoing profound self-reflection or change.[7][8][1] Georgia Elkans appears as Johnny's love interest, an ambitious and intelligent young woman whose grounded perspective contrasts the film's excesses, advocating for him to prioritize education at a small state college where she plans to attend. Her arc underscores themes of loyalty and reconciliation, as she navigates the strains of Johnny's exposure to seductive temptations from recruiters, ultimately reinforcing their bond by supporting his principled decision and highlighting gender dynamics typical of 1980s teen comedies, where female characters often serve as moral anchors amid male-driven folly.[1][7] Among supporting figures, Coach Wayne Hisler emerges as the key antagonist, a manipulative high school coach who deploys sleazy tactics—including obsessively singing show tunes and orchestrating a false rape accusation against Johnny and Leo—to steer his star player toward a lucrative assistant coaching job at Piermont University.[8][1]Soundtrack
Composition
The original score for Johnny Be Good was composed by Jay Ferguson, a musician known for his work with Spirit and subsequent film scoring career.[1] Ferguson's contribution featured a synth-driven 1980s aesthetic typical of his style, incorporating rock-infused elements to heighten tension in key sequences such as the college recruiting efforts central to the plot.[14] The score was developed during the film's post-production phase in late 1987 and early 1988, aligning with the movie's comedic tone while emphasizing dramatic underscores for character conflicts. Licensed tracks formed a significant part of the soundtrack, curated by music supervisor Dick Rudolph to mix classic rock influences with contemporary 1980s pop and hard rock for satirical effect.[1] A pivotal inclusion was Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," which inspired the film's title and appeared in the end credits; the soundtrack version was a cover by Judas Priest, licensed through Berry's publisher Arc Music Corp. and Isalee Music Co.[1][15] Other licensed songs, such as Myles Goodwyn's "Caviar" and Kix's "Ring Around Rosie," were selected for montage scenes depicting high school antics and recruitment pressures, blending upbeat rock energy with the film's humorous critique of sports corruption.[16] Sync licensing for these tracks, including negotiations for Berry's composition, was finalized during post-production to ensure seamless integration.[17]Track listing
The official soundtrack album for Johnny Be Good, titled Johnny Be Good (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), was released by Atlantic Records in 1988 and features ten tracks primarily consisting of rock and pop songs by established artists, curated to evoke the energy of high school life and athletic ambition.[16]| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Writer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Johnny B. Goode" | Judas Priest | Chuck Berry | 4:36 |
| 2 | "Caviar" | Myles Goodwyn | Myles Goodwyn | 4:34 |
| 3 | "No Ring Around Rosie" | Kix | Donnie Purnell, Taylor Rhodes | 4:43 |
| 4 | "If There's Any Justice" | Fiona | Fiona Flanagan | 3:45 |
| 5 | "Been There, Done That" | Jon Astley | Jon Astley | 3:40 |
| 6 | "Perfect Stranger" | Saga | Jimmy Crichton, John Bettis, Michael Sadler (lyrics); Jimmy Crichton (music) | 5:20 |
| 7 | "Skintight" | Ted Nugent | Ted Nugent | 3:50 |
| 8 | "Mack the Knife" | Bobby Darin | Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht (English lyrics: Marc Blitzstein) | 3:05 |
| 9 | "Look at That, Look at That" | The Fabulous Thunderbirds | Kim Wilson | 3:42 |
| 10 | "Centerfield" | John Fogerty | John Fogerty | 3:52 |
