House Party and how it became one of the pillars of New Line Cinema Part 1

 

Back in March of 1990 I was in my mid teens. Most weekends were spent goign to see movies at one of the many movie theaters near me. And at the time New Line Cinema was known for the Elm Street series of films and the TMNT film. I had seen trailers for a new comedy coming out from New Line. House Party was the title of the film. But the trailers looked like crap. I figured I would just wait for the movie to hit vhs and I would rent it.

Then the Monday after House Party came out everybody at school was talking about it. So that day after school was over I borrowed Dad's car and drove to the theater to see the movie. And damn when it was over I was hurting from laughing so much.

Now the plot is simple. Kid got into a fight at school,when some bullies called Kid's dead mother a hooker. And that night since Play's parents are out of town there is a big House Party at Play's place. So Kid is trying to make sure his Dad,the late Robin Harris,doesn't learn about the fight.

Kid ends up sneaking out of his house to got the party. Has a pile of adventures getting to the party. With one of the best moments being when Kid ends up at a snotty party with George Clinton spinning records. 

Once Kid arrives at the party we get a great set of dances. With Kid and Play having a dance off with Sydney and Charane. Seems both Kid and Play have the hots for Sydney and Charane. 

Kid's dad realizes Kid snuck out so is heading over to the party to find him. But thankfully Kid has already left to walk Sydney and Charane home.After walking both ladies home Kid has another run in with the bullies from school and this causes Kid and the bullies to end up in the local police station's lock up.

Kid uses his one phone call to call Play to come bail him out. Thankfully Play,Bilai and Sydney and Charane get to the police station before any of the inmates get a chance to rape Kid. Yep it is 1990 and the lead is in jail so gotta have  a rape joke.

After dropping the two ladies off at their homes Kid is offered the chance to come back to Plays and watch a movie. Or sneak back into his house and goto bed. Kid chooses to sneak back into his home. He is just laying down to sleep when his father catches him and the film rolls the credits as we hear Kid getting his ass whipped by his dad.

What makes this film stand out is the cast. Kid and Play were at the time a rising rap duo. And both of them are great in their parts. Pretty much playing themselves. With Kid as the more level headed guy. And Play is the girl chasing kinda sleazy dude. Martin Lawrence is great as their DJ Bilail.

Sydney is Tisha Campbell,who would go on to play Martin Lawrence's girlfriend on  the hit sitcom Martin. Tisha is really good as Sydney. Sydney is the kinda nice girl that we all knew back in high school. AJ Johnson is amazing as Sharane. Never seen her in anything before or after this. But she captures that vibe of the teen girl that grew up in the projects.

You got the three members of the rap group Full Force as the 3 bullies. Sure 2 of them appear to be 30 so look way too old to be high school students.The late John Witherspoon has a fun part as one of Play's neighbors. He is pretty much playing a prototype version of his character from the Friday series of films. 

Then you got Robin Harris. IIRC he died before this film came out. He was a stand up comedian best known for his Bebe's Kids bit. He is Kid's father. Harris manages to show you how much he cares about his son. But also is so damn funny. The scene were Harris is harassed by cops never fails too make me laugh.

So how is this film a pillar of New Line Cinema? Well the film cost 2.5 million. And made 26.4 million at box office. Plus who knows how much it has made off home video. When this came out New Line was known for the Elm Street films,which saved New Line in the mid 80s. And the first Ninja Turtles film. Both were huge hits and both made New Line a studio that horror fans and kids loved. House Party managed to get for New Line a new group of fans.  Pretty much every teen and young adult went to see House  Party and made the film a huge hit.