Brain, Athlete, Basket Case, Princess, Criminal
In the ’80’s there was a tribe called THE BRAT PACK. These were the coolest cats in the Hollywood Circus and their Ringmaster was director, producer & screenwriter John Hughes.
When I hear his name the first thing that springs to mind is Molly Ringwald – followed immediately by the 80’s new wave music that he introduced to me through his films. That music has become the soundtrack of my life. It is almost like Hughes himself made a mixed tape just for me. (how’s that for an ‘80’s reference!)
His legacy: turning a redheaded teen into the Queen of the Brat Pack, brainwashing us all into accepting an Andrew McCarthy-type as a heartthrob and exposing Americans to some seriously fabulous British alternative tunes. I have to thank him personally for the music the most. The Psychedelic Furs, The Smiths, Echo & the Bunnymen New Order, Joy Division, Charlie Sexton, Flesh for Lulu, Love and Rockets, Simple Minds, Kate Bush, OMD … the soundtrack of my life. Hughes married the film to the music like no other director ever has before or after.
OK, when you hear “Don’t You Forget about Me” don’t you immediately think: The Breakfast Club? I do. “Beat’s So Lonely”: Some Kind of Wonderful and “Pretty in Pink”: Pretty In Pink. Fortunately, these tunes can be heard today on Sirrius Satelite Radio. Channel 22, 1st Wave Classic Alternative.
Film Director & Writer John Hughes’ films include Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science, She’s Having a Baby.
One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from a Hughes film. When the kids are asked to write a essay telling their teacher who they think they are…in rebellious but true to themselves fashion the kids respond: “Dear Mr. Burn, We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in dentention for whatever it was that we did wrong. But we think your’re crazy to make us write an essay telling You who we think We are. You see us as you want to see us. In the simpliest terms, with the most convient definitions. But what we found out was is that each one of us is a BRAIN, and an ATHLETE, and a BASKET CASE, a PRINCESS and a CRIMINAL. Does that answer your question?” Sincerely Your, — The Breakfast Club
Having departed this world, I imagine Hughes saying to us all from his new alternate universe, “Don’t You Forget About Me” … I, for one, will not!
John Hughes mini film fest at the Cox Capitol Theatre this Friday, August 14: Pretty in Pink @ 7 pm. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off @ 9 pm. Each flick for the Retro Price of $1.00.
11. August 2009 um 12:21
Aah, The sound track to my life as well with a little XTC, PreFab Sprout, Nick Cave, Furniture, Heaven 17, and Jam thrown into the mix too, Thanks for the memory!
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