Troop Beverly Hills

From the opening title sequence (complete with a special remix of The Beach Boys "Kokomo"-era track, "Make it Big"), I knew this movie was something special. What most people fail to realize is that this movie more than anything serves as a time capsule for the period. Mid-80's Beverly Hills was a magical time and I still find myself looking back on this picture and wishing I was there.

Shelly Long stepped out of "Cheers" and into the shoes of Phyllis Nefler, the doting, diva of shopping, big-haired, Beverly Hills mother of a wilderness girl. Phyllis is going through a divorce with her husband, Fred "the muffler man" (played by Craig T. Nelson fresh off of "Poltergiest" and pre-"Coach"). To bond with her daughter (and to prove to her husband that she can finish what she starts), she becomes the Beverly Hills Troop leader.

This is where the fun starts. What I really love about this picture are the cameos/special appearances including Cheech Marin, Frankie Avalon, and Anneate Funnicello.

Personal note; I first saw this on TV when I lived in Orange County, CA and it was edited. I videotaped it and I still have the tape of that broadcast. I've since seen the unedited theatrical/home video version and I can't believe how much I've missed. I sometimes think the edited TV version that I have is somewhat a better motion than what it originally was. Oh well...

Still a good movie!

A stereotypical portrayal of a Beverly Hills "Wilderness Girls" troup of pre-adolescent girls and their flighty but maternal leader, Phyllis Neffler, played by Shelley Long. Phyllis is going through a "terribly messy divorce" to her husband Fred the Muffler Man and decides on a whim to take over her daughter, Hannah's troup. The group encounters many problems that spawn from the jealousy of Velda Plender, the organization's leader who resents the rather "untraditional" ways of the Beverly Hills troup. All of these hilarious incidents lead up to the Wilderness jambouree where... oh see for yourself! Although not particularly deep, this movie is sentimental, hilarious, and adorable all rolled into one. The antics of the sheltered Beverly Hills troup are guaranteed to make you laugh. This movie is definitely a must see!

I haven't seen this film in at least five years. It was a childhood favourite and my brother and I absolutely adored it. I guess I am slightly afraid that if i rent it again, it could not possibly live up to my memories of it. Shelly Long is hilarious...and totally perfect as Phyllis Nefler. I just think every aspect of the film is so funny...their daughter(Jenny Lewis of The Wizard- another late 80's/early 90's gem) having her own high beam for gymnastics being one of them. The wickedness of Velma Plendor fits perfectly...as does her final sequence, one of my favourite parts, the K-mart scene. Pure fun! Just thinking about this movie makes me want to see it again so I can remember all those classic moments. If you've never seen it, find a video store quickly and rectify your error!!!

Family fare for an entertaining evening at home. The problem of divorce is posed in this film without detracting from the value of marriage. Shelley Long portrays a bored Beverly Hills wife whose husband is leaving her for another woman. Deciding to make something of her life she volunteers to be the leader for her daughter's "wilderness girls" troop (I guess they couldn't get the rights to girl scouts). Shelley Long is a hoot as she tries to make it through a camp-out without getting her nails ruined. Both her and her troop of pampered Beverly Hills princesses learn valuable lessons in character, courage, and friendship with a super happy ending (no spoiler). Great mother-daughter movie.

If only all girls scouts were as fun as Troop Beverly Hills! The film about a down and out divorced house wife with a passion for fashion becoming a girl's scout leader is both hilarious,exciting and thoroughly entertaining.Comedic actress Shelley Long shines as Phyllis Nefler,the woman who dares to make alterations to her daughter's scout uniform,and modify the location of their bushland camping trips to the Beverly Hills Hotel! Phyllis rejects traditional scout activities such as bush walking for manicures and pedicures,preferring her troops to live in the lap of luxury.Needless to say,the girls adore her,the leaders of the other scout groups despise her,and this is all makes the delightful,hilarious and wacky comedy that is Troop Beverly Hills!