56 Years Ago, Disney’s Forgotten Sci-fi Franchise Officially Began (With a Fan-Favorite Actor in the Lead)

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While many people associate Disney with its classic animated films from the 1940s and 50s, the company also created a number of successful live-action movies. Titles like Old Yeller, The Parent Trap, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Swiss Family Robinson became beloved classics. Beyond these well-known films, Disney has actually produced a surprisingly large number of feature films over the years, including several franchises that haven’t been revisited for decades, though some benefit from continued popularity through the Disney theme parks.

Back in December 1969 (though the exact release date is debated), Disney released its last film of the decade: a fun, family-friendly science fiction movie called The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. It was the fourth Disney film starring Kurt Russell, and while it might seem simple, it proved surprisingly popular – launching a franchise that continued with two sequels and even a remake!

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Is a Classic Disney Sci-fi Movie

Okay, let me tell you about The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. It’s a really charming, old-fashioned movie, especially by today’s standards. The story unfolds at Medfield College – we’ll get back to that quirky setting in a bit! It centers around Dexter Riley, a student who clashes with the college powers-that-be. They’re hoping for a new computer, but the administration won’t bite, so Dexter and his friends turn to local businessman A.J. Arno – you might recognize Cesar Romero, who played the Joker in Batman – hoping he’ll donate one. Turns out, Arno’s using his computer for some not-so-honest gambling. Then things get really weird. During a stormy night, while Dexter’s fixing the computer, he gets shocked and…well, he basically becomes a human computer! Suddenly, he’s fluent in every language and can solve incredibly complex problems in a flash. It’s a delightfully silly premise, and it all kicks off from there.

Okay, so things get really weird after Dexter breezes through this impossible exam. The college staff instantly knows something’s not right and basically get him to admit he was messing with a computer the night before. They even have a doctor check him out, and the results are just hilarious – his brain scan looks like it’s full of computer parts! Suddenly, Dexter’s a huge celebrity. There’s a parade, he meets people from the UN, it’s crazy. Then, Medfield decides to capitalize on his genius by entering him into a TV quiz show to win prize money and boost their reputation. It’s a whole spectacle, honestly!

Fans of science fiction might be disappointed with The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes because the film quickly abandons the clever idea that drives the story. Once the movie explores every possibility of Dexter’s incredible knowledge, the plot loses its energy, and Dexter even loses his abilities after a head injury. While Dexter does win the game show and helps shut down a gambling operation, it doesn’t feel like a satisfying conclusion to his adventures or the story of Medfield College.

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Started a Franchise

Kurt Russell first played Dexter Riley in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, and returned to the role three years later in Now You See Him, Now You Don’t, where Riley, still a college student, invents a formula for invisibility. He played Riley one last time in 1975’s The Strongest Man in the World, which follows a predictable path. Interestingly, Russell’s final portrayal of Dexter Riley happened just six years before he became famous for playing Snake Plissken in Escape from New York, showing how quickly he transitioned to the roles fans know him best for.

Interestingly, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes and its follow-ups share a connection with two other Disney films. The college setting first appeared in The Absent-Minded Professor and Son of Flubber, years before The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. Later, in 1995, a TV movie remake was made with Kirk Cameron as Dexter Riley, and it marked Peyton Reed’s (director of Marvel’s Ant-Man) first time directing a film.

It’s easy to think of Disney as just the studio behind beloved animated films and their recent live-action adaptations. However, over the years, they’ve created many lesser-known movies that are both enjoyable and historically significant, launching the careers of several actors. While The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes isn’t one of Disney’s most famous films, it’s a unique part of their collection, and it might have even helped launch Kurt Russell’s career.

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2025-12-24 16:42