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The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

(1969, Rated G, Family and kids, Starring Kurt Russell, Cesar Romero, Joe Flynn)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    1960s Disney comedy has lesson on fame's price.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Dexter suddenly becomes famous and has every luxury at his fingertips. Girls fawn over him, scientists and world leaders go gaga, he is the object of a ticker-tape parade. How he deals with his fame is the lesson of this story. He comes to the conclusion that "everyone is out for himself," in that world of glamour, and he returns to his humble gang of friends.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Some slapstick tussling with incompetent mobsters who chase Dexter's friends in a wacky car chase and try to abduct him by gunpoint.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Dexter is shown kissing two girls on TV, while his girlfriend watches from afar. He later apologizes.

  • Language:

    Dean Higgins calls people "stupid" and bad-mouths Dexter and his friends. Dexter's girlfriend calls him a "dirty rat."

  • Consumerism:

    Though Dexter is given everything when he becomes famous, he decides to come back to his old friends and humble ways. He does drive a pretty tricked-out dune-buggy, though.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

Parents need to know that groovy duds and gigantic computers are sure to amuse modern young viewers. Some of the scenes of Dexter's abduction feature thugs with guns. The thugs even shoot at the truck Dexter's friends are driving, but it is portrayed in a slapstick, cartoonish way.

Read our full review by Joly Herman

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what it would be like to be smarter than everyone else. How does fame affect Dexter? Does he begin to behave differently? What would you say to him if you were his friend to bring him back to reality?
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