During the early-to-mid 80's there seemed to be a fascination around Hollywood with the "coming of age" comedy. How else can you explain the existence of three Porky's movies, Wimps, and the avalanche of other T&A filled low-budget comedies? Personally, just like my obsession with cheap martial arts movies, I've always had a liking for these types of movies and have personally sat through slews of mediocre to rotten offerings in hopes of finding the perfect mix of charm, naked skin, and raunchy humour. And, believe me, it doesn't happen often despite my love for the original Porky's, Revenge Of The Nerds, and Screwballs.

Then along came Mischief. A movie I'd rank, right along with the equally enjoyable Secret Admirer as one of the lesser known 80's offerings, this starts out wanting to be a Porky's type movie (like when our main character gets an erection in class and is asked to stand up and answer questions - though this also draws from real life as anyone who was once a teenage boy can attest to) but ends-up being a mostly raunch free and good natured effort that captures its time period well, has a good young cast, and (most famously) offers up Kelly Preston in all her topless glory.

It's 1956 in Nelsonville, Ohio and the geeky Jonathan (Doug McKeon) is about to graduate from high school and head-off to college. While this is all perfectly fine and dandy for him, he still is holding a torch for Marilyn (Preston), who he's had a crush on for years. Being much too nervous and awkward feeling around her to actually ask her out, Jonathan would rather just watch from a distance and get ready for his last summer before heading off to his post-secondary education.

But things are all about to change for Jonathan as he gets a new neighbour in the form of a rebellious looking, motorbike riding greaser named Gene (Chris Nash). Fresh from Chicago and not used to small town life, Gene gets bored quickly but upon befriending Jonathan they strike-up a bet where he'll help his new friend to not only lose her virginity before the summer is over, but also help him to bag the girl of his dreams.

From here Mischief goes through most of the standard motions as Gene and Jonathan get themselves into various situations, have problems with the town's lawmen and bullies, and do their best to get both Marilyn and Bunny (Catherine Mary Stewart) to be their respective girlfriends. And while there's not much new in Noel Black's screenplay it gets some mileage from its time frame as the makers get to load the soundtrack with tons of 50's music as well as throw in a scene where Gene and Bunny's obnoxious boyfriend Kenny (D.W. Brown) play "chicken" on a dark, lonely highway.

As directed by Mel Damski (who's gone on to a busy career directing various television shows), Mischief is a light-hearted time that nicely balances its sweetness with some mild sexual humour to make it feel like more than just a dull take-off on such 50's based fare as American Graffiti and TV's Happy Days. It's certainly refreshing to see a supposed "sex comedy" filled with likeable characters that doesn't over-do it on the tasteless jokes.

In the lead role McKeon brings just the right amount of naïve gawkiness to his character and it's balanced nicely by Nash's "rebel with a heart of gold" character. Preston actually proves her role isn't just about her breasts and handles her role as the beauty queen well. Catherine Mary Stewart (who had quite a run in the mid-80's with such fare as Night Of The Comet and The Last Starfighter on her resume) also proves capable as well as keeping your attention with her unique eyes. Terry O'Quinn (Stepfather) also shows up briefly as Gene's violin playing father.

If you're a fan of this type of movie, or you just have an odd twitch (like I do) to see everything you can from this sub-genre's 80's output, then you could do a lot worse than Mischief. It makes for a pleasing diversion and proves that in order to make an enjoyable teen comedy you don't have to resort to nastiness - which is a lesson a lot of modern comedies should take into consideration. (Chris Hartley, 10/3/07)

Directed By: Mel Damski.
Written By: Noel Black.

Starring: Doug McKeon, Catherine Mary Stewart, Kelly Preston, Chris Nash.