*1/2 (out of four)
The sequel to The Misadventures of Merlin Jones is an episodic mess that seems more like two or three sitcoms episodes thrown together into a full legnth film.
Tommy Kirk is back as the smartest kid at Midvale College. This time he is chosen by one of the regents to find a way to help the football
players to pass their classes so they can play. The academic minded people are portrayed as the villains here because they feel that the classroom is more important than touchdowns.
This boring gagfest is lame even for Disney standards of the time. There are missed opportunities throughout. The film's very best moment happens at the very start when Annette Funicello performs with the Beach Boys in front of classmates. It is downhill from there.
April 5, 2009
