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The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1969 · 91 min · English
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Directed by
Robert Butler
Starring
Kurt Russell, Cesar Romero, William Schallert, Alan Hewitt, Richard Bakalyan, Joe Flynn

A student's life takes an unexpected turn when he unknowingly possesses a remarkable intellect. His accidental pronouncements of valuable information attract the attention of dangerous individuals, including gamblers and gangsters, all vying to exploit his abilities. He finds himself caught in a chaotic situation, navigating a world of high stakes and hilarious misunderstandings as he struggles to understand his extraordinary gift and the trouble it brings.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
  8. 8 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Dexter Riley

    played by Kurt Russell

    Dexter Riley is a resourceful and ambitious student whose life changes dramatically after gaining extraordinary mathematical abilities from an electrical shock. His intelligence propels Medfield College's team to success but also puts him in peril as he uncovers the truth behind Arno's deceit. Despite the challenges, his determination and leadership shine through.

    • 👨‍🎓 Student
    • ⚡ Genius
    • 🎓 Leader
  • A. J. Arno

    played by Cesar Romero

    A. J. Arno is a charismatic yet unscrupulous businessman who camouflages his criminal activities under the guise of philanthropy. His manipulation and greed drive the plot's conflict, illustrating the darker side of ambition. Arno's cunning nature serves as a formidable obstacle to Dexter and his friends.

    • 💼 Businessman
    • 🎩 Villain
    • 💰 Greedy
  • Schuyler

    played by William Schallert

    Schuyler is a supportive friend to Dexter and plays a crucial role in the quiz tournament's final challenge. His quick thinking and knowledge contribute significantly to the team's victory. Schuyler exemplifies loyalty and intellect, proving he’s not just a side character but essential to the plot's resolution.

    • 🤓 Smart
    • 👬 Friend
    • 🏆 Competitor

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:10

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Setting

Where and When Does The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Take Place?

The setting of The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie is set in a contemporary period where technology started to play a crucial role in education and daily life. This era reflects a growing dependence on computers, making the storyline relevant to the audience as it showcases the intersection of technology and education.

Location

Medfield College, United States

Medfield College is an academic institution known for fostering innovative and driven students. It serves as the backdrop for students like Dexter Riley as they navigate challenges in their quest for knowledge and success. The story also highlights a small town, Lebanon, Kansas, which is recognized as the geographic center of the United States.

  • 🏫 College
  • 🇺🇸 United States

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:10

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3 major themes

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Technology

    The impact of technology on education is a central theme in the movie. Dexter's journey emphasizes how technological advancements can reshape and elevate learning experiences. The plot also explores the double-edged sword of technology, exemplified by the misuse of a computer for illegal activities.

  • Friendship

    Friendship plays a vital role as Dexter's comrades unite to rescue him from danger. Their loyalty and teamwork underscore the importance of support and collaboration among friends during challenging times. This theme highlights the strength found in camaraderie and shared goals.

  • Greed

    The theme of greed is embodied by the character A. J. Arno, whose desire for wealth leads to criminal activities that endanger others. The contrast between Arno's motivations and the students’ aspiration for academic achievement reveals the potential consequences of greed over integrity.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:10

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Character & theme questions

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The story takes place primarily at Medfield College, an academic institution where protagonist Dexter Riley studies. The film also references Lebanon, Kansas, known as the geographic center of the United States.

  • medfield college
  • setting
  • location
  • lebanon kansas
Q2

What time period does the film take place in?

The movie is set in a contemporary era when technology began playing an increasingly important role in education and daily life. This reflects the growing dependence on computers that was emerging in the late 1960s.

  • time period
  • 1960s
  • era
  • contemporary
  • technology
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The film explores three primary themes: technology and its impact on education, friendship and teamwork, and greed versus integrity. These themes drive the conflict between the students' pursuit of knowledge and A.J. Arno's criminal exploitation of technology.

  • themes
  • technology
  • friendship
  • greed
  • education
Q4

How does technology factor into the story?

Technology serves as both a blessing and a curse in the film. Dexter gains extraordinary mathematical abilities after an electrical shock, using his intellect to help Medfield College succeed. However, the same computer technology is misused by villains for illegal gambling, illustrating technology's double-edged nature.

  • technology
  • computer
  • intellect
  • education
Q5

Who is Dexter Riley?

Dexter Riley is a resourceful and ambitious student at Medfield College whose life transforms after he gains remarkable mathematical abilities from an electrical shock. His unexpected intellect propels the college's quiz team to success but also attracts dangerous attention from criminals seeking to exploit his talents.

  • dexter riley
  • student
  • protagonist
  • kurt russell
Q6

Who is A.J. Arno?

A.J. Arno is a charismatic but unscrupulous businessman who masks his criminal activities under the guise of philanthropy. His greed and manipulation drive much of the film's conflict, as he seeks to exploit Dexter's abilities for illegal gambling operations. He represents the dark side of ambition.

  • aj arno
  • villain
  • cesar romero
  • greed
  • criminal
Q7

Who is Schuyler in the movie?

Schuyler is a loyal and intelligent friend to Dexter Riley who plays a crucial role in the quiz tournament's final challenge. His quick thinking and knowledge contribute significantly to the team's victory, demonstrating the importance of friendship and collaboration throughout the story.

  • schuyler
  • friend
  • supporting character
  • quiz team
Q8

What role does friendship play in the film?

Friendship is a central theme as Dexter's classmates unite to rescue him from danger. Their loyalty and teamwork highlight the strength found in camaraderie, with friends working together to overcome obstacles and support one another through challenging times.

  • friendship
  • teamwork
  • loyalty
  • classmates
  • support
Q9

How is greed portrayed in the movie?

Greed is embodied by A.J. Arno, whose desire for wealth leads him to engage in criminal activities that endanger others. The film contrasts Arno's self-serving motivations with the students' genuine pursuit of academic achievement, showing how greed can corrupt integrity.

  • greed
  • wealth
  • corruption
  • ambition
  • morals
Q10

What is Medfield College like?

Medfield College is depicted as an academic institution that fosters innovative and driven students. It serves as the backdrop for Dexter Riley and his friends as they navigate challenges in their quest for knowledge and success, representing the positive side of education.

  • medfield college
  • college
  • academics
  • students
  • education
Q11

What kind of movie is this?

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is a family-friendly comedy with sci-fi elements. The tone is light and humorous, driven by the premise of an accidental intellectual boost leading to chaotic but harmless misunderstandings. Despite involving gamblers and a kidnapping, the stakes remain comedic rather than truly dangerous.

  • comedy
  • family
  • sci-fi
  • genre
  • tone

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Accidental Genius Comedies like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

Chaotic adventures after an ordinary person gains an extraordinary ability. Find more movies like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes where an accidental genius sparks hilarious chaos. This thread features lighthearted stories of ordinary people gaining extraordinary abilities, leading to comedic misadventures and scrambles to outwit those who want to exploit their new-found talents.

  • mischievous
  • zany
  • energetic
  • lighthearted
  • whimsical
  • chaotic fun
  • Tone: light, whimsical
  • Pacing: steady, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a clear, straightforward arc: an unexpected event bestows a unique ability on an unlikely hero, which quickly attracts the wrong kind of attention. The story unfolds as a series of escalating, humorous escapades where the protagonist must use their new gift to outsmart antagonists and resolve the situation, often with the help of loyal friends.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their core premise of a sudden, unearned intellectual or supernatural boost, which drives a lighthearted, fast-paced plot. They share a mischievous, energetic tone where the stakes feel high but are never truly threatening, resulting in a fun, family-friendly viewing experience.

College Campus Caper Comedies like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

Zany adventures and high jinks set against a college backdrop. Discover more zany movies like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes set on a college campus. This collection features light-hearted comedies where students find themselves in over their heads with chaotic schemes, rescue missions, and clever plots, all wrapped in a fun, energetic, and hopeful vibe.

  • college life
  • mischievous
  • hopeful
  • zany
  • energetic
  • lighthearted
  • Tone: lighthearted, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, fun
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative unfolds in a familiar campus setting, using it as a playground for escalating chaos. A student protagonist, often with a quirky group of friends, stumbles into a situation far bigger than their studies—like a competition, a criminal plot, or a mistaken identity. The story is a steady march of humorous set pieces and clever solutions, culminating in a triumphant and happy resolution for the underdogs.

Why they belong together: This thread connects films through their specific setting and tone: the optimistic, mischievous energy of college life combined with low-stakes, comedic crime or adventure. The pacing is steady and fun-focused, the emotional weight is light, and the endings are satisfyingly happy, making for a consistently upbeat and entertaining experience.

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Every angle

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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