On this day May 19, 1989, the teen comedy How I Got into College premiered in theaters. Directed by Savage Steve Holland, the film followed a high school senior’s frantic efforts to get accepted into college to be near the girl of his dreams. The cast featured Anthony Edwards, Lara Flynn Boyle, Tichina Arnold and Phil Hartman.
The film took a lighthearted and quirky look at the pressure and absurdity of the college admissions process, a subject not often explored in 80s comedies. Though it had a unique tone and humorous charm, the movie struggled at the box office, bringing in only 1.6 million dollars against a 10 million dollar budget.
Despite its modest success, the film became a minor cult favorite among fans of 80s teen cinema and viewers who appreciated Holland’s signature offbeat storytelling.
Fun fact: This was one of the earliest film roles for Lara Flynn Boyle before her breakout in Twin Peaks the following year.