8 Comments   
Cult movies might make you think of Tim Curry in fishnets, falling asleep in movie theaters after midnight and obscure VHS rentals. But even the most PG of films is suitable for cult-film consideration -- including the Shelley Long comedy "Troop Beverly Hills."

Sure, this chick flick about a troop of not-Girl Scouts is beloved by only a small group of young women who grew up in the '80s and '90s. But that was enough to pack a theater of fans in L.A. last Monday at the "Troop Beverly Hills Experience," an interactive screening celebrating the film's 20th anniversary. Unconvinced? Here are a few reasons why you should reconsider.

1. The Clothes
In order to stand out as a cult film, you need some iconic fashions on your side. And "Troop Beverly Hills" practically drips with outrageous 1980s fashions, designed by legendary costume designer Theadora Van Runkle ("The Godfather Part II").

2. The Dialogue
"I may be a beginner at some things, but I've got a black belt in shopping!" Phyllis proudly proclaims when the girls admit that they need uniforms, just one of the extremely quotable lines scattered throughout the film's 100 minutes. Even if it's been years since you've seen it, "Troop Beverly Hills" lines just roll off the tongue. After all, who didn't scream in horror when Phyllis Nefler revealed: "He PERMED ME!"

3. The Songs
We're not just talking about the classic campfire song "Kumbaya," which got both acoustic and remixed treatments -- but, rather, the all-too-catchy "Cookie Time," a Tina Turner-esque pop tune. Anyone who had to sell Girl Scout cookies after the year 1989 probably got it stuck in their head at one point -- or maybe watched it for inspiration.

4. The Cast
You love Shelley Long from "Cheers," sure, but there are plenty of bit players who make this film worth appreciating anew. Mary Gross as meek assistant troop leader Annie; a young Carla Gugino as a neglected young Wilderness Girl; future Rilo Kiley frontperson Jenny Lewis as Long's daughter. None of these appearances are quite on par with, say, Susan Sarandon in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," but it's still a Beverly Hills thrill to see them in this.

5. The Message
Cult films get their reputations by finding fans outside the mainstream, appealing to specific and underserved audiences who maybe don't feel like they fit in. And "Troop Beverly Hills" is a movie about a group of girls whose social status and unconventional family backgrounds make them outcasts -- until, of course, they learn to embrace what makes them different as what makes them special. What else do you love about "Troop Beverly Hills"? Tell us in the comments!