John Ashley stars as rich kid Matt Stevens, who is the Don Corleone of his high school. He runs a protection racket, skims money off the high school dances, and sells exams to students too lazy to study. He also manages to get elected Class President, but Al Gore cries foul.
The Principal, who is played by I don't know who, calls newly-elected Ashley into his office to discuss a "problem" at the school - seems some kids are getting roughed up. Hey Mr. Principal - check out the guys wearing the leather jackets - that's a clue. Imbecile. You're now qualified to be Superintendent.
Ashley's buddy is named "Cricket," whose whining will have you yearning for some pesticides. Daria Massey, who plays Ashley's girlfriend "Lita," regularly wears tight dresses to school. Apparently, there was no dress code back then. She also works for the Principal, so maybe something was going on around the mimeograph machine. Judy Nugent plays "Wanda," the new blonde at the school. Cricket wants Matt to "set him up" with Wanda (I love this 60s talk), but Wanda is more interested in "Bob," played by Gary Vinson - the only recognizable actor in this, aside from Ashley.
Ashley organizes a road race (entrance fee - two bucks) and puts up his gold coin as the prize. He loses to his rival (the guy he beat for Class Prez), and decides he is gonna get his coin back. Exit the rival. Ashley plays with his coin more often than Captain Queeg plays with his steel balls.
The director goes for some Shakespearean symbolism (I think) at the climax, when virtually everyone turns on Ashley. "Not you too, Crickett??" Ashley moans. Yes, I can see the resemblance between Ashley and Louis Calhern.
This film isn't half bad. Ashley always seemed better at playing the part of a slick scumbag than an ineffectual hero (see his useless performance in "Frankenstein's Daughter"). And we're also spared his singing. Of course, he was more successful as a producer, if you call The A-Team art. The actors are all in their 20s, so they are not too convincing as high school students. Then again, this IS 1960, and students were actually "retained" back then, before school systems got tired of lawsuits. I suppose it's conceivable that 20-year-olds could still be stuck in high school - it's the algebra that kills them, I tell you. Which reminds me - Crickett has difficulty figuring 10 percent of $75. Some things never change.
Oh, I'm no animal expert, but Ashley promises to buy the school a bulldog. Whatever he buys isn't even close.
