Up the Academy

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Mad Magazine Presents: "Up the Academy"
Theatrical release poster.
Directed by	Robert Downey
Produced by	Danton Rissner Marvin Worth
Written by	Tom Patchett Jay Tarses
Starring	Wendell Brown Tommy Citera Ron Liebman Hutch Parker Ralph Macchio
Cinematography	Harry Stradling Jr.
Editing by	Bud Molin Ron Spang
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date(s)	June 6, 1980 (New York City, New York)
Running time	87 min.
Country
Language	English
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

MAD Magazine Presents Up the Academy is an American teen comedy film released in 1980, about the outrageous antics of a group of misfits at a military school. It was directed by Robert Downey, and starred Wendell Brown, Tommy Citera, Hutch Parker, and Ralph Macchio.

[edit] Response

The film was neither a commercial nor critical success when it was originally released, and was disowned by both the staff of MAD magazine and actor Ron Leibman (who had his name removed from the credits). MAD's publisher, William Gaines, paid Warner Bros. $30,000 to remove all references to MAD from the film when it was released on home video. However, the film developed a small cult following. Following Time Warner's purchase of MAD, all references to the magazine were reinstated on cable television. In 2006, the original version of the film was issued on DVD.

[edit] Trivia

Make up effects wizard Rick Baker designed the Alfred E. Neuman masks for the film.
The role of Col. Bliss was originally written for Robyn Hilton of Blazing Saddles fame. Early drafts of the script, with Robyn Hilton in mind, gave the Bliss character a lot more lines. Writers also wrote several semi nude and topless that would have played on Hilton's physique. The character was meant to be a sexual distraction for the Ike character. Early drafts of the synopsis described it this way: "Bliss catches Ike peeping on her in the shower. She asks Ike to meet her in her quarters. To relax, Ike smokes a joint. Bliss catches him. She expresses an interest in him as well. They arrange a late night sexual rendezvous but every time they plan to get together, something happens which prevents them to consummate their scandalous affair. Finally, during the climax of the movie, Bliss and Ike manage to sneak away and, in the midst of all the! craziness, consummate their affair with wild, animal, hilarious passion." Robyn Hilton read the script and passed. Studio heads were not happy with the idea of a student having sex with a teacher. The Bliss role was scaled back. Writers left the attraction in but eliminated all of the raciness and nudity.