KINDERGARTEN COP (1990)

MORGAN'S RATING

Detective John Kimble is a veteran of the mean streets of Los Angeles, ready and able to tackle anything. But to trap an elusive criminal he is forced to face his most challenging assignment yet: going undercover as a kingergarten teacher. Now facing 23 screaming kids, he has to keep them under control without blowing his top and his cover. Once he gains the respect of his class, as well as the affections of a beautiful teacher, Kimble must prepare for a final confrontation with his prey.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (John Kimble), Penelope Ann Miller (Joyce Palmieri/Rachel Crisp), Pamela Reed (Phoebe O'Hara), Linda Hunt (Miss. Schlowski), Richard Tyson (Cullen Crisp), Carroll Baker (Eleanor Crisp), Cathy Moriarty (Sylvester's Mother), Joseph and Christian Cousins (Dominic Palmieri/Cullen Crisp, Jr.), Park Overall (Samantha's Mother), Jayne Brook (Zach's Mother), Jayne Brook (Zach's Mother), Richard Portnow (Captain Salazar), Tom Kurlander (Danny), Alix Koromzay (Cindy), Betty Lou Henson (Keisha's Mother), Heidi Swedberg (Joshua's Mother), Tom Dugan (Crisp's Lawyer), Angela Bassett (Stewardess), John Hammil (Zach's Father), Michael Chapman (Firefighter), Justin Page (Zach), Peter Rakow (Joshua), Sarah Rose Karr (Emma), Marissa Rosen (Samantha), Miko Hughes (Joseph), Adam Wylie (Larry), Tameka Runnels (Keisha).

AN UNDERCOVER COP IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Ivan Reitman (Twins).

WRITERS: Murray Salem, Herschel Weingrod and Timothy Harris.

PRODUCERS: Ivan Reitman and Brian Grazer.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Sheldon Kahn and Gordon A. Webb.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Michael C. Gross and Joe Medjuck.

ORIGINAL MUSIC: Randy Edelman.

DISTRIBUTOR: Universal Pictures.

FACTS

QUOTES

RELEASE DATE: December 21st, 1990 (USA)

Joyce: You know, kindergarten is like the ocean. You don't want to turn your back on it.

BOX OFFICE OPENING: $14.7 million (USA)

BOX OFFICE RESULT: $91.4 million (USA)

John Kimble: If you don't stop screwing around back there, this is what I'm going to do to you (snapping a pencil with his thumb).

- John Kimball says he was born in Austria. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Austria.

- Kimball swears in German as he carries his colleague into the house ("Das macht mick stinksauer! Jetzt bin ich sauer!", which means "That makes me pissed as hell! No I am pissed!)

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Amusing but overly contrived Schwarzenegger vehicle blends elements of comedy, cop thriller, and romance." -- Leonard Maltin

- The section where Phoebe pretends to be German by sprouting random German phrases was unchanged when dubbed into German. This caused confusion in Germany.

"Kindergarten Cop is made up out of parts that shouldn't fit, but somehow they do, making a slick entertainment out of the improbable, the impossible, and Arnold Schwarzenegger." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

- Dominick has "Ghostbusters" sheets. That film was also directed by Ivan Reitman.

"Kindergarten Cop gets straight A's!"  -- Joel Siegel, Good Morning America

"One of the year's 10 best! Totally enjoyable." -- Ralph Novah, PEOPLE Magazine

"For all its good points, Kindergarten Cop falls just short of being the charming family comedy it clearly wants to be." John Hartl, Film.com

"The funniest film of the year." -- Patrick Stoner, PBS TV