Alright campers, gather 'round the flickering glow of the CRT! Tonight on VHS Heaven, we're popping in a tape that practically smells like Giorgio Beverly Hills perfume and slightly damp canvas – the gloriously excessive, wonderfully charming 1989 gem, Troop Beverly Hills. Forget gritty realism; this is pure, unadulterated 80s wish-fulfillment served with a side of designer merit badges.
Did you know the whole fabulous fish-out-of-water premise wasn't just dreamed up by Hollywood scriptwriters? It was actually inspired by the real-life experiences of producer Ava Ostern Fries, who indeed led her daughter's Beverly Hills Girl Scout troop. That little nugget of truth somehow makes the on-screen absurdity even more delightful. We're dropped headfirst into the manicured world of Phyllis Nefler (Shelley Long), a Beverly Hills socialite adrift in a sea of couture and catered lunches, facing a potential divorce from her workaholic "Freddy the Fret" husband (Craig T. Nelson, bringing his trademark exasperated charm). To prove she can stick with something – anything – she volunteers to lead her daughter Hannah's struggling Wilderness Girls troop. What follows is less "roughing it" and more "redecorating it."
### Khaki is SO Last Season
Let's be honest, a huge part of the enduring appeal here is Shelley Long. Fresh off her iconic run as Diane Chambers on Cheers, she throws herself into the role of Phyllis with infectious gusto. Phyllis isn't just clueless about the outdoors; she approaches it with the same meticulous planning she'd give to a charity gala, albeit with wildly different priorities. Her initial appearance in a modified, fur-trimmed Wilderness Girls uniform is an all-time classic movie entrance. And those costumes weren't just thrown together; they were designed by the legendary Theadora Van Runkle, the genius behind the iconic looks of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and The Godfather Part II (1974). Knowing that adds a layer of almost surreal legitimacy to Phyllis’s parade of bespoke camping gear. It’s absurd, yes, but it’s intentionally absurd, and Long sells every sequin.
The film cleverly pits Phyllis’s pampered troop against the more traditional, militant Culver City Red Feathers, led by the hilariously stern Velda Plendor (Betty Thomas, who perfectly embodies the no-nonsense antagonist and later became a successful director herself with films like The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) and Private Parts (1997)). Velda is everything Phyllis isn't – practical, disciplined, and utterly contemptuous of the Beverly Hills lifestyle. Their rivalry provides the film's main comedic engine, fueled by director Jeff Kanew's light touch, previously seen helming another 80s classic about misfits finding their place, Revenge of the Nerds (1984).
### Camping, Beverly Hills Style
The joy of Troop Beverly Hills lies in watching Phyllis apply her unique skill set to the challenges of the wilderness… or rather, bring the wilderness kicking and screaming into her comfort zone. Early "camping" trips involve pitching tents on the manicured lawns of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Merit badges aren't just earned; they're celebrated with shopping sprees on Rodeo Drive. Remember that scene where Phyllis teaches the girls about navigating by the stars... using celebrity homes as landmarks? Pure comedic gold. And who could forget the cameos sprinkled throughout, like Cheech Marin as himself, helping the troop cross the street, or a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance by Willie Garson?
It’s easy to dismiss the film as pure fluff, a celebration of vapid consumerism. And sure, it leans into the excess of the late 80s with unapologetic glee. But beneath the designer backpacks and mineral water canteens, there's a surprising amount of heart. Phyllis genuinely connects with the girls, using her unique talents – negotiating skills, style sense, sheer force of personality – to empower them. They learn about teamwork, resilience, and yes, even the importance of a well-timed "Cookie Time" jingle (an earworm that surely burrowed its way into many a sleepover). The film sneakily suggests that "survival skills" can come in many forms, even if one involves knowing which jeweler gives the best appraisal.
### From Box Office Dud to Cult Classic
It's funny to think back now, but Troop Beverly Hills wasn't exactly a smash hit upon release. Made for around $18 million, it only pulled in about $8.5 million at the box office. Critics were largely unkind, dismissing it as shallow and silly. But oh, how things change! Like so many films we cherish here at VHS Heaven, it found its true audience on home video and television. It became a sleepover staple, a comfort watch, a movie passed around between friends who appreciated its blend of humor, heart, and high fashion. It tapped into that fantasy of having unlimited resources mixed with the relatable awkwardness of trying to fit in.
In Conclusion: Troop Beverly Hills is a delightful time capsule, a fizzy cocktail of 80s excess, genuinely funny performances, and surprising warmth. Shelley Long is captivating as the irrepressible Phyllis, and the clash between her world and the rugged outdoors provides endless comedic fodder. It’s unabashedly silly, often predictable, but executed with such charm and specific style that it’s impossible not to enjoy.
Rating: 7/10 - The plot is thinner than a Neiman Marcus catalog, and it won't challenge your worldview, but for sheer nostalgic fun, quotable lines ("Patches? We don't need no stinkin' patches!"), and Shelley Long's tour-de-force performance, it earns its place on the shelf. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best survival tool is simply knowing how to accessorize.
Final Thought: It might be the only camping movie where you're more likely to get blisters from your heels than your hiking boots, and honestly? That’s precisely why we loved rewinding this tape again and again. What a thrill!