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Lambada

  • 1990
  • PG
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
3.5/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Melora Hardin and J. Eddie Peck in Lambada (1990)
Kevin Laird is a Beverly Hills school teacher by day and a mystery man by night. Using his lambada dance moves to first earn the kid's respect and acceptance, Kevin then teaches them academics. But when a jealous student exposes Kevin's double life, his two worlds collide, threatening his job and reputation.
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99+ Photos
Drama

Kevin Laird is a Beverly Hills school teacher by day and a mystery man by night. Using his lambada dance moves to first earn the kid's respect and acceptance, Kevin then teaches them academi... Read allKevin Laird is a Beverly Hills school teacher by day and a mystery man by night. Using his lambada dance moves to first earn the kid's respect and acceptance, Kevin then teaches them academics. But when a jealous student exposes Kevin's double life, his two worlds collide, threat... Read allKevin Laird is a Beverly Hills school teacher by day and a mystery man by night. Using his lambada dance moves to first earn the kid's respect and acceptance, Kevin then teaches them academics. But when a jealous student exposes Kevin's double life, his two worlds collide, threatening his job and reputation.

  • Director
    • Joel Silberg
  • Writers
    • Joel Silberg
    • Sheldon Renan
  • Stars
    • J. Eddie Peck
    • Melora Hardin
    • Adolfo Quinones
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    3.5/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joel Silberg
    • Writers
      • Joel Silberg
      • Sheldon Renan
    • Stars
      • J. Eddie Peck
      • Melora Hardin
      • Adolfo Quinones
    • 14User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:10
    Official Trailer

    Photos118

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    Top cast35

    Edit
    J. Eddie Peck
    J. Eddie Peck
    • Kevin 'Blade' Laird
    Melora Hardin
    Melora Hardin
    • Sandy Thomas
    Adolfo Quinones
    Adolfo Quinones
    • Ramone
    • (as Shabba Doo)
    Leticia Vasquez
    • Pink Toes
    Dennis Burkley
    Dennis Burkley
    • Uncle Big
    Rita Bland
    Rita Bland
    • Lesley
    Jimmy Locust
    • Ricochet
    Gina Ravera
    Gina Ravera
    • Funk Queen
    • (as Gina Ravarra)
    Matt Feemster
    Matt Feemster
    • Rudy Laird
    Kristina Starman
    • Linda Laird
    Basil Hoffman
    Basil Hoffman
    • Supt. Leland
    Kayla Blake
    Kayla Blake
    • Bookworm
    • (as Elsie Sniffen)
    Ricky Paull Goldin
    Ricky Paull Goldin
    • Dean
    Debra Hopkins
    Debra Hopkins
    • Muriel
    • (as Debra Spagnoli)
    Rick Mali
    • Gang member
    Michael Phenicie
    Michael Phenicie
    • Collins
    • (as a different name)
    Bonita Money
    Bonita Money
    • Lead dancer
    Thalmus Rasulala
    Thalmus Rasulala
    • Wesley Wilson
    • Director
      • Joel Silberg
    • Writers
      • Joel Silberg
      • Sheldon Renan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    3.51.2K
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    Featured reviews

    10brokerbeck

    A guilty pleasure.

    J. Eddie Peck smolders as Kevin Laird, a high school math teacher who lives in 2 worlds, the Beverly Hills school where he teaches and the east LA world where he came from. Delicious to watch, the dance scenes with the pulsing sexual undercurrents showcase J. Eddy Peck's attributes beautifully as does a voyeristic butt shot as he writes on the blackboard in front of his Beverly Hills class. The classic themes are all here: there are no bad kids they're just misunderstood (West Side Story), we have more in common that we have differences, acceptance of diversity, you can't judge a book by it's cover. This movie will entertain, it has music, dancing, competition, overcoming obstacles, family values and a happy ending. Great date movie.
    1moonspinner55

    It already looks like a relic...

    Cross-pollination of "Stand and Deliver" with "Dirty Dancing" is jaw-droppingly misguided. Beverly Hills math teacher, who struts his stuff at night in a barrio club, gets involved with under-privileged kids and gives them lessons on how to Lambada--a hot new Latin dance! Moronic junk is almost endearingly bad...almost. It features uncharismatic leads, soapy melodrama, generic club music, and teeth-gnashing dialogue. It does attempt an offbeat approach to a formula plot, but that is the only positive thing one can really say about it.

    * from ****
    10twenty2stars

    Fantastic

    From choreographing by Shabba Doo and Brainy Boo to the forbidden lambada dance before math class in "No Mans Land." You cannot escape the incredibly alurring and ridiculous call of the LAMBADA!!!!!!!! I would recommend this to any one who is up for a night of laughter, protractors, and terrible 80's dance moves. I love it! LAMBADA!!
    1xjrgx

    JLo's Oscar Performance

    This movie was one of the most surprisingly entertaining movies I have ever seen. The dialogue was just not grossly disengaging, but the gawdy dance choreography couldn't help but make me laugh. This movie reminded me of West Side Story, except as if directed and choreographed by a blind, mentally challenged individual.

    The storyline, if you can call it that was so terrible. While watching the movie you know it is so mentally abusing to do so, but like a train wreck, can't help but keep your eyes fixated on its amazement.

    Definite must see, if you and your friends want to have a great laugh, or if you are just feeling self-destructive.
    2darkpoet-1

    Terrible... but some decent music...

    This movie was terrible in so many ways. I can't believe that the writers and directors got away with churning out this crap. What started as a love story between teacher and student turns suddenly and painfully towards a stay-in-school moral. Not bad if perhaps you were forced to watch this in school instead of studying, but not even worth watching on TV.

    But the music was filled with some decent typical 80s moments... especially whenever the music took over. And although you might think that JLo was in this movie after seeing it, you won't find her anywhere in the movie or in the credits.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The picture has often been called "the better of the two" of its lambada dance movie rival The Forbidden Dance (1990).
    • Goofs
      On the car scene where Sandy is in the car with Laird, Principal Singleton arrives to chat with the him. As Singleton leaves, Sandy suddenly pops up and speaks with Laird. Singleton acts as if nothing's happening, when it is obvious he would've spot Sandy with Laird.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Pretty Woman/Blind Fury/A Shock to the System/The Fourth War/Lambada (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Set The Night On Fire
      Written by R. Ray Barnes and Tony Coleman
      Produced by R. Ray Barnes and Tony Coleman
      Performed by Sweet Obsession
      Published by Knight Crew Music/Epic/Solar Songs, Inc./Bada Music (BMI)

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    FAQ15

    • How long is Lambada?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 16, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Lambada: Set the Night on Fire
    • Filming locations
      • Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cannon Films
      • Film and Television Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,263,112
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,031,181
      • Mar 18, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,263,112
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 44m(104 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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