John Hughes: A Tribute

Writer-director-producer John Hughes died this morning in Manhattan at the relatively young age of 59. Although he had not helmed a film since 1991 (he continued to write and produce, however), he was the unparalleled master of '80s teen flicks. Six of the eight movies he directed (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, She's Having a Baby, Uncle Buck) remain among my favorite films of tweenhood.

I never quite understood why he stopped directing after Curly Sue, although he continued to write and produce many TV and film projects. It was as if the '90s swept in and washed away his directorial creativity. Now that I'm a professional movie reviewer, I often see an adolescent-targeted movie and long for the Hughes movies of my youth.

Part of Hughes' legacy, in my opinion, is that so many people mistakenly think he directed all of the teen-oriented '80s movies like Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful, both of which he wrote but Howard Deutch directed.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Hughes' movies. I'd love to see yours.

John Bender: "Oh God, you richies are so smart, that's exactly why I'm not heavy into activities."

John Bender: "My impression of life at Big Bri's house, "Son?" "Yeah, Dad?" "How was your day, son?" "Great, Dad. How's yours?" "Super. Say, how would like to go fishing this weekend?" "Great, Dad. But I got homework to do." "That's okay, son. You can do it on the boat." "Gee." "Hon, isn't our son swell?" "Yes, dear. Isn't life swell?""

Andrew: "Just me. Just you and me. Two hits. Me hitting you. You hitting the floor. Anytime you're ready, pal."

John Bender: "Sweets. You couldn't ignore me if you tried. So... so. Are you guys like boyfriend-girlfriend? Steady dates? Lovers? Come on, sporto, level with me. Do you slip her the hot beef injection?"

Principal Rooney: "I did not achieve this position in life by having some snot-nosed punk leave my cheese out in the wind."

Ferris: "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Schoolgirl: "Um, he's sick. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious."

Jeannie: "Look, it's real nice that you hope my brother is feeling better, but I'm in danger, okay? I am very cute, very alone and very protective of my body. I don't want it violated or killed, all right? I need help! Speaka de English?"

Ferris: "Not that I condone fascism, or any -ism for that matter. -Ism's in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me." Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. I'd still have to bum rides off people."

Grandma: "Oh Sam, let me take a look at you. Fred, she's gotten her boobies."

Jake: "Happy birthday, Samantha. Make a wish." Samantha: "Well, it already came true."

Comments

[Emily]

I posted my favorite quote in my Facebook status yesterday. It's something that we say a lot in my house. "That's social. Demented and sad, but social."

[Patty]

Sandra, thanks for the tribute. I loved all of his movies and they definitely make me think of my teenage years. :)

[Wife and Mommy]

I have so many favorites...how can I choose?! Here's a handful:

Claire: You know, you look a lot better without all that black sh*t under your eyes.

Allison Reynolds: Hey, I like all that black sh*t... Why are you being so nice to me?

Claire: Because you're letting me.

~~~~~

Ginny: I really love Rudy. He is totally enamored of me. I mean, I've had other men love me before, but not for six months in a row.

~~~~~

The Geek: This information cannot leave this room. Ok? It would devastate my reputation as a dude.

Samantha: No problem.

The Geek: I've never bagged a babe. I'm not a stud.

~~~~~

Samantha: I loathe the bus. There has to be a more dignified mode of transportation.

~~~~~

Jake: Open the door.
Long Duk Dong: No way, Jose!
Jake: Open the door.
Long Duk Dong: You beat up my face.
Jake: You grabbed my nuts.
Long Duk Dong: [looks through frosted glass on door] Is that you?
Jake: Yeah, that me.

~~~~~

[Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama]

This is a great tribute with fabulous quotes! John Hughes movies were such a part of my growing up and will always be classics to me. Thanks! :)

[Cara]

I loved all of the John Hughes' movies. They defined my adolescence and like you, remain among my all-time favorites. I wish there were movie makers like him around today.

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such as forgetting to John Hughes, who has not seen THE BREAKFAST CLUB and remember that time in which good actors were in the prime of his youth, is a shame that John has left us early.