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The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) movie poster

Timeline

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

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 (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
  6. 6 Every angle
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12 events in order · contains spoilers

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Students Face a Challenge

    Dexter Riley and his classmates at Medfield College encounter a significant hurdle as they struggle to acquire a vital computer for their studies. This need sparks the idea to seek help from wealthy businessman A. J. Arno.

    Where
    Medfield College
  2. The Offer from A. J. Arno

    In an attempt to resolve their dilemma, the students persuade A. J. Arno to donate an outdated computer to their college. However, unbeknownst to them, this simple act is laced with ulterior motives linked to Arno's gambling operations.

  3. Electric Shock Transforms Dexter

    During a storm, Dexter is shocked while working on a computer, which magically enhances his mathematical abilities. This electrical jolt allows him to absorb and retain vast amounts of information quickly and accurately.

    When
    During a thunderstorm
    Where
    Medfield College
  4. Medfield's Quiz Tournament

    With his newfound talent, Dexter leads his college's team in a high-stakes televised quiz tournament. The entire college's hopes hinge on his exceptional intellect for securing the coveted $100,000 prize.

    Where
    Televised Quiz Tournament
  5. Uncovering Arno's Secrets

    As the quiz tournament progresses, Dexter accidentally triggers the phrase 'applejack,' prompting a surge of knowledge about Arno's illicit gambling activities. This revelation sets off a chain of events that puts him in grave danger.

  6. Dexter's Capture

    Following the accidental revelation about Arno, Dexter is captured by the businessman’s henchmen. The students quickly realize the implications of their discovery, endangering their safety and the tournament's prospects.

    Where
    Arno's hideout
  7. Friends Come to the Rescue

    Determined not to let Dexter down, his friends devise a clever plan to rescue him. Disguised as house painters, they infiltrate the captors’ hideout, showcasing their bravery and loyalty to their friend.

    Where
    Arno's hideout
  8. The Daring Escape

    In a thrilling escape, Dexter's friends manage to get him out of captivity. Despite sustaining a concussion during the rescue, Dexter realizes that his extraordinary abilities are starting to fade.

  9. Final Challenge at the Tournament

    With Dexter less capable after his head injury, Schuyler steps in to answer the tournament's final challenge. This crucial moment will determine the outcome of the competition and the fate of Medfield College.

    Where
    Televised Quiz Tournament
  10. Victory for Medfield College

    Schuyler answers correctly, stating 'Lebanon, Kansas,' which is the answer to the final question. This response secures the victory for Medfield College, earning them the $100,000 prize.

    Where
    Televised Quiz Tournament
  11. Arno's Downfall

    As Arno attempts to escape after the tournament, chaos ensues when his getaway vehicle crashes into a police car. This unexpected incident leads to Arno's arrest and the suspension of his illegal operations.

    Where
    Televised Quiz Tournament
  12. Celebration at Medfield College

    Following their triumph, the students at Medfield College celebrate their victory and the successful defeat of Arno. Dexter and his friends rejoice in both their academic success and the bond they share.

    Where
    Medfield College

Last updated: November 22, 2024 at 16:13

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Timeline questions answered

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

How does Dexter Riley gain his extraordinary mathematical abilities?

Dexter gains his extraordinary abilities during a fierce thunderstorm at Medfield College. While fixing a computer component, he experiences a sudden electric shock that magically enhances his mathematical prowess. This electrical jolt allows him to absorb and recall vast amounts of information with unprecedented speed and precision, transforming him from an ordinary student into a genius capable of dominating a televised quiz tournament.

Foreshadowing: The college's desperate need for a computer establishes the technology that will later change Dexter's life.

  • dexter riley
  • electric shock
  • super intelligence
  • computer
  • medfield college
Q2

What triggers Dexter's discovery of A.J. Arno's illegal gambling operation?

During the quiz tournament, Dexter accidentally says the word "applejack," which triggers a flood of suppressed knowledge about Arno's criminal activities. The phrase somehow connects to information stored in his enhanced memory about Arno's illicit gambling ring operating through the computer donated to the college. This accidental revelation puts Dexter in grave danger and sets the entire kidnapping plot in motion.

Foreshadowing: Arno's suspicious donation of an outdated computer hints at his hidden motives.

  • applejack
  • arno gambling
  • illegal operation
  • discovery
  • quiz tournament
Q3

Why does Dexter Riley lose his extraordinary abilities after the rescue?

Dexter loses his extraordinary abilities after sustaining a concussion during the rescue mission. While his friends successfully infiltrate Arno's hideout disguised as house painters and free him, Dexter suffers a head injury in the process. This trauma gradually diminishes his remarkable intellectual capabilities, returning him to a more ordinary state of mind.

  • concussion
  • loss of abilities
  • head injury
  • rescue mission
Q4

How does Medfield College win the tournament despite Dexter being injured?

Medfield wins the tournament because Schuyler steps up to answer the final question after Dexter's abilities fade from his concussion. When the question asks for the geographic center of the United States, Schuyler correctly answers "Lebanon, Kansas," securing the $100,000 prize for the college. His accurate response proves crucial since Dexter was no longer capable of performing at his previous genius level.

  • schuyler
  • final question
  • lebanon kansas
  • tournament victory
  • medfield college win
Q5

What happens to A.J. Arno and his illegal gambling operation after the tournament?

A.J. Arno's criminal operation collapses after the tournament. Attempting to flee the TV studio with his gang, Arno's getaway vehicle crashes into a police car, leading to his immediate arrest. His illegal gambling ring, which had been operating through the donated computer, is dismantled completely, and he faces justice for his crimes.

  • arno arrest
  • police chase
  • getaway crash
  • illegal gambling operation
Q6

How do Dexter's friends manage to rescue him from Arno's hideout?

Dexter's friends rescue him by devising a clever infiltration plan. They disguise themselves as house painters and sneak into Arno's hideout. This bold rescue mission successfully frees Dexter, though he suffers a concussion during the escape. The friends' bravery and quick thinking showcase their loyalty to their classmate.

  • rescue mission
  • house painters disguise
  • arno hideout
  • friend loyalty
Q7

Why does A.J. Arno donate a computer to Medfield College?

A.J. Arno donates an outdated computer to Medfield College as part of a deceptive scheme to further his illegal gambling operations. The students believe they're receiving charitable aid for their studies, but Arno secretly uses the donated computer to run his vast criminal enterprise. This setup explains why the gambling operation is discovered when Dexter's enhanced abilities connect to the computer's data.

  • computer donation
  • arno scheme
  • illegal gambling
  • deception
  • medfield college
Q8

What is the $100,000 quiz tournament prize used for?

The $100,000 prize from the televised quiz tournament serves as the primary motivation for the entire story. The students at Medfield College desperately need this money to acquire a vital computer for their studies. The tournament becomes the central conflict driving the plot, with Dexter's extraordinary abilities making victory possible despite the numerous obstacles thrown their way.

  • quiz tournament
  • 100000 prize
  • medfield college
  • computer funding

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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