In Nashville, they say that a country singer isn't truly a legend until a country singer mentions him or her in a song.
In Hollywood, you've reached that status when your name appears on the silver screen in a spoof.
John Hughes is synonymous with 1980's popular culture, and did so much for the development of the teen film genre of that era that Not Another Teen Movie Movie, which conflated all of Hughes' trademarks into one over-the-the top concoction, sent his characters to "John Hughes High School." That is some righteous homage-ing, right there.
He had at least something to do with most of the non-action milestone movies of the era: Pretty in Pink. Sixteen Candles. The Breakfast Club. Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Weird Science. Mr. Mom. Well, and Home Alone 4. And Beethovens 1 through 5. But still! Here's a man who seems to have earned his Beethovens.
While doing some research recently, I came across this newspaper article from 1986. Go ahead and click. You'll sink into some weapons- grade nostalgia right down to your knees. By scrolling down the article, you'll see a newspaper ad for a new film called Pretty in Pink, which apparently opens the same day as the hideous- sounding My Chauffeur and even more hideous House. Moviemaking is sometimes lightning in a bottle, but even more often it's likable characters in the right place at the right time. Oh, and maybe with a little bit of help from an MTV premier special.
RIP, John Hughes. You helped to preserve an era-- all the high hair, all the hats, all the enormous boomboxes. This '80's baby is grateful for the 90 minute time machines.
