‘Pretty in Pink’ 35th Anniversary
John Hughes Hit Movie Celebrates 35
Pretty in Pink is another John Hughes movie that defines the teen movie genre of the ‘80s. It was a huge success: it brought in $40 million ($9 million budget), was a fan and critic favorite and is still talked about.
When Did Pretty in Pink Come Out?
“Pretty in Pink” was released February 28, 1986. Penned by John Hughes, directed by Howard Deutch, the movie was a big hit when it played in theaters.
Who Starred in Pretty in Pink?
Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy and Jon Cryer were the main players in the teen angst flick.
Ringwald played Andie, an awkward senior at a high school in Chicago. Duckie (Jon Cryer) was her quirky friend who often hung out at the record store, TRAX, with Andie and her boss Iona (Annie Potts, from Ghostbusters and Designing Women).
We discuss Duckie, including his real name, here.
Andrew McCarthy was Blane, a rich, popular guy who goes against school type and asks out Andie. James Spader, who had a thriving career afterwards (many movies, Boston Legal, the Black List and of course Robert California in The Office) was perfectly cast as the snobby Steff.
Revered actor Harry Dean Stanton played Andie’s dad, Jack.
Actors You Didn’t Know Were in Pretty in Pink
Gina Geshon, Andrew Dice Clay and Dweezil Zappa (who was dating Ringwald at the time) all made brief appearances.
Pretty in Pink Had a Different Ending
In the original ending, Andie ends up with Duckie. Wha?! Test audiences didn’t like this (according to the director, there were boos), so they reshot the ending.
Andrew McCarthy’s Hair at the Prom
Let’s be honest. Blane’s hair at the prom is a mess. It’s obvious. It’s a problem. At the time I remember wondering why Andrew McCarthy looked different in the prom scene. He’s suppose to be some suave guy and he looked disheveled. It looked like he was wearing a wig. But, there was no internet back then (I know, who can imagine) and it was just one of the mysteries of film making.
Years later I saw a reference to the alternative ending and they finally addressed the Andrew McCarthy hair issue. See, there is a positive reason for the internet after all (that, and online shopping).
McCarthy had already started preparing for another film and shaved his head. Eeek. Imagine what the producers thought when they realized not only did they have to reshoot part of the film, but a pivotal part of the whole movie. All that and Andrew McCarthy will have wonky hair.
Who Was the Girl at the End of Pretty in Pink?
Duckie catches the eye of a girl at the prom, played by Kristy Swanson (the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer). She is listed in the Pretty in Pink credits as “Duckette.” The director stated that this was added to the script to make Duckie leave the prom with his head held high (since he essential was rejected by Andie).
Which Came First: the Movie or the Song “Pretty in Pink?”
The Psychedelic Furs released the song “Pretty in Pink,” in 1981, many years before the release of the movie. The song found new life (and just missed the US Top 40, coming in at 41) when it was featured in the blockbuster movie. The rumor is that Ringwald liked the song and asked Hughes to make a movie about it.
Pretty in Pink in Pop Culture
Jon Cryer dressed as Duckie for an episode of Two and a Half Men, the sitcom he starred in for 12 years. Cobra Kai paid homage to Pretty in Pink in Season 2’s ‘80s night scene. Read all about it here. (Though people thought Robby was Dan Johnson, and not Steff).
Tell Us in Comments!
Should Andie have chosen Duckie? Does Pretty in Pink still hold up 35 years later?