Troop Beverly Hills
Tags: horror, storytelling, home movie

Plot synopsis:
On the last day of school in 1989, Phyllis Nefler (Shelley Long) is a socialite Beverly Hills wife with a heart of gold recently separated from her husband, Freddy (Craig T. Nelson), a wealthy owner of an auto shop chain. Freddy feels Phyllis has become a self-absorbed "shopaholic" who never follows through on her commitments, and that she has drifted from the caring, imaginative personality that made him marry her. To prove him wrong, Phyllis decides to become the new den mother of their daughter, Hannah's (Jenny Lewis) unruly, leaderless local girl scout troop of Wilderness Girls.
While Phyllis is boutique-hopping along Rodeo Drive, the council is reviewing her application, then approving it as they believe Phyllis has the makings of an excellent den leader. Although Phyllis severely lacks the skills found in most troop leaders, she resolves to teach the girls how to survive in "the wilds of Beverly Hills," even customizing new merit badges for her troop. One campout results in the troop getting hit by a rain squall, which Phyllis and the girls flee to the Beverly Hills Hotel. Despite her unorthodox ways, Phyllis demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the girls' well-being and acts as a surrogate mother/friend to the girls, who are often neglected by their own wealthy and distracted parents. However, during an award ceremony on a yacht, her husband's new girlfriend gets knocked overboard and asks for a life saver and Phyllis responds which flavor. Fred remarks he was hoping to see Hannah learn a few outdoors and civil defense skills, such as first aid, and he is unsure about that under Phyllis' mentorship.
Phyllis' unorthodox methods also run afoul of another scout leader, Velda Plendor (Betty Thomas), a mean-spirited, retired army nurse who helps advise the Culver City "Red Feathers" (of which her own daughter, Cleo (Dinah Lacey) is a member) to run like a military unit. Because Velda has considerable pull at the regional council level, she declares Phyllis' customized merit badges ineligible and sends her assistant troop leader, Annie Herman (Mary Gross), to infiltrate Troop Beverly Hills.
Much to Velda's dismay, Troop Beverly Hills, which is yet unrecognized by the regional council, can gain recognition by passing a series of tests at an upcoming Jamboree. However, in order to qualify for the Jamboree, and to show up Velda, the troop needs to sell cookies, 1,000 boxes. To prevent this from happening, Velda sabotages Troop Beverly Hills by selling cookies in their own neighborhood. Seeing this, as well as realizing Phyllis' true personality, Annie becomes Phyllis' assistant for real, offering her abilities to get the girls recognized merit badges. The parents of the girls, appreciative of Phyllis and Annie's leadership, offer to buy the cookies themselves in order to go to the jamboree, but Phyllis suggests another idea both to beat Velda at her own game and teach the girls salesmanship - a series of star-studded cookie sales in an untapped district. This proves fruitful, as the girls sell over 4,000 boxes of cookies, more than enough to qualify for the Jamboree.
Phyllis is then hit with a one-two punch: even though Freddy has broken up with his new girlfriend, he wants to proceed with the divorce, including joint custody of Hannah; and Velda meanly tries to talk her out of attending the Jamboree, warning that it is in the backcountry "is 20 miles from the nearest campsite, and 100 miles from the nearest 4-star hotel". She sinks into a deep depression and finally decides to disband the troop, but Hannah and the other girls talk her out of it.
During the Jamboree, the Red Feathers try to get ahead of Troop Beverly Hills by misdirecting them into a snake-infested swamp which causes the troop to lose vital radio contact with Annie, but a skunk scares Phyllis and the girls into running through a shortcut, making them first in the qualifying event. In the final run, Velda takes charge of the Red Feathers herself and cuts down a rope bridge, but this also fails. However, when Velda cheats a final time by going into a restricted area used only for hunting, she wounds herself on a bear trap. Velda's boot and sock are removed and it is confirmed that her ankle is broken. The Red Feathers, especially Cleo, leave her behind for the sake of winning. Troop Beverly Hills finds her, barefoot and bitter, and reluctantly carries her to the finish, but only after Phyllis reminds the girls that they have to be considerate to those in need, even if they are adversaries.
The Red Feathers cross the finish line first but are disqualified because council law stipulates the leader must be with the troop. Although Cleo runs off with the trophy, Troop Beverly Hills is declared the winners of the Jamboree and are validated as true Wilderness Girls. Francis Temple, the regional leader, fires Velda from the Wilderness Girls Organization for cheating on the trail and for putting the Troop Beverly Hills girls in potential danger. In turn Velda hurls insults at the councilwomen for recognizing Troop Beverly Hills. The girls' families show up moments later and are very proud of them. Freddy, impressed by Phyllis' complete turnaround, decides to call off the divorce, and he and Phyllis get back together.
Next Year in Summer 1990, Troop Beverly Hills is seen as the new Poster Troop while Velda is shown with a very humiliating job at Kmart announcing a "Blue Light Special" on cookies in one of the aisles, a final fate she tried to threaten Annie with earlier.

Review: A stereotypical portrayal of a Beverly Hills "Wilderness Girls" troup of pre-adolescent girls and their flighty but maternal leader, Phyllis Neffler, played by Shelley Long.
If only all girls scouts were as fun as Troop Beverly Hills!
The film about a down and out divorced house wife with a passion for fashion becoming a girl's scout leader is both hilarious,exciting and thoroughly entertaining.Comedic actress Shelley Long shines as Phyllis Nefler,the woman who dares to make alterations to her daughter's scout uniform,and modify the location of their bushland camping trips to the Beverly Hills Hotel!
Phyllis rejects traditional scout activities such as bush walking for manicures and pedicures,preferring her troops to live in the lap of luxury.Needless to say,the girls adore her,the leaders of the other scout groups despise her,and this is all makes the delightful,hilarious and wacky comedy that is Troop Beverly Hills!.
For those who have forgotten their childhood (and if you want some examples, the film critics serve nicely), this movie is inane and not worth the price of a video rental.
Its *target* audience (are you listening, critics?) is well served by this comedy, which along with its many laughs gives young people serious lessons in the meaning of loyalty and friendship, the sacrifices we're sometimes called upon to make for those we love, and the need for redemption.
The story is about a lady from Beverly Hills whom decides to take over her daughter's girl scout troop.
Troop Beverly Hills is a funny movie for pre-teen girls.
Goofy Shelly Long plays eccentric Beverly Hills mom, Phyllis Nefler, who decides to get involved with her daughter's life and prove that she can do things for herself (sort of), so she becomes troop leader of her daughter's Wilderness Girl's squad.
This proves to be an embarrassing experience for the young girls, seeking some much needed leadership from their mother who can't seem to gain independence from the luxuries of her Beverly Hills lifestyle.
But, once the pack is forced to compete with an aggressive, survival squad of hard core rival troopers, Phyllis and her team, tired of being a laughing stock (and also because Phyllis wants to gain her daughter's confidence and respect) are going to prove that they're not just a bunch of whiny rich girls from Beverly Hills.
80s fans will probably recognize many of the young troopers (from Jenny Lewis to Kelli Martin to Tori Spelling), and I'm sure pre-teen girls are sure to like the movie for it's silly story, young female cast, and the goofy antics of Shelly Long.
It's a hilarious little movie with a good message for kids about the importance of female independence (Phyllis doesn't want her husband to think she can't fend for herself without a man's guidance) as well as individual confidence.
hilarious Beverly Hills house wife proves that you don't have to have bad hair, no makeup or discount clothes to be a true wilderness girl....
this movie is a classic and anyone who says otherwise doesn't have much of a sense of humor..probably a bad childhood or something...whatever...GO TROOP BEVERLY HILLS!.
Shelley Long portrays a bored Beverly Hills wife whose husband is leaving her for another woman.
Deciding to make something of her life she volunteers to be the leader for her daughter's "wilderness girls" troop (I guess they couldn't get the rights to girl scouts).
Both her and her troop of pampered Beverly Hills princesses learn valuable lessons in character, courage, and friendship with a super happy ending (no spoiler).
Anyway the casting in this film is first rate with Shelley Long and Craig T.
Not a side-splitting hilarious romp, but Shelley Long gives it her all and is quite funny (besides being so CUTE!!) The story involves a self indulged Long who becomes the leader of a dead end Girl Scouts for Beverly Hills.
Mid-80's Beverly Hills was a magical time and I still find myself looking back on this picture and wishing I was there.Shelly Long stepped out of "Cheers" and into the shoes of Phyllis Nefler, the doting, diva of shopping, big-haired, Beverly Hills mother of a wilderness girl.
To bond with her daughter (and to prove to her husband that she can finish what she starts), she becomes the Beverly Hills Troop leader.This is where the fun starts.
For a light laugh and a movie you don't have to analyze, I think this film has timeless appeal..
In my opinion this is a sweet story about dysfunctional families that find a way of dealing with the fact that achieving "success" means a lot more than they expected.Through out the movie the journey of the Troop becomes much more than just belonging: Parents face the choice of truly growing up and figuring out a way to stop wasting time and search for a bond with their neglected children; while children find a way to stop playing the parental role, learning the value of friendship, teamwork and how `un-cool' it is to procrastinate.This movie has a heart and even if the story is simple minded and decorated with clichés about the rich and famous, it still rings true.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and to see Shelley Long sing and dance is a real bonus.
The background shots of Beverley Hills were soo good and the crowd watching the roadside discos seemed to be enjoying the disco as  were the young troop members.
There's no social commentary, or moment of dramatic epiphany, its just a fun escapist romp about what a pampered Beverly Hills Housewife would do if she was stuck in the wilderness.Shelley long is wonderful.
Shelly long and her daughter lives in posh Beverly hills and she is the ultimate fashionista.
She became mother of the wilderness girls troop which her daughter was a part of and led them to the finish line proving to her daughter all along the way that she was no quitter.
Let's say it together, "Troop Beverly Hills Sucks." However, I can't stop watching it.
No decade other than the 80s could have produced this film, as it has a direct not so subtle attitude of "rich people get a bad rap." So what if they don't like camping or first aid or low budget shopping, they can 'survive' in the "wild of Beverly Hills." It may just be me, but this is an extremely shallow movie and yet it is never ashamed of being so.
No true realization of the err of their way by the troop and Nefler and thus the film remains a cocky culmination of rich ideas and attitudes from the opening animated title sequence to the end credits.
Its fun to look at the young girls of 1989 Hollywood, which include Carla Gugino ("Son In Law" TV's "Karen Sisco" and 1st season of "Spin City"), Heather Hopper ("Saved By The Bell"'s Nikki) ,Kellie Martin ("Life Goes On", "ER"), Emily Schulman (the sister in the freakish 80s TV show "Small Wonder"), and Jenny Lewis (The Red Hed in "The Wizard") they capture a decade of idiocy and greed so well its fun to watch and scoff at the film's shallow message.
It was like watching Battle of the Network Stars - except it was practically a true story.I haven't watched this movie in a long time, so I can't be sure, but I bet this is the kind of movie that really holds up over the years.
In Beverly Hills, Phyllis (Shelley Long) has a blackbelt in shopping and a gloriously posh mansion.
Also at this moment, their daughter Hannah's Wilderness Girls troop needs a leader and Phyllis volunteers.
Long has one of her best movie roles ever as the shopaholic, trend-setting housewife from 90210 while Nelson, Thomas, Mary Gross and all of the other cast members do nice work, too.
But being the mall addicted mother she is, she teaches the girls the rules of Beverly Hills instead of what they should know.
This is a pretty amiable comedy about a Beverly Hills mother (Shelly Long) who becomes the leader of a troop of local girl scouts.
"Troop Beverly Hills" is not a very good movie, but it is somewhat entertaining in its own way.
Perhaps the funniest part of this whole movie.-An interesting premise: a spoiled Beverly Hills housewife (Shelley Long) decides to get involved in the community by becoming the leader of her daughter's Wilderness Girls troop (which includes Emily Schulman of "Small Wonder" and a pre-"Life Goes On" Kellie Martin).
Not exactly a high-concept film, but it shows some comic potential.-A few great lines, such as: "I may be a beginner at some things, but I've got a black belt in shopping!"-Some truly silly moments (Long doing the "Freddie" is the most notable example).-Long's performance: not Oscar-caliber, of course, but even when the film is at its lowest points, she puts a lot of effort and enthusiasm into her role.The bad:-The film is excruciatingly boring at some points, especially  in the sub-plot about Long and her ex-husband (Craig T.
Even the usually funny Cheech Marin is wasted here."Troop Beverly Hills" may not be a great (or even good) film, but it is not without some enjoyable moments..
But (like i was saying) it's utterly boring with a few laughs and competion rights but other than that it shows kids in a way we'd have never imagined them, and Shelly Long is funny funny funny!!
"Troop Beverly Hills" is a the story of a Beverly Hills homemaker (who's going through a divorce) that attempts to lead her daughter's wilderness girl troop.
Phyllis Nefler (played by "Cheers" star Shelley Long) leads this group of spoiled Beverly Hills princesses.
Along their journey, they learn how to be "real wilderness girls" in a non conventional way while fighting the evils of Vesta Plendor (played by the very funny Betty Thomas.) Vesta will stop at nothing to prove Phyllis and her troop are nothing more than a group of pampered Beverly Hills brats.
While the survivalist's troop is out skinning skunks and felling trees, the Beverly Hills girls are being taught to appraise diamonds and where to get the best facials by their troop leader, Shelly Long.
I laughed at Shelly Long and didn't realize Craig T Nelson was in it.
Most fun segment is "Cookie Time." Best character interaction: Anything between Betty Thomas and Shelly Long.Overall rating: 7 out of 10..
However, this role was perfect for her personae, and the film, absolutely enjoyable.What it boils down to, humorously, is the a-typical "diamond in the rough" indulged Beverly Hills housewife; challenged to take on an area in which she is unfamiliar but at the same time intrigued.
Shelley Long was amazing in this, it had a heart warming message, I watched it today and still love it as much as I did when I was a child.
Nelson and Shelly Long was great, and the writing was so funny, I laughed so hard and I got a lot of the dirty jokes now as a 26 year old that I never did as a child.
Shelley Long wanted a movie career and this is how it turned out.
Bomb is a little unfair because the movie is really no worse than a lot of mainstream 80's movies that somehow got more popular than this one.I first saw this when it was just put out on video in Denmark and at the same time the show "Cheers" was still on the air both here and of course in the U.S. We also became aware of Shelley Long's reputation here in DK because of the increasing popularity of tabloid magazines and TV.
Long was embarrassed about being typed as a mere TV actress but to leave a hit show like Cheers to do this - well, the whole event speaks for itself.But just for laughs, let's try to describe the actual movie.
Long is actually pretty good but it's a shame that what she is doing was basically the same thing done by Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin, (there even was a time when I couldn't remember if they were actually one person - don't let that get out - oh, crap it's out now) that means playing a spoiled snob who transforms herself into a caring person.
In Troop Beverly Hills we get a lengthy explanation of how Long got the way she is by having her and the husband (played by Craig T.
Betty Thomas of Hill Street Blues was born to play the role of the head Wilderness Girl but she is not given a lot to work with.
The tape included interviews of a number of 2nd AD's in the industry alongside clips of the crew working on the set of Troop Beverly Hills.In one scene during the end of the movie, one of the Wilderness Girls falls and hurts her leg.
needs more with the girls and less Shelley Long.
The Wilderness Girls of America is considering closing the Beverly Hills chapter with only 8 active members.
Rich wife Phyllis (Shelley Long) is the new troop leader for the sake of her daughter Hannah (Jenny Lewis) and furthest from a wilderness girl.
Phyllis runs afoul of militaristic troop leader Velda Plendor (Betty Thomas) who sends in assistant Annie Herman (Mary Gross) to infiltrate them.The premise is silly but it could still work as a kids movie.
It concentrates too much on Shelley Long when it should spend the time with the girls.
The movie needs more of those moments and time together for the girls.
This really needed to be a true kids movie but the studio made it a Shelley Long vehicle.
The wealthy wife of a Beverly Hills business owner, accused by her soon-to-be-ex spouse of never finishing anything she's ever started, applies to be the city-chapter's troop leader of the Wilderness Girls, a dwindling group of which her pre-teen daughter is a member.
The pampered rich kids (daughters of various celebrities, an unemployed actor, and at least one dictator) are either in therapy or full of attitude...but with a dismissal order handed down by their outraged commander-in-chief, the troop must work together (in their own colorful way) to bring a good name to Beverly Hills.
Troop Beverly Hills.
There was no big statement attempting to be made with Jeff Kanew's 1989 film Troop Beverly Hills, and that's OK.
Nelson join as a separated married couple attempting to overcome their own problems while Long goes out on a limb leaving high society life to mentor her daughter's wilderness girls group.
Phyllis Nefler (Shelley Long) reeling from a broken heart due to the impending divorce with her husband Freddy (Craig T.
Nelson) decides to be a troop leader for her daughter's wilderness girls Troop Beverly Hills.
The militant Velda believes Troop Beverly Hills should be disbanded in favor of the rough and tumble wilderness girls which make up the rest of the troops.
Troop Beverly Hills is a quintessential cliché-ridden 1980's film.
The story of a self-centered mother who finally put her daughter first, was nothing special, especially among the sea of other clichéd Beverly Hills parents who equally neglected their children.
Sure, Troop Beverly Hills is cheesy, tacky, and often brainless.
I was a Girl Scout for 5 years, and my troop would often watch this movie.
Too bad we didn't come with ideas as ingenius as theirs to sell cookies!Shelley Long is deliriously shallow but good-hearted as the mom who takes over the troop, so she can spend more time with her daughter, and Craig T.
Betty Thomas is still probably embarrassed about being in this movie.Great 80s fun!.
'Troop Beverly Hills' still holds up today and has a lot of heart..
I grew up watching 'Troop Beverly Hills', and even though I wasn't in the Girl Scouts or even a teenage girl, I still fell in love with story and characters in this extremely charming movie.
It's not all about the fundraising and parties, which is why 'Troop Beverly Hills' still holds up today and has a lot of heart.This 1989 film showed us that a group of very privileged and wealthy young girls who have never had to work a day in their lives and who spend most of their time shopping for the newest outfit at the mall, come together and learn the true values and ethics of life, like loyalty, friendship, and helping others.
In fact, 'Troop Beverly Hills' was based on a true story.
With this 'fish-out-of-water' storyline, the laughs and charm come in full.Phyllis Nefler (Long) is on the verge of divorce from her wealthy and successful husband Freddy (Craig T.
Phyllis can only do one thing, which is shop with her husband's money, but she flips the table and proves that she can lead a troop of young teenage girls to learn and enjoy the more normal things in life, such as things without caviar and a $10,000 price tag.
From selling cookies, planning local events, camping, and attending to annual wilderness hike, there is nothing that Phyllis and her Beverly Hills troop can't do.Director Jeff Kanew ('Revenge of the Nerds') doesn't change the game as far as new comedic stylings or adventure, but he does take a genuine approach with each character, giving every girl their own unique moment to shine.
Shelley Long is perfect in this role as the money-grubbing wife who learns to be a better person to herself and to her daughter, while keeping things light-hearted and very humorous.
And Betty Thomas as the evil Velda delivers each jab and put down with such comedic ferocity, that you can't help but laugh and hate her all at the same time.Even though 'Troop Beverly Hills' might be a tiny bit outdated with all the new technology that is out today, but with it's timeless charm, amazing characters, and great life-lessons, this film is surely to stick around for another thirty years..
Rule Number One: NEVER go to a movie with the phrase "Beverly Hills" in it.