Just after the release of House Party 2 and a couple of years before House Party 3, Kid N' Play teamed up for Class Act, a Prince and the Pauper descendant by way of Trading Places. Kid plays a poindextery nerd, and Play is a delinquent. They both transfer to the same school, and oh snap, their records and photos get switched! File this one under remakes that don't wouldn't work in the Information Age.

Best-known for her role as Hilary on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Karyn Parsons (seated, left) has the movie's most-quoted line, "Let's make bacon!"

One of the things Class Act does better than many, many movies is that the game show-style academic competition show sequence is blissfully short. The cast is an interesting mix, from Rhea Perlman to Pauly Shore to Doug E. Doug to Meshach Taylor (Hollywood Montrose from Mannequin). There's a brief appearance from the wonderful Loretta Devine. I'd forgotten that one of my college theatre professors, Tony Simotes (now Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Co.) appears briefly as well.

Class Act is early 90's, sub-100 minute comedy at its most typical. It's a waste of time to some, but has nostalgic value to many of us.

Madames et Monsieurs...The Wiez

Warner Archive will have Class Act available for sale starting 18 May at this link.