One of the most successful directors of the 1980’s and easily the most well-known of teenage comedies was director, writer, and producer John Hughes. Hughes was born on February 18, 1950 in Lansing, Michigan. At age 13, he and his family moved to Chicago, Illinois, a city that would later play a significant role in his films. In 1968, he graduated from Glenbrook North High School and moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend Arizona State University. However, Hughes dropped out of college during his junior year and moved back to Chicago to start a career as an ad copywriter. Also, during this period, he attempted to write comedy, and began writing a story inspired by a disastrous family vacation he had as a kid. His story, titled, “Vacation 58”, landed him a job at National Lampoon Magazine. Importantly, his story became the basis for a film titled, National Lampoon’s Vacation, of which he also wrote the screenplay. The film, which was released in 1983, became a huge hit and put National Lampoon Magazine back on the map (Biography Channel).
In 1984, Hughes directed his first film, Sixteen Candles, a film about a teenage girl named Samantha Baker, who’s family forgets her 16th birthday. In addition to her family’s forgetfulness, she suffers numerous embarrassments on her would-be special day. The film was highly praised by critics and audiences alike. Furthermore, since Hughes tended to cast “no-name” actors and actresses and his films became successful, he launched the careers of several actors we know today. In the case of Sixteen Candles, he launched the career of actress Molly Ringwald, along with actors John Cusack and Anthony Michael Hall.
In 1984, Hughes directed his first film, Sixteen Candles, a film about a teenage girl named Samantha Baker, who’s family forgets her 16th birthday. In addition to her family’s forgetfulness, she suffers numerous embarrassments on her would-be special day. The film was highly praised by critics and audiences alike. Furthermore, since Hughes tended to cast “no-name” actors and actresses and his films became successful, he launched the careers of several actors we know today. In the case of Sixteen Candles, he launched the career of actress Molly Ringwald, along with actors John Cusack and Anthony Michael Hall.
Hughes (center) with stars of Sixteen Candles, Molly Ringwald (left) and John Cusack (right).
Hughes’s next film was The Breakfast Club, another film dealing with teenagers. The film centers on five high school students, each with very different social backgrounds, who meet up at school for a Saturday detention. The film was unique for the period in that the entire movie took place in one building—the school. As with Sixteen Candles, the film was critically acclaimed and praised by audiences. It was the second time Hughes cast Molly Ringwald and the third time he cast Anthony Michael Hall. After the release of the film, the term “Brat Pack” appeared, which referred to a group of actors that came of age during the ‘80s and were frequently cast together. The “Brat Pack” included Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Robe Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy.
Stars of The Breakfast Club and members of "the Brat Pack", from left to right: Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, and Anthony Michael Hall.
After The Breakfast Club, Hughes’s next major film was Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a film about a rebellious high schooler who decides to get his friends together and skip a day of school. As with Hughes’s previous works, (with the minor exception of Weird Science in 1985), the film was highly praised by critics and audiences. The film eventually was the pinnacle of Hughes’s career, and today is regarded as one of the most classic teen films of all time.
Hughes on set with Ferris Bueller's Day Off star Matthew Broderick.
After Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Hughes took a break from the teen genre and shifted to adults in Planes, Trains & Automobiles, a comedy film about a man (Steve Martin) trying to get home for Thanksgiving after accidentally running into an obnoxious stranger (John Candy). The film, which was again based on a terrible traveling experience by John Hughes, was well received by critics and audiences.
John Candy in Planes, Trains & Automobiles.
After Planes, Trains and Autombiles, Hughes rolled out two more films in the 80’s: She’s Having a Baby (1988) and Uncle Buck (1989). The films weren’t as well received by critics as Hughes’s previous films, but nonetheless registered well with audiences. Hughes, although he didn’t direct them, also wrote sequels to 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation, with Christmas Vacation in 1989 being the most successful.
After directing Uncle Buck, Hughes, who was impressed with the talent of a young, unknown Macaulay Culkin in the film, wrote a screenplay specifically for Culkin to star in---Home Alone. The film, which was released in 1990, became an instant Christmas classic, and spawned a sequel written by Hughes: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Home Alone also launched the career of Culkin, who went on to become the highest paid child actor of all time.
The last film Hughes directed was Curly Sue in 1991, which received generally negative critic and audience reviews. After the film, Hughes largely retreated from the film industry and from the public in general, even avoiding interviews or photographs He eventually moved to Wisconsin. Tragically, on August 6, 2009, while taking a walk in New York City, Hughes suffered a fatal heart attack, dying at age 59. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Ludwig, whom he married in 1970, and his two children (Biography Channel).
Hughes used several trademarks in his films. Perhaps most notably, he set almost all his films in Chicago, Illinois, the city he and his family moved to when he was 13. Hughes especially used Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to showcase the city. As previously mentioned, Hughes frequently cast the same actors or actresses, with examples being Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, and John Candy. Another trademark of Hughes was to end his films in freeze frame, as is evidenced by Planes, Trains & Autombiles and Uncle Buck (both of which end in freeze frames of John Candy). Finally, an interesting trademark of Hughes was to film close ups of two characters “locking eyes” with each other. Examples of this include Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Planes, Trains & Autombiles.
After directing Uncle Buck, Hughes, who was impressed with the talent of a young, unknown Macaulay Culkin in the film, wrote a screenplay specifically for Culkin to star in---Home Alone. The film, which was released in 1990, became an instant Christmas classic, and spawned a sequel written by Hughes: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Home Alone also launched the career of Culkin, who went on to become the highest paid child actor of all time.
The last film Hughes directed was Curly Sue in 1991, which received generally negative critic and audience reviews. After the film, Hughes largely retreated from the film industry and from the public in general, even avoiding interviews or photographs He eventually moved to Wisconsin. Tragically, on August 6, 2009, while taking a walk in New York City, Hughes suffered a fatal heart attack, dying at age 59. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Ludwig, whom he married in 1970, and his two children (Biography Channel).
Hughes used several trademarks in his films. Perhaps most notably, he set almost all his films in Chicago, Illinois, the city he and his family moved to when he was 13. Hughes especially used Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to showcase the city. As previously mentioned, Hughes frequently cast the same actors or actresses, with examples being Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, and John Candy. Another trademark of Hughes was to end his films in freeze frame, as is evidenced by Planes, Trains & Autombiles and Uncle Buck (both of which end in freeze frames of John Candy). Finally, an interesting trademark of Hughes was to film close ups of two characters “locking eyes” with each other. Examples of this include Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Planes, Trains & Autombiles.
BELOW are two examples of Hughes's trademark of shooting closeups of two characters "locking eyes" with each other.
Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey locking eyes in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Steve Martin and Kevin Bacon locking eyes in Planes, Trains & Automobiles.
In conclusion, John Hughes was a brilliant screenwriter and director who really "owned" the 1980s teen comedy genre. He was praised repeatedly by critics and audiences for somehow, without being a teenager himself, knowing what life was truly like for 80s teens. Furthermore, many actors and actresses today are indebted to him for launching their careers and putting them in the spotlight---most notably Macaulay Culkin and Molly Ringwald. Although his career took a tumble in the 1990’s, Hughes left a lasting legacy and will always be remembered for producing so many classic 80’s films that will stand for many generations to come.
Written by Anthony Watkins
WORKS CITED
“John Hughes.” The Biography Channel website. 2014. 27 Jan. 2014.
<http://www.biography.com/people/john-hughes-476258>.
Written by Anthony Watkins
WORKS CITED
“John Hughes.” The Biography Channel website. 2014. 27 Jan. 2014.
<http://www.biography.com/people/john-hughes-476258>.
