Classics: A Review of The Royal Tenenbaums By Lauren Ennis

The holidays are a time for food, fun, and the warm glow of family dysfunction. In keeping with the spirit of the season I’ll be turning this week’s spotlight on a film that features a clan who personify all that we love to hate and hate to admit that we love about family; The Royal Tenenbaums. Through its deft combination of sarcastic wit and heartfelt sentiment the film aptly portrays all the ways in which families can drive each other up the proverbial wall while capturing the love that continues to bring them to the holiday table. Eccentric, outrageous, and royally funny, The Royal Tenenbaums are one family who put the fun in family dysfunction.

I always wanted to be a Tenenbaum...

The story begins with an introduction to Royal (Gene Hackman) and Etheline (Angelica Houston) Tenenbaum and their precocious prodigy children Chas (Ben Stiller), Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), and Ritchie (Luke Wilson). The family lead charmed lives as Chas becomes a business whiz, Ritchie sets off on the path to tennis stardom, and Margot becomes an award-winning playwright; all before reaching puberty. The children’s idyllic existence comes to a screeching halt, however, when their parents separate and Royal essentially disappears from their lives. Decades later, the siblings are caricatures of their former selves as Ritchie flounders in an existential crises, Chas becomes a neurotic overbearing parent, and Margot spends her days wallowing in the bathtub for hours to escape her loveless marriage. In the midst of this tumult recently evicted Royal returns to the family home claiming that he has six weeks left to live. Antics ensue as the family embarks upon a series of misadventures that ultimately teach them lessons in life, love, and what it means to be a Tenenbaum.

While family dysfunction has become common comedy fare in modern cinema, The Royal Tenenbaums sets itself apart through its original approach. The script touches upon a variety of sobering topics ranging from marital strife, to depression, to drug abuse and unfulfilled dreams, yet somehow manages to keep its tone deceptively light. Rather than focusing upon the trials that the characters are faced with, the film instead emphasizes the absurd yet relateable ways in which the characters cope with their struggles By including these real life topics without dwelling upon them, the script acknowledges the reality of life’s many difficulties and serves to remind viewers that they are not alone in facing these hardships.. The film also succeeds by maintaining a genuine emotional core even in the midst of its most outlandish hijinks.  Regardless of the many ways in which they annoy, alienate, and manipulate one another, the Tenenbaums continue to maintain an understanding of and allegiance to one another with the complexity of a real-life family. It is this sincerity that keeps the film grounded and helps viewers to invest in the characters, who despite their eccentricities are not so very different from us after all. As a result, the film relates a refreshing tale that is at once wildly unique and entirely universal.

The stuff of Kodak moments

The cast bring the wonderfully warped Tenenbaums to life through uniformly excellent performances. Ben Stiller is endlessly engaging in his frenetic turn as tightly-wound Chas. Luke Wilson makes for one of cinema’s most loveable losers as aimless yet admirable Ritchie. Gwyneth Paltrow is delightfully deadpan as the enigmatic Margot. Angelica Houston conveys warmth and wit in her performance as Etheline. Danny Glover’s turns in a nuanced performance as Etheline’s boyfriend/accountant Henry Sherman and makes his character an ideal foil to the eccentric Tenenbaums.   Owen Wilson is uproarious as the family’s tagalong neighbor turned affected bestselling author Eli Cash. Even in the midst of these masterful comic performances, Gene Hackman dominates the film as the gleefully amoral Royal.

Quirky, offbeat, and utterly original, are words that serve as apt descriptions for both The Royal Tenenbaums and its titular family. At once an uproarious portrait of familial chaos and a heartfelt tribute to the bonds which hold that chaos together, The Royal Tenenbaums is a family film befitting the modern family. Through its witty script expert performances the film brings the whimsical world of the Tenenbaums to life in all of its hilarity. For a hysterical start to your holiday season, pay a visit to The Royal Tenenbaums.

Classics: A Review of The Road to Calvary By Lauren Ennis

November 11, 2018 marks the 100^th anniversary of the World War I armistice. Over the course of four years millions of lives were lost, empires were toppled, and a generation was left to pick up the pieces of a shattered world. The 2017 miniseries The Road to Calvary expertly captures both the personal and political toll of World War I through its portrayal of the changing fortunes of two sisters during the last days of the Russian Empire and the rise of the Soviet Union. At once a moving tale of love, loss, family, and fate and an unflinching historical chronicle, The Road to Calvary is essential viewing as we mark the centennial of the end of World War I.

It's written by a Tolstoy...it's gotta be good

The story begins as idealistic Daria Bulavina (Anna Chipovskaya) arrives to study law in St. Petersburg. While in the city, Daria is reunited with her sophisticated older sister, Ekaterina (Yuliya Snigir), who exposes her to the city’s flourishing artistic and philosophical culture. As time wears on, however, Daria sees the rising unrest running rampant through both the halls of her university and the streets of St. Petersburg. When World War I breaks out the sisters begin down the divergent paths that will ultimately place them on opposite sides of the barricades during Russia’s ensuing revolution and civil war.

Adapted from Sisters, the first novel in Alexei Tolstoy’s The Road to Calvary trilogy, the miniseries grittily portrays the devastating impact of World War I and its aftermath. While World War I and the Russian Revolution have been portrayed numerous times on-screen, The Road to Calvary stands apart from its predecessors through its balance between the political and the personal. Through its depiction of the triumphs and tragedies experienced by the Bulavina sisters the series relates a compelling universal tale that will resonate even with viewers unfamiliar with its historical context. Even as it aptly portrays the sisters’ tumultuous lives, however, the series never loses sight of the historical events fueling its fictional plot. The series is particularly commendable for its refusal to sanitize or simplify history as it objectively depicts the events of its era, while humanizing all sides and glamorizing none. As a result, the series strikes the ideal balance between entertainment and education as it relates its epic tale of ordinary individuals caught in the sweep of extraordinary events.

The war to end all wars

The talented cast bring both Tolstoy’s characters and the world that they inhabited to vibrant life. The massive cast turns in uniformly superb performances as each actor portrays their role with nuance, depth, and raw emotion. Standout supporting performances include Sergey Koltakov as the sisters’ opportunistic father, and Alexey Kolgan as Ekaterina’s well-meaning but hapless first husband. Svetlana Khodchenkova portrays the downward spiral of Daria’s rival, Liza, with a ferocity and nuance that ensure she steals nearly every scene in which she appears. Andrey Merzilkin takes viewers on an equally fascinating journey in his turn as privileged aristocrat, turned wounded war veteran, turned ruthless criminal Arkady. Anton Shagin personifies the trauma of war as tortured poet Alexey Bessonov. Pavel Trubiner skillfully portrays the internal conflicts of Ekaterina’s second husband, Vadim, as he struggles to find his place in a country that has moved on without him. Leonid Bichevin is equally nuanced in his role as Daria’s husband, idealistic engineer turned world-weary Red Army captain Ivan. Even in the midst of these expert performances, however, the series belongs to Anna Chipovskaya and Yuliya Snigir as the Bulavina sisters. Snigir is captivating in her performance as Ekaterina as she gradually evolves from spoiled socialite to resilient survivor. Chipovskaya is a revelation in her portrayal of Daria’s coming of age as she grows from a naïve girl to an independent and determined woman.

Sisters before misters

War epic, family saga, and romance are just a few of the words that aptly describe The Road to Calvary. Through its intelligent script, excellent performances, and eye-catching scenery and costumes the series transports viewers to the distant worlds of both Czarist Russia and the early Soviet Union. Through its blunt portrayal of the impact of World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the Russian Civil War upon the lives of its characters, the series evokes the devastating ways in which these events impacted people on all sides from all walks of life. For apt insight into World War I and its aftermath and a fitting tribute to the ordinary people who endured these extraordinary events, hitch a ride on The Road to Calvary.

For more about Soviet Russia be sure to check out my debut novel A Boy's Best Comrade available now on Amazon.com and available on Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo on October 13.

Classics: 3 Halloween Features for the Faint of Heart By Lauren Ennis

The thrills and chills have begun and things are going bump in the night. That bewitching hour is upon us once again. Halloween is the perfect time to celebrate all things spine-tingling, but for some of us the horrors of Halloween are all fright and no fun. This week I’ll be turning the spotlight on three screen favorites that will help even the most faint of heart to get into the spirit of the season.

And you thought you had a weird family...

The Addams Family: They may be creepy, cooky, and altogether ooky, but the only screams you’ll hear with this family are screams of laughter. Adapted from an offbeat comic strip both the 1960’s television series and the 1990’s film franchise chronicle the comic exploits of the monstrously misunderstood Addams’. While the film franchise features the deadpan wit and darker sensibility of the original comic and the television series focuses upon family friendly humor, all adaptations capture the daily absurdity of life for the fiendishly fish out of water family. Through their gothic tendencies and passion for all things macabre the wonderfully warped clan make for a delightfully distorted satire of the modern American family. Even in the midst of family fun, however, the Addams’ deliver plenty of gothic goodies and wicked whimsy to go around. For a frighteningly good time for the whole family spend some time with The Addams Family.

That slight come hither stare, it's witchcraft...

Bell, Book, and Candle: The common complaint that ‘I married to/am dating a real witch’ is taken to a whole new level in this hit romantic comedy. Like its television counterpart Bewitched, Bell, Book, and Candle follows the mismatched romance between a modern-day witch and a hapless mortal. The film begins with sultry witch Gillian lamenting her boredom and desire for a new romance. When Gillian crosses paths with a school days rival out with her fiancé, Shepherd Henderson, Gillian sees her opportunity to enjoy some wicked fun. She then casts a spell to seduce Shepherd out of spite more than genuine attraction. Complications ensue, however, when she breaks the code of witchcraft and begins falling for her spellbound target. Combining Halloween hijinks with all the classic elements of romantic comedy the film is a delightful alternative for couples looking to get into the spirt of the season without the shrieks. The film reunites Vertigo costars James Stewart and Kim Novak, who manage to convey even more chemistry in this second outing. Together the pair create cinema magic with Stewart’s folksy everyman acting as an ideal foil to Novak’s supernatural sophisticate. With scene-stealing supporting performances from Jack Lemmon and Elsa Lanchester the film is guaranteed to have you screaming with laughter. For a bewitching viewing experience spend a spell with Stewart and Novak in Bell, Book, and Candle.

Now that's how you put on the Ritz!

Young Frankenstein: Madcap adventure plus mad science proves the formula for comedy gold in this Mel Brooks classic. The film follows strait-laced scientist Victor Frankenstein (that’s pronounced ‘Fronk-en-steen’) as he reluctantly takes up the family business. The story maintains the framework of the familiar Frankenstein tale with Victor traveling to the ancestral estate and following down his grandfather’s famous path of madness, mayhem, and monsters, but with the crucial addition of Brooks’ signature humor. As a result, the film aptly pays homage to the monster movies of the 1930’s while spoofing the classic horror genre. Led by Brooks’ regular Gene Wilder the film features an expert comedic cast that includes Terri Garr, Peter Boyle, Cloris Leachman, Madeleine Kahn, and Gene Hackman. Easily one of Brooks’ most outstanding efforts, the film has attained iconic status and continues to be referenced across popular culture. Combining classic horror and contemporary comedy this monster mash is a Halloween must.

Classics: A Review of The Talented Mr. Ripley By Lauren Ennis

Is it better to be a real nobody or a false somebody? It is this seemingly simple question that drives the 1999 thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley. Adapted from the 1955 novel of the same name, the film follows a working class young man as he uses his unusual talents to enter 1950's cafe society and the fatal lengths at which he will go to remain there. At once a subtle character study and a Hitchcockian thriller this twisted tale of the American Dream gone wrong is simply to die for.

A portrait of the sociopath as a young social-climber

The story begins with struggling pianist Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) filling in for another musician at a society gala. After the performance tycoon shipping tycoon Herbert Greenleaf (James Rebhorn) mistakes Tom for an acquaintance of his son, Princeton alum turned playboy Dickie. When Tom fails to correct the error Mr. Greenleaf offers to pay Tom to travel to the glamorous Italian Riviera and retrieve the errant Dickie (Jude Law). Tom eagerly seizes the opportunity, but upon arriving is immediately swept up into Dickie's world of fast living and easy money. As the summer draws to a close, however, both Tom's funds and Dickie's friendship are stretched to their limits. Determined not to give up his new lifestyle Tom concocts a scheme that puts his talents to the ultimate test.

Although the film's plot maintains the usual twists and turns of a thriller the film sets itself apart by relating its sordid story of money and manipulation from the villain's perspective. From the outset, Tom is portrayed as cunning, manipulative, and opportunistic; hardly qualities of a likeable protagonist. As the story unfolds, however, viewers experience the world through Tom's eyes and his desire for self-improvement and manipulation become understandable even as his actions escalate to the reprehensible. As a result, audiences are placed in the uncomfortable position of empathizing with a character that they would ordinarily condemn. This perspective lends the proceedings an additional layer of suspense as audiences become emotionally invested in Tom's fate as well as the grim fates of those around him. Less a tale of who done it than why was it done, film raises fundamental questions about identity, success, and society all while weaving a web of deception that will leave viewers guessing until its final frame.

The moment when three becomes a crowd

The world of Tom Ripley in all its gruesomeness and glamour is vividly brought to life by the talented cast. Jude Law charmingly portrays the equal parts carefree and careless Dickie. Gwenyth Paltrow turns in a dynamic performance as Dickie's fiance as she captures Marge's party gilr persona while hinting at the depth that Tom underestimates. Jack Davenport earns sympathy as Tom's deceived love interest, Peter. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Cate Blanchett steal each scene in which they appear as Dickie's charismatic best friend, Freddie, and witty socialite Meredith. Matt Damon proves himself every bit as talented as Tom Ripley as he conveys the easy charm, inner torment, and desperate drive that define the elusive Tom.

The adventures of Tom Ripley make for a thought provoking thriller that will leave viewers questioning even themselves. Through its intricate plot, intelligent script and superior performances the film relates a masterful tale of classic suspense. For a guaranteed thrill ride join the scheming, social climbing, and sociopathic but ever talented Mr. Ripley.

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Classics: Three Modern Movies to Cure Your Classic Film Craving By Lauren Ennis

Over the course of the last century cinema has become one of the surest signs of the times through its ability to act as a visual chronicle of changes in fashion, technology, and social norms. Films have related stories that explore a myriad of social and political issues as well as all of the conflicts and emotions of the human experience. In spite of the ways in which cinema brings people together, film fans remain divided as many movie buffs maintain a firm focus upon modern releases while others cling to the classics. Fortunately for film fans everywhere, a number of recent releases have combined the magic of movies past and present to create a uniquely universal viewing experiences that truly have something for everyone.

Move over Fred and Ginger

La La Land: After experiencing a decline in popularity during the 1960's, movie musicals were back on the cinematic map starting in the early 2000's. While the majority of these modern musical films subverted and added twists to the genre, 2016's La La Land used classic musical conventions to tell a thoroughly modern tale. the story follows an aspiring actress and struggling jazz musician (Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling) as they follow the road to both romance and stardom in modern L.A. Even as the couple navigate the pitfalls of life and love in contemporary Tinseltown, they still sing and dance their way into audiences' hearts in a style befitting Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Whether they are sharing a fantasy dance sequence worthy of Gene Kelly or singing jazzy tunes that would be at home in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, the film's leading couple exude classic cool. The film even includes references to a diverse array of classic films ranging from Funny Face to Jules and Jim. Wile the film pays apt tribute to cinema history, La La Land remains firmly planted in the fast paced and fickle world of modern showbiz. In this way, the film tells a universal tale of the struggle to find love and success that will resonate with audiences of any generation. For a timeless story tat is guaranteed to get your toes tapping pay a visit to La La Land.

Sometimes words just get in the way

The Artist: Cinema's silent era reached its end with the rise of talking pictures in the late 1920's...or did it? In 2012 moviegoers partied like it was 1929 with the release of the surprise critical and commercial hit The Artist. Filmed in glorious black and white with just one line of dialogue, The Artist that a picture is worth a thousand words even in the new millennium. The film chronicles the parallel careers of a fading silent star (Jean Dujardin) and the budding 'talkie' starlet who loves him (Berenice Bejo). The film poignantly explores the struggles of silent stars at the dawn of the sound era with an eye towards the fleeting nature of fame in an industry that is always on the lookout for the next big thing. The vintage cinematography combined with eye-catching costumes and sets transports viewers to the razzle dazzle of the roaring twenties. Simultaneously the intelligent script and nuanced performance ensure that the film has just enough of a modern feel to engage today's viewers. At once a contemporary commentary on aging and celebrity and a celebration of classic cinema The Artist is a silent film with a lot to say.

Round up the usual suspects!

The Good German: Film noir is a genre that while difficult to define is easy to recognize and tempting to imitate. Decades after the genre's heyday in the 1940's and 1950's, studios around the glob have continued to release films that showcase a dark sensibility and grim charm that is directly reminiscent of classic noir. The 2006 film The Good German takes its homage to noir a step further and relates its gritty post-war tale of greed, corruption, and betrayal using authentic post-war production values. The film follows a Humphrey Bogart-esque American war correspondent (George Clooney) as he searches for a former flame (Cate Blanchett) amidst the wreckage of post-war Berlin. The closer that he comes to reuniting with his lost love, however, the further that he is drawn into a convoluted web of state secrets, war crimes, and murder. The film accurately portrays the desperation of a haunted post-war Europe with an added grit that would have been strictly verboten under the restrictions of noir era censors. As a result, the film is able to explore such issues as sexual exploitation, post-war poverty, and the horrors of Nazi Germany with a frankness that films like Casablanca and The Third Man could only hint at. In this way, the film captures both the dark spirit of noir and the bleak reality that fueled it. For a Valentine to vintage noir guaranteed to thrill modern audiences, make a date with The Good German.

Classics: A Review of Camille By Lauren Ennis

What is love worth? Is its value so great that it can compensate for the loss of one's social standing, family, friends, and even one's physical well-being? Or is it just one more thing to be measured in dollars and cents? These are the questions that lie at the heart of the 1937 romantic drama Camille. Adapted from the play of the same name, which was in turn adapted from the novel La Dame Aux Camelias, the film chronicles the doomed romance between a consumptive courtesan and her naive young suitor. After numerous retellings this film remains the best remembered and one of the best renditions of the timeless tale of love, loss, and redemption.

Positively swoon worthy

The story begins in 1800's Paris as the always generous and ever in debt courtesan Marguerite Gautier (Greta Garbo)searches for a new patron. While at the opera a fellow courtesan arranges for Marguerite to meet Baron de Varville (Henry Daniell), whose fortune could easily finance her mounting debts and medical bills. Fate intervenes, however, when she mistakes handsome young Armand Duvall for the Baron. Although the two are immediately drawn to one another, she refuses Armand's attentions and begins an affair with the more financially stable Baron. The pair are eventually reunited, however, and Marguerite realizes that the Baron's wealth cannot fill the void in her life. She then retreats the the country with Armand for an idyllic summer during which happiness finally appears within her reach. The couple are not able to hold reality at bay forever, however, and soon find themselves haunted by the same social pressures and threat of illness that they had fled in Paris. Events are then set in motion that determine the fates of both Marguerite and Armand.

The film sets itself apart from many other romantic dramas through its realistic portrayal of romance. while many romances present flawless couples overcoming overwhelming odds, Camille idealizes neither its protagonists nor the circumstances surrounding their relationship. From the outset, Marguerite and Armand are faced with such hazards as jealousy, financial difficulties, to insecurity, and physical illness; all of which are problems which couples continue to face today. both are also shown to be grappling with their own flaws as Marguerite struggles to overcome her bitter cynicism while Armand tries to conquer his jealousy. As a result, the pair, while likeable, are also all too relateable. The film also makes no attempt to glamorize Marguerite's profession, instead focusing upon the emotional, social, and physical toll that life as a courtesan has taken upon her. The story even extends its realism a step further by showing the ways in which her past threaten not only her own hopes for the future but Armand's as well.  As a result, the film presents a balanced view of its romance which, while idealistic and passionate, remains firmly grounded in a less than ideal reality. It is this same realism that elevates Camille beyond the confines of a standard period romance to the universal tale of self-sacrifice, and redemption that continues to resonate today.

The by turns glittering and gritty world of nineteenth century Paris is vividly brought to life by the exemplary work of the cast. Lenore Ulric perfectly captures the spitefulness of Marguerite's chief rival, viperish courtesan Olympe. Laura Hope Crews, in a stark departure from her more famous role as prudish Aunt Pittypatt in Gone With the Wind, is hilariously vulgar in her performance as aging courtesan Prudence. Jessie Ralph and Rex O'Malley are endearing in their roles as Marguerite's dedicated maid, Nanine, and Armand's playboy best friend, Gaston. Lionel Barrymore and Henry Daniell turn in complex performances as the calculating Baron and Armand's disapproving father. Contemporary reviews called Greta Garbo the greatest Camille since Sarah Bernhardt and it is easy to see why. Garbo brings the Marguerite of the original novel to the screen with all of her contradictions fully intact. Throughout her layered performance she shifts from Marguerite's carefree and mercenary persona to her damaged but still idealistic true self without striking a false note. Similarly, Robert Taylor turns in a performance that equals his leading lady's as he conveys Armand's naivete and devotion without allowing himself to be reduced to a secondary love interest or plot device. Together, the two light up the screen with a dazzling chemistry and raw emotion that places them among the most memorable pairings in cinematic history.

Greta Garbo's first talking picture, Anna Christie, was released with the tagline "Garbo Talks!"; Camille could have been billed with the tagline "Garbo Transcends". Through the performances of Garbo, Taylor, and the rest of the stellar cast and an intelligent script Camille puts the classic in classic Hollywood. Join Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor for an affair to remember in Camille.

Classics: A Review of Vice Principals By Lauren Ennis

The backpacks are out and the buses are in gear; it must be that back to school time of year. To commemorate this bane to teachers and students everywhere I'll be turning the spotlight not on teachers or students but school administrations. To honor those unsung hallway heroes I'll be reviewing the hit HBO comedy series Vice Principals. Easily one of the most outrageously funny things on television the series sends up all things high school with enough shenanigans of its own to ensure that it more than makes the grade.

Setting an example

The story begins with vice principals and polar opposites Neal Gamby (Danny McBride) and Lee Russell (Walton Goggins) vying for the position of principal following the retirement of their boss. Misanthropic Gamby assumes that his years of experience will guarantee him the position while charismatic Russell relies upon his con-man's charm to lead him to victory. Both are shocked, however, when they learn that neither of them will become principal, and the school board instead hired district outsider Doctor Belinda Brown (Kimberly Hebert Gregory). Confronted with an adversary that neither can conquer alone Gamby and Russell form an unholy alliance that marks the beginning of a hilarious if not exactly beautiful friendship.

After decades of draining high school dramas, Vice Principals' darkly comedic approach earns the series an 'A' for originality. Through the over the top hijinks of Gamby, Russell, and company the series aptly captures the modern public school system at its most absurd. From the inefficiencies of PBIS, to easily outmaneuvered standardized tests, to school spirit run amok, nothing in the school system is safe from the script's scathing wit. even in the midst of its wonderfully warped plot the series greatest strength lies within its characters which allow the script to subvert such tired stock types as the overzealous dean, the charismatic 'cool' teacher, and out of touch Vice Principal and transform them into the stuff of comedy gold. With an anarchic spirit that gleefully tramples over every rule of political correctness the series breathes new life into dusty classroom cliches and sets a new standard for school comedy.

Through two seasons the series delivers countless laughs thanks to the expert work of its cast. Susan Park earns sympathy in her role as Russell's put upon wife, Christine, while Busy Philipps is appropriately snarky as Gamby's ex-wife. Maya G Love and Shea Wigham are endearing in their portrayals of Gamby's awkward teen daughter and his ex-wife's too good to be true new husband. Georgia King personifies the girl next door as idealistic English teacher Amanda Snodgrass. June Kyoto Lu is a force of nature as Russell's viscous mother-in-law, Mi-Cha. Edi Patterson is pure dynamite as unstable math teacher, Miss Abbott. Kimberly Hebert Gregory portrays Doctor Brown with a charisma and comedic timing that ensure she is every bit Gamby and Russell's match. Even in the midst of stellar supporting performances, the series belongs to Danny McBride and Walton Goggins as Gamby and Russell. McBride is riotous in his turn as socially inept curmudgeon Gamby and the perfect foil to Goggins' hilarious performance as charming sociopath Russell. Together, the two form a pairing to rival the greatest of comedy duos.

Part buddy comedy and part school satire, Vice Principals is one hundred percent wickedly witty. Through its uproarious script and expertly comedic performances the series is guaranteed to have students and teachers laughing their way into a new school year. For a lesson in comedy join Gamby and Russell in Vice Principals.