Walt Disney Art Classics Convention 2004 - Part 2
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“But enough of old black and white comedies!�? cried Kurtti and Tieman. “I want something groovy and contemporary and hip and far out—and with Kurt Russell!�? And so the class was treated to something groovy, with a rock and roll beat: 1969’s The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.

A radio spot played, laid against the hip music of the singing group The Electric Tennis Shoes. Despite the far out sounds, the announcer assured all that the film was “rated G for everyone!�?

Apparently Medfield had fallen on hard times, Kurtti and Tieman pointed out, and without accreditation, the school would have to close its doors. Publicity stills of principal cast members were shown: Joe Flynn of McHale’s Navy as the Dean; Ceasar Romero as the villainous A.J. Arno; Hal Smith reprising his role as the town drunk (which he memorably portrayed on the Andy Griffith Show); and film veteran Fritz Feld (with his patented mouth popping trick), seen in a still with Kurt Russell and what Kurtti and Tieman were fairly certain was a large vial of crack cocaine.

A shot taken on the patio of the Medfield College Cafeteria was immediately identified as the Disney Studio Commissary. A dead giveaway was the “Administration Building�? across the street—actually the Disney Studio’s Feature Animation building.

In Son of Flubber, Disney’s original Feature Animation building appeared as the Medfield College Administration Building.

Other sections of the studio that appeared in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes were shown. The Studio gate was the gate to WCBD-TV and the backs of soundstages doubled as a warehouse district. Scenes at “Medfield Airport,�? however, were shot in Burbank. But, pointed out Kurtti and Tieman, how did palm trees get in Midwestern Medfield?

A photo of groovy Kurt Russell at the Burbank airport