Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985)

PG-13 | 87 mins | Comedy | 29 March 1985

Director:

Jerry Paris

Producer:

Paul Maslansky

Cinematographer:

James Crabe

Editor:

Bob Wyman

Production Designer:

Trevor Williams

Production Companies:

Warner Bros. Pictures , The Ladd Company
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HISTORY

The following title card appears in opening credits: "The city is a dangerous place. The graduates of Police Academy, Class of '84, are a determined group of men and women ready for their first assignment. Is the city ready for them?"
       End credits include the following acknowledgement: "Family Affair clip courtesy of Viacom Enterprises."
       Following the successful opening of 1984’s Police Academy (see entry), The Ladd Company immediately began work on the sequel, and a spring 1985 release date was announced in the 30 Mar 1984 DV. The 3 Apr 1984 HR reported the working title, Police Academy II.
       According to the 3 Jul 1984 HR, principal photography would begin 18 Aug 1984 in Toronto, Canada, under the direction of Jim Signorelli. However, the 27 Nov 1984 HR reported that after three weeks of filming, Signorelli was replaced by Jerry Paris, citing “creative differences.” Budget concerns and delays in production were rumored to be the true cause of Signorelli’s departure on the $10 million picture.
       Although the 18 Dec 1984 HR production chart announced a 24 Oct 1984 start date, production notes in AMPAS library files report principal photography under Paris began 17 Oct 1984, in Los Angeles, CA. According to the 27 Dec 1984 DV, producer Paul Maslansky requested that the three weeks of footage filmed by Jim Signorelli be reshot, as it was “not in the style” he wanted. DV listed the new budget as $8 million, and stated that Maslansky was already planning to begin production on the third film in ...

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The following title card appears in opening credits: "The city is a dangerous place. The graduates of Police Academy, Class of '84, are a determined group of men and women ready for their first assignment. Is the city ready for them?"
       End credits include the following acknowledgement: "Family Affair clip courtesy of Viacom Enterprises."
       Following the successful opening of 1984’s Police Academy (see entry), The Ladd Company immediately began work on the sequel, and a spring 1985 release date was announced in the 30 Mar 1984 DV. The 3 Apr 1984 HR reported the working title, Police Academy II.
       According to the 3 Jul 1984 HR, principal photography would begin 18 Aug 1984 in Toronto, Canada, under the direction of Jim Signorelli. However, the 27 Nov 1984 HR reported that after three weeks of filming, Signorelli was replaced by Jerry Paris, citing “creative differences.” Budget concerns and delays in production were rumored to be the true cause of Signorelli’s departure on the $10 million picture.
       Although the 18 Dec 1984 HR production chart announced a 24 Oct 1984 start date, production notes in AMPAS library files report principal photography under Paris began 17 Oct 1984, in Los Angeles, CA. According to the 27 Dec 1984 DV, producer Paul Maslansky requested that the three weeks of footage filmed by Jim Signorelli be reshot, as it was “not in the style” he wanted. DV listed the new budget as $8 million, and stated that Maslansky was already planning to begin production on the third film in the series, then titled Police III, in the summer of 1985.
       Production notes report that the building used for the “16th Precinct” exterior was the same one used as the headquarters in the 1984 film, Ghostbusters (see entry). Another location of note was a bear pit in the old Griffith Park Zoo, which served as the “Scullions” hideout. The film’s street fair scene featured a cameo by director Jerry Paris, who began his career as an actor, as the Ferris wheel attendant. The street fair sequence was filmed during “hurricane-force winds,” and cast and crew reportedly dodged falling glass from broken light strings throughout the shoot, according to production notes.
       The 9 Jan 1985 Var announced principal photography would finish that week, $250,000 over the $7.8 million budget.
       Despite the 1 Apr 1985 HR film review’s observation, “dialogue is about as limp as the criminal justice system,” the sequel broke a ten-day record, opening with $23,780,362 on 1,613 screens, according to the 11 Apr 1985 DV. The Jun 1985 Box announced $32 million in earnings after seventeen days.
       The 1 Aug 1986 HR announced a lawsuit was filed against Warner Bros. Entertainment by Source Entertainment, Smashing Pictures, Neal Israel and Pat Proft, over film profits.
       The Police Academy franchise included four additional sequels: Police Academy 3: Back In Training (1986), Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol (1987), Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988), and Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989, see entries).

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GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Box Office
Jun 1985
---
Daily Variety
30 Mar 1984
---
Daily Variety
31 Aug 1984
---
Daily Variety
12 Nov 1984
---
Daily Variety
27 Dec 1984
---
Daily Variety
11 Apr 1985
---
Hollywood Reporter
3 Apr 1984
---
Hollywood Reporter
3 Jul 1984
---
Hollywood Reporter
27 Nov 1984
---
Hollywood Reporter
18 Dec 1984
---
Hollywood Reporter
1 Apr 1985
p. 3, 17
Hollywood Reporter
1 Aug 1986
---
Los Angeles Times
1 Apr 1985
Section J, p. 3
New York Times
31 Mar 1985
p. 55
Variety
9 Jan 1985
p. 6, 30
Variety
3 Apr 1985
p. 14
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION TEXTS
The Ladd Company Presents
A Paul Maslansky Production
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTORS
Prod mgr
1st asst dir
1st asst dir
2d asst dir
2d asst dir
PRODUCERS
Co-prod
Exec prod
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dir of photog
Michael A. Benson
Cam op
1st cam asst
2d cam asst
Still photog
Best boy
Key grip
Best boy
Dolly grip
Lamp op
Lamp op
Lamp op
ART DIRECTORS
Prod des
Tech adv to art dept
Asst to art dept
FILM EDITORS
Bob Wyman
Ed
Addl ed by
Addl ed by
Asst film ed
Asst film ed
Asst film ed
Donah Bassett
Negative cutting
SET DECORATORS
Set dec
Set dec
Prop master
Asst prop master
Leadman
Set dresser
Set dresser
Const coord
Head painter
Painter
Painter and signmaker
COSTUMES
MUSIC
Mus comp
Scoring mixer
Mus coord
SOUND
Supv sd ed
Sd ed
Sd ed
Sd ed
Sd ed
Bill Nelson
Prod sd mixer
Sd rec
Re-rec mixer
Re-rec mixer
Re-rec mixer
ADR mixer
ADR ed
Asst sd ed
Boom op
VISUAL EFFECTS
Spec eff coord
Spec eff
Spec eff
Spec eff
Spec eff
Titles and opticals
MAKEUP
Makeup artist
Makeup artist
Hairstylist
PRODUCTION MISC
Casting
Casting
Loc mgr
Scr supv
Prod assoc
Prod assoc
Prod assoc
Transportation coord
Transportation capt
Dog trainer
Dog trainer
Animals supplied by
Extra casting
Prod secy
Asst to Mr. Paris
Casting assoc
Casting, extras
Casting, extras
Prod accountant
Asst prod accountant
Craft service
First aid
Transportation co-capt
Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
STAND INS
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunts
Stunt coord
COLOR PERSONNEL
Col timer
Col by
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on characters created by Neal Israel & Pat Proft
SONGS
"Dirty Work," performed by Tony Warren, written by Gary Goetzman & Mike Piccirillo, produced by Tena R. Clark; "My Town," written by Vera Clark; "Thin Ice," performed by Pam Tillis, written by Tena R. Clark & Wayne Perkins, produced by Tena R. Clark, published by Catdaddy Music; "Johnny Get The Handcuffs," performed, written and produced by Moon Martin, published by Rockslam Music & Bug Music; "Temporary Insanity," performed by The Townsends, written by Linsey White, Michael Rochelle & Steve Berry, produced by Mike Piccirillo & Gary Goetzman; "The Secret Is Safe," performed by Michael DesBarres & Holly Knight, written by Michael DesBarres & Nigel Harrison, produced by Michael Chapman, published by Careers & Tea Time Tunes & Makiki.
SONGWRITERS/COMPOSERS
+
DETAILS
Series:
Alternate Title:
Police Academy II
Release Date:
29 March 1985
Premiere Information:
Los Angeles and New York openings: 29 Mar 1985
Production Date:
17 Oct 1984--early Jan 1985
Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
The Ladd Company
1 July 1985
PA255002
Physical Properties:
Sound
Color
Lenses
Lenses and Panaflex® Cameras by Panavision®
Duration(in mins):
87
MPAA Rating:
PG-13
Country:
United States
Language:
English
PCA No:
27730
SYNOPSIS

After the city is taken over by an unknown gang, Chief Hurst gives Captain Pete Lassard thirty days to turn his department around and rid the city of criminals. Lassard is given permission to hire six new officers to achieve his mission. Behind his back, Lieutenant Mauser is told he can take over the role of captain if Lassard fails. Captain Lassard telephones his brother, Commandant Eric Lassard, who runs a Police Academy, and asks him to send over six recruits. Officers Laverne Hooks, Doug Fackler, Eugene Tackleberry, Hightower, Larvell Jones, and Carey Mahoney arrive at the 16th Precinct, and the captain explains their mission to identify gang members, find their hideout, and arrest them. The rookies are paired with partners, and set out to patrol the streets. Tackleberry is unhappy with his new partner, Kathleen Kirkland, and lets his disappointment be known. Elsewhere, a local business owner, Mr. Sistrunk, is robbed at gunpoint by two thugs. Mahoney and his partner, Dooley, witness the crime. They radio for backup, but Lt. Mauser orders them to enter the building on their own. However, the other recruits arrive on the scene, and engage in a bumbling shoot-out with each other. The gang members continue to terrorize the community, and vandalize a grocery store. Drinking at a bar after hours, Tackleberry tells Mahoney about his developing feelings for his partner, Kirkland, and admits to being a virgin. Sometime later, Lt. Mauser gives Mahoney a menial assignment monitoring the carbon monoxide levels inside a traffic tunnel. Mahoney plays a prank on Mauser, exchanging Epoxy for his shampoo, causing Mauser’s hands ...

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After the city is taken over by an unknown gang, Chief Hurst gives Captain Pete Lassard thirty days to turn his department around and rid the city of criminals. Lassard is given permission to hire six new officers to achieve his mission. Behind his back, Lieutenant Mauser is told he can take over the role of captain if Lassard fails. Captain Lassard telephones his brother, Commandant Eric Lassard, who runs a Police Academy, and asks him to send over six recruits. Officers Laverne Hooks, Doug Fackler, Eugene Tackleberry, Hightower, Larvell Jones, and Carey Mahoney arrive at the 16th Precinct, and the captain explains their mission to identify gang members, find their hideout, and arrest them. The rookies are paired with partners, and set out to patrol the streets. Tackleberry is unhappy with his new partner, Kathleen Kirkland, and lets his disappointment be known. Elsewhere, a local business owner, Mr. Sistrunk, is robbed at gunpoint by two thugs. Mahoney and his partner, Dooley, witness the crime. They radio for backup, but Lt. Mauser orders them to enter the building on their own. However, the other recruits arrive on the scene, and engage in a bumbling shoot-out with each other. The gang members continue to terrorize the community, and vandalize a grocery store. Drinking at a bar after hours, Tackleberry tells Mahoney about his developing feelings for his partner, Kirkland, and admits to being a virgin. Sometime later, Lt. Mauser gives Mahoney a menial assignment monitoring the carbon monoxide levels inside a traffic tunnel. Mahoney plays a prank on Mauser, exchanging Epoxy for his shampoo, causing Mauser’s hands to get stuck in his hair. To free his hands, Mauser is forced to cut his hair, and wear a wig to cover the bald spots. Captain Lassard chases gang members into an alley, but is ambushed and covered in spray paint by the thugs. He returns to the station, fired up, and demands the officers catch the crooks. Officers Larvell and Hightower each single-handedly fight and arrest several gang members, and Lassard celebrates their forty-two arrests. However, Lt. Mauser sabotages the captain and releases the inmates, citing unnecessary use of force by the officers. Mahoney retaliates by sending a nurse to give Mauser a cavity search. Sometime later, Takleberry takes Kirkland on a date. At the end of the night, they profess their love for each other. Lassard blames his troubles on the new recruits, and asks his brother Eric for help. Eric suggests he throw a street fair to unite the community. The gang members arrive at the fair, and havoc ensues. Lassard quits his post, knowing that his job is on the line, and Mauser takes over as captain. Mauser demands to know who pulled the prank on him. Mahoney confesses, and is suspended from the police force. Lassard meets secretly with Mahoney at a bar, and asks him to go undercover to infiltrate the gang. Mahoney agrees, disguises himself as a thug named “Jughead,” and vandalizes a phone booth in front of gang members, Flacko and Mojo. They invite him to meet their leader, Zed, and to join their gang, the “Scullions.” After “Jughead’s” destructive behavior on the street, police arrive to arrest him, but Mahoney’s friend, Officer Larvell Jones, recognizes him, and keeps Mahoney’s identity a secret. Sometime later, Lassard tapes a toy microphone to Mahoney’s chest, and follows behind as he is driven by Flacko and Mojo to meet Zed at their hideout in an abandoned zoo. Lassard radios for backup, and officers rush to help. Mauser arrives at the zoo, and attempts to take over the operation from Lassard, but bungles the arrests. Inside an abandoned animal lair, Zed and Mahoney have a knife fight. As Zed flees, Lassard holds him at gunpoint and arrests him. The officers celebrate his capture, and welcome Lassard back as their captain. In time, everyone attends the wedding of Tackleberry and Kirkland.

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GENRE
Genre:
Sub-genre:
Action, Police


Subject

Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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