The Principal (1987)
- Starring:
- James Belushi, Louis Gossett, Jr., (more)
- Director(s):
- Christopher Cain
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Format(s):
- DVD
| Digital SD
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Synopsis of The Principal
An impulsive but determined white principal brings order and respect to a predominantly African-American and Latino high school in this comedy-drama from the director of Young Guns and That Was Then, This Is Now. Rick Latimer (James Belushi), a high-school teacher, is in the process of a divorce when he sees his estranged wife at a bar having drinks with her attorney. Drunk and enraged, he smashes the guy's car up and receives a reprimand from the school board -- a new job as principal at rough-and-tumble Brandel High. Security guard Jake Phillips (Louis Gossett Jr.) is soon teaching his new boss the ropes, but Rick isn't willing to accept the violent and drug-ridden status quo. With a two-word motto -- "No More!" -- he sets about cleaning out the riff-raff, also taking time out to tutor students and get to know Jake. But when chief thug Victor (Michael Wright) refuses to back down, the violence escalates. Eventually, Victor's vengeance threatens the lives of steely history teacher Hilary Orozco (Rae Dawn Chong) -- and Rick himself. Kelly Minter, who plays one of Brandel High's troubled students, portrayed a dyslexic in the similarly themed Summer School the same year The Principal was released. Screenwriter Frank Deese would go on to write the Corey Haim/Corey Feldman vehicle License to Drive. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 105 mins
Complete Cast of The Principal
- James Belushi - Rick Latimer
- Rae Dawn Chong - Hilary Orozco
- J.J. Cohen - "White Zac"
- Troy Winbush - "Baby" Emile
- Tommy Ryan - Robert Darcy
- Kelly Minter - Treena Lester
- John Allen Vick - Frank Valdis
- Danny Williams - Dangerous Danny
- Steve W. Birger - Stevie B.
- Richard Duppell - Buddy
- Tom Winston - Principal O'Connor
- Eural Wills - Student
- Joel Valentin - Kid
- Daniel Royal - Will
- Danny Kovacs - Substitute Teacher
- Marshall Jones - Gang Memeber
- Tony Haney - Police Officer
- Jeffrey Jay Cohen - White Zac
- Ruth Beckford - Mrs. Jenkins
- Gus Dimas - Gus
- Bill Yarbrough - Randall
- Delores Mitchell - Mrs. Coswell
- Melissa Lee Holloman - Student
- James Edward Griffin - Gang Student
- Peter Fitzsimmons - Buddy
- Tom Bryant - Chocked Teacher
- Mark Anger - Desk Officer
- Sharon Thomas - Kimberly
- Louis Gossett, Jr. - Jake Phillips
- Michael Wright - Victor Duncan
- Esai Morales - Raymi Rojas
- Jacob Vargas - Arturo Diego
- Reggie Johnson - Jojo
- Wat Takeshita - Maintenance Man
- Frank Deese - Mr. Petersen
- Ann Armour - Mrs. Ripton
- Terry Coleman - Student
- Wood Josh - Charles Lester
- Jessica Wilson - Girl
- Nemon Wade - Student
- Elliott S. Valderrama - Drug Dealer
- Bridgette Rodriguez - Girl
- Kathryn Knotts - Jan Buchanan
- J.J. Johnston - Will
- Joe Flood - Terhune
- Julian Brooks - Kevin
- David Williams - Gang Student
- Luis Zuno - Student
- Martin Pistone - Security Guard
- Yuri Lane - Lance Woodbury
- Rick Hamilton - Mr. Hanley
- Zoltan Gray - P.E. Teacher
- Leo Downey - George Pierce
- Sean Allen Barnes - Rolf
- Doug White - Eric
- Joan Valderrama - Secretary
- Director(s):
- Christopher Cain
- Writer(s):
- Frank Deese, John Fusco III
- Producer(s):
- Thomas H. Brodek
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Not For Children, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Violence)
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