The Pom Pom Girls (1976) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set primarily at Rosedale High School, with key scenes taking place on the football field, in the gym, and throughout the school hallways. The rivalry with Hardin High is a central element, driving the pranks and public challenges that define the story's conflict.

• rosedale high school
• hardin high
• football field
• setting
• school

The film is set in the 1970s, reflecting the era of its 1976 release. The setting captures classic 70s high school culture with its emphasis on football popularity, pom-pom squads, and the social dynamics typical of that decade's teen comedies.

• 1970s
• time period
• era
• 70s high school

The movie explores three primary themes: Rivalry between Rosedale and Hardin High, which fuels escalating pranks and competitions; Romance, focusing on the love triangles and romantic entanglements among the characters; and Growth, as characters confront choices that test their responsibility and maturity.

• rivalry
• romance
• growth
• themes
• coming of age

The rivalry between Rosedale High and Hardin High serves as the story's main engine, manifesting in escalating pranks, public challenges, and competitive stunts. The pom-pom squad and football team use bravado to vie for attention and dominance, with pride pushing teens toward risky behavior that blurs the line between competition and harm.

• rivalry
• hardin high
• rosedale high
• pranks
• competition

Johnnie Chrystal (played by Robert Carradine) is the star quarterback and swaggering leader of Rosedale's football team. He embodies competitive bravado, actively courting attention from the pom-pom girls while keeping rivals close. His late-game decision in the dangerous Suicide Chicken challenge ultimately tests his courage and reshapes his outlook on risk and responsibility.

• johnnie chrystal
• quarterback
• football team
• leader
• suicide chicken

Jesse Davis (played by Michael Mullins) is a talented but volatile football player whose romantic escapades threaten team cohesion. His erratic behavior draws warnings from Coach Hartman and leads to his temporary removal from the squad. His arc explores themes of desire, consequences, and eventually taking responsibility for his actions.

• jesse davis
• football player
• coach hartman
• romance
• consequences

The key pom-pom girls include Sally (played by Lisa Reeves), who attracts attention from both Johnnie and rival Duane; Roxanne (Cheryl Smith), who forms a connection with Jesse and sits at the center of the love-triangle dynamics; Sue Ann (Susan Player), whose relationship with Jesse creates a key romantic complication; and Laurie (Jennifer Ashley), who emphasizes boundaries within the group and disapproves of Jesse's pursuits.

• sally
• roxanne
• sue ann
• laurie
• pom-pom girls
• cheerleaders

Duane (played by Bill Adler) is Johnnie's longtime rival who fuels the inter-school rivalry with aggressive challenges and bravado. He participates in the perilous Suicide Chicken showdown alongside Johnnie, embodying risk-taking and the more dangerous side of teenage competition. His clashes with Johnnie drive much of the film's suspense and physical danger.

• duane
• rival
• johnnie
• suicide chicken
• competition

Coach Hartman (played by James Gammon) serves as the authority figure who tries to steer Jesse away from reckless choices and keep the football team focused. He balances discipline with an understanding of teenage life, offering tough feedback and guidance. His decisions shape the team's fate and represent the adult perspective trying to maintain order amid the teen chaos.

• coach hartman
• coach
• authority
• discipline
• guidance

The Big Game refers to the major football rivalry matchup between Rosedale High and Hardin High. This event serves as the focal point for the campus excitement, driving the prank war and heightening tensions between the two schools. The outcome and the surrounding events serve as the climax toward which much of the story's conflict builds.

• big game
• football game
• hardin high
• rivalry
• climax

The Pom Pom Girls is a teen comedy from 1976 that fits squarely within the era's teen sex comedy genre. The tone is light and playful, focusing on hijinks, romantic flirtations, and comedic rivalry. The narrative is straightforward, following a linear plot with clear character goals centered on popularity, the upcoming Big Game, and romantic pursuits.

• teen comedy
• 1976
• genre
• comedy
• lighthearted