Senior Trip

This movie was a total bore, it was a strange mix of comedy drama musical and travelogue. I now feel I've been to New York City. It was a 75 minute TV movie dragged out to 96 minutes with drawn out shots of New York City, with no apparent reason other than to pad out the short story line. Not dramatic or funny enough to be interesting. Mickey Rooney as himself was pure Hollywood, I've met the man in person, and he's nothing like that. However if you were a teenager around 1981 you might find this mildly nostalgic, if you're a Scott Biao fan, he's got a total of probably less than 10 minutes in the movie. Watch it if you must, but you'll probably be bored to tears.

I bought this film for my collection after discovering that Faye Grant, famous as the beautiful heroine on the Mini-Series' & TV Series V was a standout in this movie (also written and directed by Kenneth Johnson who created V). From watching this thoughtful and funny telefilm, its clear to see why Kenneth Johnson called on Faye Grant to take on the female lead in V. And of course, Scott Baio is at his dramatic best here. The film soundtrack is also scored by Joe Harnell who worked for Kenneth Johnson on the Incredible Hulk as well as V: The Original Miniseries.

Senior Trip is a story of a group of seniors from a small town in Ohio trying to discover what they want out of life, While taking a trip to New York.Mickey Rooney has a small role as himself.

Roger Ellis (Scott Baio)a young man trying to get ahead in business at a young age.

Denise (Faye Grant) A young woman who has a hard time struggling who she wants to be in life.She has a lot of confusing times that just set her back a lot in growing up.

My favorite is Denise in this movie she reminds me a whole lot of how it was for a girl to grow up in a small town.And how easy it was to make mistakes along your way.Senior trip I rate a 9 of 10

Senior Trip is definitely a candidate for "Bad Movie Night." When I am feeling extremely cruel and want to annoy my wife, I sing a line from the song "Going to the Big Apple", which was performed on the bus during the trip to NY. Woof.

There are many notable actors in this film, but not many notable performances. The best way to describe the screenplay, stale and bland. The only lasting impression from this film are from a few horrible scenes that haunt you years after you watch it.

Before you rent or (God forbid) buy Senior Trip, ask yourself, "Am I a glutton for punishment?"

The Review

I taped this CBS made-for-TV I guess back in 1981, not really knowing what it was about. I was so involved in trying to delete the commercial breaks, it was not until later I realized how good it was and not until about the fifth viewing that I realized Jason Alexander (later of Seinfield) was one of the Seniors. Like the song auditioned for Mickey Rooney, "One More Time", this movie gets better each time I view it. Since I goofed and let a few ads and station breaks slip in, I recently started a search for Senior Trip on DVD. No luck...and evidently it is not even available anymore on video. Scenes of New York include the now-gone World Trade Towers and great aerial shots of the city skyline and scope of Central Park. UPDATE: I found this title being shown this afternoon (Nov.28,2006) on Encore but unfortunately it had already started so I did not have a chance to record it on disc. Hopefully I can find the next showing and be ready.