Inspired by Swamp Thing's thread about teen sex comedies.
It got me to thinking about a number of 80's teen comedies in general that were "under the radar." We all know about the mainstream John Hughes movies, and some others that were mainstream teen comedies during the Golden Age of teen movies, the 80's. But what about the lesser-known ones. Some of them did horribly in the theatre, but managed to get some recognition in the still burdgeoning home video market at that time. Just One of the Guys comes to mind. Some of them are straight up b-movies that are great guilty pleasures, while others are genuinely decent movies. Here's a list of some:
Just One of the Guys (1985): mentioned above. This goofy comedy about a girl who poses as a boy in high school in order to get her dream journalist intern job seems to be one of those movies that people love as a guilty pleasure.
Plain Clothes (1988): Wow. This movie is bad. Arliss Howard (yep, Cowboy from Full Metal Jacket) is an undecover cop who poses as a HS student. This movie really required some substantial suspension of disbelief. Arliss Howard looks every bit a 30-year-old, but somehow manages to pass himself as a high school student. Hello.
3 O'Clock High (1987): I love this movie. Jerry (Casey Siemaszko) is the typical awkward high school student who has a run-in with the new ultra tough guy (Richard Tyson) with a legendary bad reputation and temper to boot, and spends the entire day trying to avoid the scheduled showdown after school. This movie is genuinely hilarious and pretty well written. I never even heard of it until it made it's way to cable.
Heaven Help Us (1985): Coming of age story set in an early 60's New York area Catholic school. Pretty decent movie starring Andrew McCarthy (who I usually despise) and Kevin Dillon, and dealing with the typical Catholic school drama, including an abusive Jesuit teacher. Not quite a comedy, not quite a drama. Pretty decent film.
Morgan Stewart's Coming Home (1987): John Cryer, dumped at a boarding school by his senator father, is called back home, mostly to help the family keep up political appearances it turns out. He genuinely craves closeness with his distant parents, and has an obsession with horror b-movies. He meets a girl who shares his interests, but who also doesn't fit in with the lifestyle his parents want for him, and the expected drama ensues. This is not a good movie, per se, but it does manage to have some heart. This movie is one of those movies that carried the "Alan Smithee" moniker as director. If you're not familiar what Alan Smithee means, look it up.
Those are a few of the forgotten or lesser-known 80's teen movies. I'm sure you all can come up with loads more.
I've always been a (huge) fan of Lori Loughlin, and some of her movies from the '80s are pretty good.
The Night Before (1988) is a favorite, starring a young Keanu Reeves. Lori is the popular girl and she loses a bet and has to go to the prom with Keanu. After a series of complications she ends up getting sold into prostitution, and Keanu gets into one misadventure after another trying to track her down and rescue her.
Secret Admirer (1985) is kind of good too. Lori is in love with C. Thomas Howell, but he's in love with some ditzy popular girl. Hard to believe because not one guy in a hundred would choose the other girl over Lori :bouncegiggle: It's full of the usual '80s charm.
Quote from: Flick James on July 15, 2011, 11:02:23 AM
3 O'Clock High (1987): I love this movie. Jerry (Casey Siemaszko) is the typical awkward high school student who has a run-in with the new ultra tough guy (Richard Tyson) with a legendary bad reputation and temper to boot, and spends the entire day trying to avoid the scheduled showdown after school. This movie is genuinely hilarious and pretty well written. I never even heard of it until it made it's way to cable.
I love this movie
Quote from: crackers on July 15, 2011, 12:51:24 PM
Quote from: Flick James on July 15, 2011, 11:02:23 AM
3 O'Clock High (1987): I love this movie. Jerry (Casey Siemaszko) is the typical awkward high school student who has a run-in with the new ultra tough guy (Richard Tyson) with a legendary bad reputation and temper to boot, and spends the entire day trying to avoid the scheduled showdown after school. This movie is genuinely hilarious and pretty well written. I never even heard of it until it made it's way to cable.
I love this movie
Me too, I've actually just finished watching it. :thumbup:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51rf%2BHx4dML._SX500_.jpg)
"Loose Screws" (1985)- T&A, the cast plays it's own theme song, bad asian stereotype, this flick has it all.
Better Off Dead - I can't believe I didn't include this one in the original post. This was definately a sleeper that became a cult favorite in the home video and cable markets.
What's interesting about this film is that it has the heart of movies like Repo Man, yet manages to have some 80's teen flick cliches thrown in. I love Better Off Dead. It's got one aspect that always bothers me, however. It happens once the french foreign exchange student starts speaking and we hear her horrible caricature accent. She went from adorable to excruciatingly annoying in 5 seconds. But the movie still rocks.
Quote from: Flick James on July 18, 2011, 08:20:26 AM
Better Off Dead - I can't believe I didn't include this one in the original post. This was definately a sleeper that became a cult favorite in the home video and cable markets.
What's interesting about this film is that it has the heart of movies like Repo Man, yet manages to have some 80's teen flick cliches thrown in. I love Better Off Dead. It's got one aspect that always bothers me, however. It happens once the french foreign exchange student starts speaking and we hear her horrible caricature accent. She went from adorable to excruciatingly annoying in 5 seconds. But the movie still rocks.
I thought she sounded cute still. It's the only movie I really liked (loved) Diane Franklin in. Better Off Dead shot straight into my top 5-6 films of all time once I had finally seen it. It just has an equal amount of intelligence and weirdness that raises it above the other 80s teen flicks in terms of comedy. I kind of get sad whenever I watch it now, because I was going through a rocky romantic period at the time of my first viewing and I don't want the film to end once 97mins approaches.
Quote from: Circus Circus on July 18, 2011, 01:05:17 PM
Quote from: Flick James on July 18, 2011, 08:20:26 AM
Better Off Dead - I can't believe I didn't include this one in the original post. This was definately a sleeper that became a cult favorite in the home video and cable markets.
What's interesting about this film is that it has the heart of movies like Repo Man, yet manages to have some 80's teen flick cliches thrown in. I love Better Off Dead. It's got one aspect that always bothers me, however. It happens once the french foreign exchange student starts speaking and we hear her horrible caricature accent. She went from adorable to excruciatingly annoying in 5 seconds. But the movie still rocks.
I thought she sounded cute still. It's the only movie I really liked (loved) Diane Franklin in. Better Off Dead shot straight into my top 5-6 films of all time once I had finally seen it. It just has an equal amount of intelligence and weirdness that raises it above the other 80s teen flicks in terms of comedy. I kind of get sad whenever I watch it now, because I was going through a rocky romantic period at the time of my first viewing and I don't want the film to end once 97mins approaches.
Don't get me wrong, I still love the movie. We just differ on the character. I will always have soft spot for Better Off Dead. We both have a sentimental attachment, it seems, although your may be a touch stronger.
:cheers:
If you're going to list Better Off Dead (and it definitely should be listed--I love that movie :teddyr:), you might also include One Crazy Summer, which has much the same spirit. It may not be quite as much fun, but it's hard not to like a movie that manages to set up a Godzilla scene, complete with a miniature city to destroy. And evil fuzzy bunnies.
Quote from: Derf on July 18, 2011, 03:41:16 PM
If you're going to list Better Off Dead (and it definitely should be listed--I love that movie :teddyr:), you might also include One Crazy Summer, which has much the same spirit. It may not be quite as much fun, but it's hard not to like a movie that manages to set up a Godzilla scene, complete with a miniature city to destroy. And evil fuzzy bunnies.
No problem with props to One Crazy Summer. I prefer Better Off Dead, but One Crazy Summer is a better guilty-pleasure movie.
One More Saturday Night (1986) - I discovered this movie at one of my video rental places back in the day. It was hidden in the last bottom row on the far right hanging sideways between the rack and the wall in the Comedy Section gathering dust. I guess people were too lazy to kneel all the way down.
The check out clerk told me I was the first to rent the movie. Fun and well made flick as I recall.
Gimme an 'F' (1984) - This one has sort of a reputation and following. Funny movie with a catchy soundtrack. Apparently there was a saucy, more explicit version that never saw the light of day.
You know what? I overlooked "Better Of Dead" too. I'ts become kind of a cult classic now, so I forgot that it did kind of fly under the radar when it was first released. I think it was one of the very best comedies of the 80's. It was certainly one of the most original. I think it was ahead of it's time. If it had been released right after something like "Napolean Dynamite" or "Scott Pilgrim" it would have been better recieved. In 1985 people may have found it a bit too quirky. But today it would fit right in.
Summer School (1986 or so) comes to mind. Mark Harmon takes a job as a high school gym teacher so he could have summers off. Lo and behold, through circumstance, he is forced to teach the Remedial English summer course for failing students.
He doesnt really care at first, attempts to quit, but pulls through. Most of the kids fail (except the guy who took the bathroom pass and disappeared for six weeks), however, it's a success as despite failing grades, each students marks went up from low 20s to mid 60s.
Is "Heathers" too above ground?
It's very funny by itself, but to watch it and imagine it being released ten years later is a trip.
Quote from: claws on July 26, 2011, 05:52:59 AM
Gimme an 'F' (1984) - This one has sort of a reputation and following. Funny movie with a catchy soundtrack. Apparently there was a saucy, more explicit version that never saw the light of day.
This one keeps turning up on Fox Movie Channel in the dead of night lately. I can't recall if I've ever seen it, been meaning to set my DVR for it next time it's coming on but haven't caught it yet. Is it worth a look?
One of my faves from "Back in the Day" that never got much love is "Moving Violations," starring John Murray (Bill Murray's brother) in his first (and perhaps only?) leading role...the cast also includes a very hot Jennifer Tilly, Fred Willard and a cameo by Clara "Where's the Beef?" Peller...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKU85IV0_Bw
The Last American Virgin (1981 or '82)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmsly1UOeMk
This is one that, while not totally unheard of, dosen't get a lot of airplay either.
It manages to capture the spirit of the early 80's in a way that the other films do, but also takes a sinister turn for the main character, Gary (Lawrence Monoson) as he winds up being brutally betrayed later on.
You really feel for him and walk away from the film somewhat angry over that betrayal, but not before a good hard dose of sadness kicks in. Highly recommended.
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on August 03, 2011, 02:50:26 PM
Quote from: claws on July 26, 2011, 05:52:59 AM
Gimme an 'F' (1984) - This one has sort of a reputation and following. Funny movie with a catchy soundtrack. Apparently there was a saucy, more explicit version that never saw the light of day.
This one keeps turning up on Fox Movie Channel in the dead of night lately. I can't recall if I've ever seen it, been meaning to set my DVR for it next time it's coming on but haven't caught it yet. Is it worth a look?
I would say yes. Just don't expect a masterpiece.
I also love "The Last American Virgin." It's true it doesn't get shown as much as it should. I think it's like a darker "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" in that it is a very realistic view of teen sexuality. Both of these movies show the consequences and heartbreak of being a teen, while other movies like "Porky's" only show the funny or sleazy side. Still I find "Better off Dead" the most personal to me. Except for being a skier, I was just like John Cusack's character of Lane Meyer. I was so obsessed with a girl, that I had pictures of her everywhere. I was also a day dreamer who drew cartoons. And I had more than one friend like Charles Demar.
One that often comes back to my mind is Can't Buy Me Love (1987) starring a very young Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson. A nerdy guy who desperately wants to be popular finds that the school's 'It Girl' is in desperate need of money. So he uses the money that he'd been saving to buy a telescope to hire her to pretend to be his girlfriend.
She reluctantly agrees, and soon it is on. She gives him a makeover, rips the sleeves off his shirt and runs mousse through his hair. She finds out that he's a lot of fun, and he finds out that she's got a secret creative side. But trouble strikes when her real boyfriend returns from college.
I haven't seen this movie since it was in the cinema in 1987, so my fond memories may be scattered if I ever see it again. But then, and now in my memory, it is a sweet and wellmade 80's film with a typical happy ending. And Amanda Peterson is HOT.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwWpaAWg6MM#)
Quote from: Circus Circus on July 16, 2011, 05:43:02 AM
Quote from: crackers on July 15, 2011, 12:51:24 PM
Quote from: Flick James on July 15, 2011, 11:02:23 AM
3 O'Clock High (1987): I love this movie. Jerry (Casey Siemaszko) is the typical awkward high school student who has a run-in with the new ultra tough guy (Richard Tyson) with a legendary bad reputation and temper to boot, and spends the entire day trying to avoid the scheduled showdown after school. This movie is genuinely hilarious and pretty well written. I never even heard of it until it made it's way to cable.
I love this movie
Me too, I've actually just finished watching it. :thumbup:
One of my favorite 80s movies, and very under the radar.
Another one that I thought of that I'm not sure qualifies as a comedy (although it does make me laugh quite a bit) is White Water Summer. Heh.
Perhaps straying from the original theme of teen comedies is another from 1987, The Woo Woo Kid. Called 'In The Mood' in America and The Woo Woo Kid elsewhere, it is a movie set in the 1940's and tells the true story of a 14 year old who became involved with a number of married women! It's another Patrick Dempsey movie like Can't Buy Me Love.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIQc8FVkObA#)
Okay, totally not a teen comedy from the 80's, but at least marginally related by actor and time it was made!
Quote from: 66Crush on August 07, 2011, 10:14:17 PM
I also love "The Last American Virgin." It's true it doesn't get shown as much as it should. I think it's like a darker "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" in that it is a very realistic view of teen sexuality. Both of these movies show the consequences and heartbreak of being a teen, while other movies like "Porky's" only show the funny or sleazy side. Still I find "Better off Dead" the most personal to me. Except for being a skier, I was just like John Cusack's character of Lane Meyer. I was so obsessed with a girl, that I had pictures of her everywhere. I was also a day dreamer who drew cartoons. And I had more than one friend like Charles Demar.
Indeed...very good take on The Last American Virgin. Y'know, being somewhat used to teen comedies by the time I was around 16 (1980) and seeing the other stuff that was out there, I knew there was a trainwreck waiting for the main character. Call it intutition, or whatever, but there was darker tone that set this one apart from it's peer films.
And, the way the movie ends is just perfect, because it leaves it right there and leaves the viewer wondering whatever happened afterward. Sometimes you don't need a definite ending..