For those who grew up in the 1980s, John Hughes’ films such as Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, Some Kind of Wonderful, and The Breakfast Club offered a lens into the trials and tribulations of teenage life. The stories of unreciprocated affection, social class disparities, and the complexities of high school hierarchies resonated deeply with many of us.
As Pretty in Pink celebrates its 30th anniversary, it’s the perfect time to revisit this classic, featuring Molly Ringwald as the relatable Andie, Andrew McCarthy as the charming Blane, Jon Cryer as the endearing Duckie, and James Spader as the despicable Steff. Here are some intriguing facts that you may not know about this iconic film:
- While Jon Cryer is now synonymous with the role of Duckie, producers initially considered Anthony Michael Hall for the part. Hall declined, fearing typecasting as the geeky character. Robert Downey, Jr. was also considered, but ultimately, Cryer secured the role.
- Although the character of Andie was tailored for Molly Ringwald, she initially turned down the offer. Other candidates included Jodie Foster, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tatum O’Neal, and several others. Ringwald finally accepted the role after hearing about the producers’ struggles to replace her.
- Ironically, Pretty in Pink is now Ringwald’s favorite film among her body of work.
- James Spader, known for his villainous roles, opted to play Steff instead of the more amiable Blane. Interestingly, Charlie Sheen also auditioned for Blane’s character.
- The film’s memorable new wave soundtrack ranked No. 11 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 25 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time.
- Hughes was inspired to create Pretty in Pink after Ringwald shared the title of a Psychedelic Furs song with him. He completed the screenplay shortly after finishing Sixteen Candles.
- Jon Cryer recently reprised his iconic Duckie dance on The Late Late Show. Notably, he missed the chance to audition for Chandler Bing on Friends due to a customs issue while in the U.K.
- Both Pretty in Pink and Grease were filmed at the same high school in Los Angeles.
- In the original conclusion, Andie was supposed to end up with Duckie, but test audiences preferred the pairing of Andie and Blane, prompting Hughes to reshoot the ending.
- Hughes was concerned that the original ending might imply that individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds shouldn’t be together. When the reshoot occurred, McCarthy had undergone significant changes for another role, which is why he appears different in the final scenes.
- Despite their on-screen tension, Ringwald reportedly had a crush on Spader during filming.
It’s interesting to consider how the fate of beloved films often hinges on unexpected events and decisions. Would Pretty in Pink have achieved such iconic status if Andie had ended up with Duckie, or had someone other than Molly Ringwald played her? It’s a good thing that everything unfolded as it did. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to grab some popcorn.
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